NSFAS applications officially open amid fears of rejection

Some matric learners applying for financial aid through the NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) say they faced major challenges using the online application portal.

The students were at the University of Pretoria’s Mamelodi campus on Tuesday, seeking support to secure funding for their 2026 tertiary studies.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube, visited the campus alongside NSFAS officials to oversee the start of the application process.

However, learners from various Mamelodi schools raised concerns about the portal’s accessibility, citing a lack of mobile data, poor internet access, and difficulty navigating the platform as key obstacles.

“The system needs someone who understands it. I was able to do it with the assistance of an adult. I don’t have a phone or data. I needed help with Wi-Fi and I didn’t get the numbers and codes used on the system too,” said one learner.

NSFAS confirmed that within just a few hours of the portal going live, over 17,000 applications had already been received.

Some learners expressed concern that the high number of applicants could hurt their chances of receiving funding.

“I have doubts because so many people applied. They might choose others instead of me. I hope they accept me, but it feels like there are just too many of us,: said Botshelo Mogajane, a matric learner from Tsako Thabo Secondary School.

She is among more than 15,000 first-time applicants, with NSFAS receiving around one million applications annually.

Deputy Minister Dube-Ncube, acknowledged that NSFAS continues to face funding limitations and said the department often has to reprioritize existing funds to meet students’ financial needs.

She added that the department will only be able to determine the total financial allocation after the application period closes on 15 November.

The department also noted a rising preference among learners for university studies, while interest in TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) and CET (Community Education and Training) colleges remains lower.

Some learners say the financial aid scheme is their only hope for studying further.

One learner, Simphiwe Skhosana, says her mom is the only bread winner in a house feeding several mouths.

“I stay with my mom, and she supports the family with what little she earns. I braid hair to help out, but without NSFAS, I won’t be able to go to school. My mom already feeds so many mouths,” she said.

NSFAS aims to reduce fraudulent applications by partnering with SASSA (South African Social Services Agency) and the Department of Home Affairs for verification and data sharing.

The department has previously reported instances where students provided false information to fraudulently access NSFAS funding.

Despite these challenges, most learners at Monday’s application event said they had successfully submitted both their NSFAS applications and applications to tertiary institutions — and are now waiting anxiously for feedback.

Deputy Minister Dr Nomusa Dube-Ncube at the Step-by-Step Programme:
“Today is about action—ensuring every learner can apply for NSFAS, access support & secure their future. No learner left behind.”@DM_DHET_DubeN #StepByStepProgramme #NSFAS #HigherEducation #2026Applications pic.twitter.com/zmTY25rQ7M

— HigherEducationZA (@HigherEduGovZA) September 16, 2025

Written by: Odirile Rabalao