The Department of Higher Education (DHET) has now announced that Minister Nobuhle Nkabane will soon launch the opening of 2025 applications for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding.
Nkabane will launch the 2025 NSFAS applications this coming Monday, 16 September 2025 at 11am.
In a statement released, the Department said:
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme to open funding applications for the 2025 academic year. The Minister of Higher Education and Training Dr Nobuhle Nkabane will officially launch the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s (NSFAS’) applications season through a media briefing.
The NSFAS Administrator Mr Freeman Nomvalo and his team of Advisors and NSFAS Executive Management will also be present at the briefing.
"The NSFAS application system has gone through several changes and enhancements to ensure a seamless application experience for prospective applicants," read the statement.
The Minister will also provide updates on enhancements made with NSFAS systems as well as give further information about the NSFAS application process.
NSFAS Funding
NSFAS offers bursaries and loans to cover tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and even learning materials – all for eligible students from low-income backgrounds. This NSFAS funding is geared towards South African students pursuing higher education at public universities and TVET Colleges.
Every year, thousands of students anticipate the opening of NSFAS applications. Just last year, NSFAS received approximately 2 million applications.
We are working overtime to ensure that NSFAS systems are ready for the commencement of the 2025 application season. This is critically important because in this financial year, NSFAS received approximately 2 million applications for a bursary.
Of the 2 million NSFAS applications received last year, 419 447 were returning students while 297 809 were first time entering students.
Since it's inception, NSFAS has grown from a budget of R21.4 million to almost R54 billion, now supporting over 800 000 students in South Africa each year.
