Walter Sisulu University NSFAS REGISTRATION FOR THE 2026

By | January 27, 2024

Walter Sisulu University NSFAS REGISTRATION FOR THE 2026

NSFAS Registration for the 2026 academic year

The purpose of this document is to set out procedures to be followed when students wish to register for the 2026 academic year.

 

NEW STUDENTS:

 

As of 23 January 2026, NSFAS has processed a total of 7 189 applications. The status of these applications are as follows:

 

Provisionally approved                                         1 413

Unfunded & qualify for funding                            2 387

Awaiting evaluation (2nd round applicants)         3 121

Rejected Poor academic results                                152

Rejected Financially ineligible                                     17

Awaiting Ranking and Funding                                   23

Application withdrawn                                                 33

Application Rejected                                                   43

 

All new students who have applied and have been provisionally approved by NSFAS may register without payment of the MIP. A list of these students has been supplied by NSFAS and has been made available to Financial Aid Offices.

 

New Students who applied, qualified but are unfunded will be allowed to register without paying the Minimum Initial Payment (MIP).

 

All new students who applied for NSFAS between 9 and 20 January 2026 and are awaiting evaluation and are from quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools will be allowed to register without paying the MIP. These students will only be eligible for allowances once NSFAS has assessed their applications.

 

New students who can provide adequate proof of full bursary funding for 2026 may register without paying the MIP.

 

New students with only partial bursary funding must pay the MIP as stated below.

 

All other new students who do not fall in the above categories must pay the MIP.

 

RETURNING STUDENTS:

 

All NSFAS qualifying students who were registered in 2016 and meet the academic progression requirements may be registered for the 2026 academic year. They will be supported through funding from NSFAS. These students do not have to pay the MIP. NSFAS will make an upfront payment to the university in respect of these students.

 

Students with outstanding debts who are not fully funded for 2026 must, pay the MIP and sign an Acknowledgment of Debt wherein they make a commitment to reduce their debts. All students owing more than R50 000 must pay at least 20% of the outstanding debts. Fees office must review the students fee account and their academic records.

 

NSFAS has in November and December 2016 made available further funding which covers all students who previously fell into the unfunded/insufficient category. These students have been invited to sign their loan forms. Once these students have signed the forms and they meet the NSFAS academic progression criteria they will be allowed to register without payment of the MIP. These students must sign their 2016 loan application forms before they can be allowed to register.

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NSFAS has also agreed that we may submit claims for students with Historic Debt who were not included on the initial list. Once these students have signed the loan form and they meet the academic progression criteria they will be allowed to register without payment of the MIP.

 

NSFAS students with Historic Debt who do not qualify for the debt relief (eg those who failed, or their fees exceeded the maximum loan, had to pay an own contribution, etc.) must sign an Acknowledgement of Debt to make arrangements to settle those outstanding fees.

 

Students who can provide adequate proof of full bursary funding for 2026 may register without paying the MIP. If they have Historic Debt they must complete an Acknowledgement of debt wherein they make payment arrangements.

 

Students with only partial bursary funding must pay the MIP as stated above.

 

All other students who do not fall in the above categories must pay the MIP.

 

Minimum initial payment (MIP)

 

Council at its meeting in November 2016 has set the MIP for 2026 as follows:

 

Student not in residence:        R3 900

Students in residence:            R5 540

 

These amounts are unchanged from 2016.

 

APPEALS:

 

Academically deserving students who feel that their personal circumstances have not been properly assessed may appeal to the Executive Director Student Affairs and will be assessed by an Appeals Committee.

 

 

Prepared by:

 

 

 

AJ de Wet

Acting Chief Financial Officer

24 January 2026

Need Information or Confused about Something ?

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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

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This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.


📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.
  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.


💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).


🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.


🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information


📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.