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How many students are funded by NSFAS is a question you’ll ask yourself if you are looking at applying to this goldmine of funding. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has continually played a vital role in the lives of many students in South Africa. This is because it makes it easier for everyone who plans to go to school or pursue their higher education. Students are able to apply for this funding by going through the application process and getting accepted into the scheme.

In this article, we are going to explore all the ways there is to know how many students this particular scheme is funding in the 2025/2026 academic year. Continue reading to find out more.

How Many Students Are Funded By NSFAS 2025

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has made it possible for lots of students to pursue higher education in South Africa. This is because it provides support in a way of money to students who go through the application process and make it as a member of the scheme. In 2025, it is estimated that the NSFAS looks forward to  receiving between 700,000 and 800,000 applications, with over 170,000 already received. NSFAS aims to expand its reach to support more students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. They have already made initial payments to students at 18 TVET colleges who had registered.

What Percentage Of Students Are Funded By NSFAS?

As previously mentioned, the NSFAS main goal is to provide students with funding to enable them to foot their university and TVET education. Every year, it is estimated that NSFAS looks forward to  receiving between 700,000 and 800,000 applications, with over 170,000 already received. NSFAS aims to expand its reach to support more students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

They have already made initial payments to students at 18 TVET colleges who had registered. The percentage of students funded under the NSFAS scheme in 2025 is (660,000 / 1,700,000) × 100 ≈ 38.8%.  It is therefore noted that 38.8% of students are enrolled in TVET colleges and public universities in the 2025 academic year.

How Many Students Use NSFAS?

The national Student financial aid scheme has continually played a vital role in the lives of many students in South Africa. This is because it makes it easier for everyone who plans to go to school or pursue their higher education. Students are able to apply for this funding by going through the application process and getting accepted into the scheme. As of 2023, it was estimated that the NSFAS has supported and funded about one million students in South Africa.

READ ALSO: How To Upload NSFAS Supporting Documents

This means that the number of students who use NSFAS is about one million students. This has more likely increased in subsequent years. In the coming years, it will increase so much as many people keep signing on to the scheme.

Is NSFAS Increasing in 2025?

The question of whether NSFAS is going to increase their allowances in the year 2025 has been something on the minds of many people. This is because, cost of living has become rather expensive not only in South Africa but all over the world. Allowances that would cater for a host of things two or three years ago cannot do the same this year hence there is a need for the NSFAS to increase the allowance. Well, the good news is that the NSFAS has increased the allowances.

This was communicated by the Minister for the Department of Higher Education. Now, you have no reason not to apply to the scheme. It should however be noted that, although there is going to be an increase, it does not mean that what the scheme will give you as a monthly allowance will be enough for you. You may still have to get another stream of income.

How Many Students Are Funded By NSFAS In total?

As established earlier, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is there to provide funding for students who are all in South Africa. They ought to be South Africans to enjoy the benefits that come with being on the scheme. This scheme has made it possible, in a way, has leveled the playing field in the sense that lots of students who are interested in pursuing higher education can now go ahead and apply to universities and TVET colleges. Once they apply for the NSFAS, they will be able to get funding for the studies. It may not be enough to cater for all your expenses as a student but it is still something.

 As of 2023, the NSFAS had funded close to 1.3 students in South Africa. These students include those in Public universities and those in TVET colleges. In 2024, the NSFAS was projected to have funded 1.1 million students in that particular academic year. Since 2013, the NSFAS has funded over 2 million students in South Africa.

How Many Beneficiaries Does NSFAS Have?

Given the number of students who go through the scheme every year, we can conclude that NSFAS has lots and lots of beneficiaries. These beneficiaries are people or students who applied under the scheme, qualified and now enjoy the benefits that come with the scheme in the form of allowances that are issued out every month. In 2024, the NSFAS was projected to have funded 1.1 million students in that particular academic year. Since 2013, the NSFAS has funded over 2 million students in South Africa.  NSFAS had funded close to 1.3 students in South Africa. These students include those in Public universities and those in TVET colleges. 

READ ALSO: How Much Is NSFAS Allowance Per Month

According to sources, NSFAS receives a host of applicants every year when the application portal is opened.  This has made it one of the largest funding schemes in the whole of Africa.

