Johannesburg – The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received more than one million applications for the 2027 funding cycle, surpassing the total recorded for the previous academic year.
The figure exceeds the more than 800,000 applications received for the 2026 academic year, highlighting continued demand for financial assistance among prospective students seeking to study at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
NSFAS has urged applicants to submit their applications before the 31 October deadline, warning that no extensions will be granted.
Spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said applicants must check the requirements that apply to their individual circumstances and ensure all supporting documents are submitted correctly.
🚨 MEDIA STATEMENT | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 🇿🇦
🎓 NSFAS SURPASSES 1 MILLION APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2027 FUNDING CYCLE! 🎉📢
🧡💛 The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has officially recorded OVER 1 MILLION APPLICATIONS for the 2027 funding cycle! 🙌🏽
📢 As we enter the final days of the application period, the NSFAS Board joins the Final Push Outreach Programme, strengthening efforts to reach prospective students across South Africa, particularly in rural communities, townships and underserved areas.
⏳ IMPORTANT REMINDER!
📅 Applications close on 31 OCTOBER 2026.
🚫 NO EXTENSIONS WILL BE GRANTED!
✅ Apply before the deadline.
📄 Upload all required supporting documents.
🔍 Review your application to ensure all information is accurate and complete.
📲 Apply now: https://t.co/IH7OiT8sXy
💛 NSFAS calls on learners, parents, guardians, educators and communities to help spread the message and ensure that no eligible prospective student misses this opportunity.
📢 Applying for NSFAS funding is FREE!
📰 Read the full media statement below.
🎓 Funding Dreams. Empowering Futures. 🧡💛
#NSFAS2027 #1MillionApplications #NSFAS #FinalPush #StudentFunding #FundingDreamsEmpoweringFutures #HigherEducation
— NSFAS (@myNSFAS) October 28, 2026
“The application period closes on 31 October 2026, and there will be NO extensions,” Mnisi said.
“Prospective applicants are urged to submit their applications before the closing date to avoid last-minute challenges and ensure that their applications are received within the stipulated period.”
Prospective students can apply through the official NSFAS website or the NSFAS mobile application.
Applicants who need to provide supporting documents must upload them through the official application platform.
The scheme warned that missing documents, incomplete information or incorrect details could affect the verification and processing of applications.
NSFAS has encouraged prospective students not to wait until the final hours to submit their applications, as last-minute technical difficulties could complicate the process.
The NSFAS Board will participate in an outreach programme aimed at helping prospective students access accurate information and submit their applications before the deadline.
The initiative will focus particularly on rural communities, townships and areas where access to application assistance and information may be limited.
The board has called on learners, parents, guardians, educators and community organisations to help spread accurate information about the funding process.
With the deadline approaching, prospective students are encouraged to check their application status and confirm that all required information has been submitted correctly.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
