R1.3 Billion Upfront Payments to Universities For Registration

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R1.3 Billion Upfront Payments to Universities For Registration

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has paid R1, 3 billion to 26 public universities, a figure set aside to advance payment of registration fees for students from disadvantaged backgrounds so that they can be admitted for their studies.

This payment equates to at least 15% of total and final budget that each university may get for enrolling students, who are eligible for government funding when a final reconciliation of the numbers of enrolled students is confirmed at the end of the registration period.

NSFAS spokesperson, Kagisho Mamabolo says they expect universities to work with them to ensure that registration of funded students goes as smooth as possible because government has confirmed funding.

“All returning students, who were funded in 2016, should not panic as they will automatically be funded in 2026 without having to apply for financial aid, provided they have signed the agreement form for financial assistance and they have passed at least 50% of their enrolled modules”.

Over 160 000 students have been approved for funding, and NSFAS is confident that there will not be any student turned away, who has secured space, because of lack of funding.

“We expect that our students will be treated fairly and not be discriminated against based on their backgrounds,” he said.

While there are still some students who have not received confirmatory SMSes from NSFAS, Mr Mamabolo has reassured the public, saying “the Scheme will continue to approve more students every day and is expected to finalise all applications by close of business on 27 January 2026”.

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Applications for funding for university students are now officially closed, and there will be no extension, while TVET college students still have until midnight 14 February 2026 to submit their applications.

NSFAS management is expected to address the nation on the 2026 financial aid statistics awarded to students at universities and TVET colleges, by next week.

Issued by

Marketing and Communications Department
23 January 2026, Cape Town

Media Liaison Office:
Mr Tsepo Khanye, 079 348 0894 or 021 763 3200
Mr Siphe Matomela, 074 851 5277
Email: media@nsfas.org.za

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