Who Funds NSFAS 2026

Who Funds NSFAS 2026

If you’re planning to study at a university or TVET college in South Africa in 2026, you might be wondering who pays for NSFAS. This is a good question because understanding how NSFAS is funded helps explain how it continues to support so many students each year. The main source of funding for NSFAS comes from the South African government. Specifically, it’s funded through the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Each year, the government sets aside a large budget to help students from low-income households get access to higher education.

This shows just how serious the government is about investing in the country’s future through education. But the government isn’t the only supporter. NSFAS also works with other partners to keep the program going. These include other government departments, private companies, and even some non-profit organizations. Together, they help fund special bursary programmes for specific fields of study or certain groups of students.

Thanks to these combined efforts, NSFAS can provide financial assistance that covers tuition fees, accommodation, textbooks, and even living expenses. So, when we talk about who funds NSFAS in 2026, it’s not just one organization—it’s a network of contributors all working together to help students succeed. This kind of support is essential for giving everyone a fair chance to reach their academic goals.

Learn more: Will NSFAS Fund Education In 2026?

NSFAS Funders

NSFAS funders are government departments (national, provincial, and local), government agencies, Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs), private companies, and philanthropic organizations that have signed an agreement with NSFAS to provide funding for loans and bursaries administered through NSFAS. NSFAS has formed and cultivated relationships with a variety of industry stakeholders throughout the years. These ties must be nurtured, and new partnerships/relationships formed to leverage and utilize fresh funding.

NSFAS Funding Sources 2026

NSFAS receives funding from the following;

South African Government:

The South African government is a major source of funding for NSFAS. The government devotes a considerable percentage of its budget to higher education, with a particular emphasis on assisting students who cannot afford to pay for their studies. This financial assistance helps you fund education, accommodation, and other necessary expenses.

Other Funding Partners Working with NSFAS

NSFAS doesn’t work alone. It also helps manage bursary programs funded by different government departments and organisations. These partnerships help support even more students, especially those studying in high-demand fields or coming from challenging backgrounds. Here’s a breakdown of who some of these partners are:

Funza Lushaka (Department of Basic Education):

• This bursary is for students who want to become teachers.
• It helps encourage young people to join the teaching profession. NSFAS has been handling the funds for this program since 2007.

National Skills Fund (NSF):

• This fund supports students from low-income households who are studying for careers where skilled workers are in short supply.
• It focuses on critical and scarce skills, as identified in the Skills Development Act of 1998.

Department of Employment and Labour (COID):

• This bursary is for people who are permanently disabled due to work-related injuries or diseases, as well as for their children or dependents.
• It also helps young people studying in fields related to COID’s work.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) – DHET Reparations:

• This program offers educational support to victims of past human rights violations, including their family members and dependents.

Department of Military Veterans (DMV):

• This bursary supports military veterans and their dependents who are listed in the DMV database and qualify for financial aid.
• NSFAS has helped manage this bursary since 2013.

Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD):

• This bursary supports students interested in agriculture, forestry, and fisheries.
• It helps grow skills in these important sectors, and NSFAS has been working with DALRRD for years.

Learn more: Can A 35 -Year -Old Apply For NSFAS?

Rural Education Access Programme (REAP):

• REAP is a non-profit group that helps young people from rural communities get into university or college.
• NSFAS works with REAP to help these students cover costs like tuition, accommodation, and daily living.

Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs):

• SETAs focus on helping young people and adults develop the skills they need for work. They often support students who fall into the “missing middle”—those who aren’t poor enough to get government aid but still can’t afford studies.
• Some SETAs use NSFAS to handle the bursaries, like the Wholesale and Retail SETA and the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing SETA.

Eligibility Criteria for NSFAS Funding

To qualify for NSFAS funding, applicants must meet specific criteria:

• All South African citizens
• All SASSA grant recipients qualify for funding
• Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350,000 per annum
• Person with disability: Combined household income must not be more than R600,000 per annum
• Students who started studying before 2018, whose household income is not more than R122,000 per annum.

NSFAS Contact  Details

• Email: info@nsfas.org.za
• Facebook: National Student Financial Aid Scheme
• Twitter: @myNSFAS
• Instagram: @myNSFAS
• WhatsApp: +27 78 519 8006
• USSD:*120*67327#

Government allocations, gifts, repayments, investments, borrowing, partnerships, and institutional contributions all contribute to NSFAS’s funding. This diverse financing strategy guarantees that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme can continue to fulfil its essential objective of providing financial support to South African students in need. Visit the official website of NSFAS for more information.

RELATED LINKS