What Is The Maximum Amount Of NSFAS Funding?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is a funding scheme in South Africa that is focused on providing financial assistance for students who are willing and ready to pursue their higher education. The funding is in categories and it differs depending on the circumstances of the applicant. It is the same with TVET students as well. Here is a breakdown of the scheme’s funding;

University Students

• Learning Materials Allowance: Up to R5,460 per year
  
• Accommodation Allowance:
  University-managed and catered residences: Up to R61,500 per year.
  Private or off-campus accommodation: Capped at R45,000 per year.
• Living Allowance: R16,500 per year, distributed as R1,650 per month over 10 months.
  

TVET College Students

• Accommodation Allowance:
  College-managed catered residences: Up to R54,045 per year.
  Private accommodation: Capped at R45,000 per year.
  Living Allowance: R6,000 per year.
  Personal Care Allowance: R3,045 per year.
  Transport Allowance: R7,718 per year for students living within 10 km of their college

It must always be noted that these allowances are designated to take care of the beneficiary’s basic needs and not other expenses that may be incurred by the beneficiary.

Conclusion

The NSFAS main goal is to make it easier for students to foot their tertiary education by providing funding for them. This funding comes in the form of allowances that is issued every term from February to November. Student beneficiaries who are in the university receive the allowances in their banks whereas TVET students receive the allowances in their NSFAS wallet.

READ ALSO: When Is NSFAS Opening Late Application For 2025

The NSFAS has funded a lot of students in South African.  In 2024, the NSFAS was projected to have funded 1.1 million students in that particular academic year. Since 2013, the NSFAS has funded over 2 million students in South Africa.

FAQS

What  is the number of students NSFAS funds?

As of 2023, the NSFAS had funded close to 1.3 students in South Africa. These students include those in Public universities and those in TVET colleges. In 2024, the NSFAS was projected to have funded 1.1 million students in that particular academic year. Since 2013, the NSFAS has funded over 2 million students in South Africa.

How many NSFAS applications were received in the 2025/2026 academic year?

Every year, a lot of students apply to the National Students Financial Aid Scheme because it affords students a rare opportunity for them to pursue higher education. For a student to qualify for the NSFAS, they have to be enrolled in a public university or TVET college and must have gone through the application process to be accepted. In 2025, it is estimated that about 738,117 applied to the NSFAS.

What is NSFAS?

This article is all about NSFAS late application dates. However, it is reasonable for the audience to know what NSFAS is all about. What it stands for, what they do and everything that comes into play when students are applying to enjoy the benefits that come with this scheme. 

NSFAS stands for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. The NSFAS is a South African government initiative or program that has its main focus pinned on providing financial assistance to South African students who are eligible. It must be noted that, if you want to enjoy the benefits that come with NSFAS, you must make sure that you are attending either a public university or a TVET college. NSFAS does not cover private tuition.

What Is The Total Funding Allocated For NSFAS in 2025?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is a funding scheme in South Africa that is focused on providing financial assistance for students who are willing and ready to pursue their higher education. The funding is in categories and it differs depending on the circumstances of the applicant. It is the same with TVET students as well. In 2025, it has been estimated that R37.9 billion were allocated to support or provide funding for eligible students who are beneficiaries of the scheme.

How Do I Know What NSFAS Covers?

These are the number of things the National Student Financial Aid Scheme covers;

• NSFAS also covers the cost of living. This comes in the form of allowances that can potentially cover food, toiletries, and other basic things.
• NSFAS also covers transport. The program provides a designated amount of money to student beneficiaries to cater to their transportation needs.
• A set amount for purchasing textbooks, stationery, and other study materials.
• A designated amount of money is also set aside for food. Student beneficiaries are paid this money, which is allocated to take care of the food needs.
• They cover your full tuition fee at the university or TVET college. This means that you don’t have to worry about how you are going to foot your tuition.
• They equally cover students’ accommodation. This would either be private accommodation, which is typically up to a limit, or a public hostel.

Is NSFAS Available For Postgraduate Students?

NSFAS main goal is to provide funding for students who are ready to pursue higher education whether in a TVET college or public university. However, the NSFAS does not provide funding for Postgraduate students. If you are a graduate student looking for funding for postgraduate studies, then you would have to look elsewhere for that funding because the NSFAS will not provide or allocate funding for that.

Does NSFAS Open Applications For Late Application?

Yes, the NSFAS opens a window for late application. This is to enable those who were unable to apply for the first time to apply again.

READ ALSO: How To Write An NSFAS Appeal Letter And Form