The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has officially confirmed that all 2026 funding decisions have been finalised, alongside important updates on 2025 mop-up payments. The announcement was made through a media statement issued on Friday, 02 January 2026, providing clarity to both first-time entering students and continuing students across South Africa.
This update is particularly significant as institutions prepare for the 2026 academic year and matriculants await their final results.
NSFAS confirms completion of 2026 funding decisions
NSFAS confirmed that all 2026 funding applications were processed before the start of the academic year, in line with its commitment to finalise decisions by 31 December 2025.
All applicants can now view their funding status via the NSFAS Portal.
2026 NSFAS application outcomes: first-time entering students
NSFAS released a detailed breakdown of outcomes for first-time entering students:
| Application Status | Number of Applications |
|---|---|
| Qualifying for financial aid | 609,403 |
| Rejected applications | 49,538 |
| Incomplete (awaiting documents) | 218,043 |
| Withdrawn / cancelled | 16,863 |
| Total processed | 893,847 |
Important note for first-time students
Even if you qualify financially, funding confirmation still depends on proof of admission from a higher education institution. In most cases, this confirmation can only be completed after matric results are released.
Incomplete applications: what students must do
Applications marked as “in process” or “incomplete” indicate that supporting documents are still outstanding.
NSFAS has already sent notifications to affected students, clearly stating what documents are required. Common missing documents include:
- Parental or guardian consent forms
- Household income verification documents
- Correctly completed and signed NSFAS Declaration Form
⏰ Important deadline:
Students have 30 days from the date of notification to upload the required documents. Applications that remain incomplete after 30 days will be declared unsuccessful.
NSFAS outcomes for continuing students (universities)
NSFAS also released figures for continuing university students:
| Academic Progress Status | Number of Students |
|---|---|
| Met academic progression criteria | 416,688 |
| Did not meet progression criteria | 129,264 |
| Total assessed | 545,952 |
Only university students are included in these figures. NSFAS confirmed that TVET college results will be released on 13 January 2026, after which TVET funding decisions will be finalised.
2026 NSFAS appeals process now open
NSFAS confirmed that all rejected students, whether first-time entrants or continuing students, have the right to appeal.
Key appeal rules:
- Appeals must be submitted promptly after receiving your funding outcome
- Students are given 30 days to submit all supporting documents
- Incomplete appeals will not be processed
- Missing the 30-day window results in forfeiture of the appeal
NSFAS stated that the 2026 appeals process has been streamlined to ensure fairness and faster decision-making.
2025 NSFAS mop-up payments update
NSFAS also addressed outstanding 2025 mop-up payments, confirming that:
- Many outstanding claims to institutions and accommodation providers have been cleared
- Where short payments remain, NSFAS is actively working with providers
- Accommodation providers are encouraged to lodge claims through official NSFAS channels
This process aims to stabilise funding systems ahead of the 2026 academic year.
Message to the Class of 2025
As the 2025 matriculation class awaits the release of results, NSFAS extended words of encouragement, acknowledging the resilience, dedication, and perseverance shown by learners.
NSFAS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting students in pursuing higher education and training, regardless of outcomes.
What students should do now
✔ Log in to the NSFAS portal and check your funding status
✔ Upload all outstanding documents immediately if your application is incomplete
✔ Watch out for appeal notifications and deadlines
✔ First-time students must ensure institutional admission is confirmed
✔ TVET students should check results again after 13 January 2026
NSFAS contact details
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Media enquiries: media@nsfas.org.za
- Website: www.nsfas.org.za