The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is still reviewing funding applications for the 2025 academic year, despite the application period closing more than six months ago and the academic year already reaching its halfway point. Thousands of students remain in limbo, waiting for clarity on whether they will receive financial support.
According to NSFAS, several factors have contributed to the delay in processing and confirming student funding, including application errors, late registration confirmations, and limited funding availability for appeals.
Over 1 Million Applications Received – But Not All Approved
For the 2025 academic year, NSFAS received a total of 1,047,618 applications. Of these:
- 857,881 applications were approved
- 124,116 applications were rejected
- 78,081 students submitted appeals after rejection
The remaining applicants are still being reviewed, with many facing uncertainty over their academic future due to pending funding decisions.
Key Funding Challenges in 2025
1. Applications Submitted in the Wrong Window
NSFAS confirmed that more than 12,800 university students applied during the TVET college application window, resulting in a block on their funding—even though their registration data was submitted.
NSFAS has not yet confirmed whether it will fund these students. If approved, it would cost the scheme over R730 million.
2. Late Registration Data
Students whose registration status was only confirmed after the deadline are currently experiencing delays in receiving allowances and tuition coverage. NSFAS requires verified registration data from institutions before funding can begin.
3. NSFAS Appeal Processing
From the 78,081 appeals:
- 34,645 students have successfully appealed
- 13 students had their appeals rejected
- Around 5,000 students must still upload outstanding documents for NSFAS to finalise their appeal decisions
However, funding for successful appeals depends on budget availability. NSFAS warns that if there is no funding available, some approved students may still not receive support.
Joint Statement: Commitment to Resolution
In a recent joint statement with the Department of Higher Education and Training, NSFAS acknowledged the ongoing issues and pledged to resolve them swiftly:
“We remain committed to ensuring that all eligible students have access to the funding necessary to continue their studies without undue disruption. We appreciate the patience and understanding of students and stakeholders as we work diligently to resolve these issues swiftly.”
Efforts include:
- Reviewing students who applied during the TVET cycle
- Allocating resources for late registrations
- Exploring additional funding for approved appeals
Final Thoughts
While NSFAS has made progress in funding the majority of 2025 applicants, thousands of students still face uncertainty due to delays in processing, budget constraints, and administrative hurdles. The outcome of these pending reviews will impact not only the current academic year but also students’ ability to continue their education.
Students are advised to regularly check their NSFAS portal, respond promptly to document requests, and stay in touch with their institution’s financial aid office.
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