The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has refuted a misleading social media message that falsely states the 2025 registration portal has closed due to budget constraints and that no registration templates will be accepted.
NSFAS says this suggestion is incorrect and a misrepresentation of its operational status. They urged the public to disregard this information.
This statement is entirely misleading and constitutes a gross misrepresentation of NSFAS's official position and operational status. NSFAS strongly repudiates this inaccurate communication.
NSFAS has specifically requested that the Durban University of Technology (DUT) issue an immediate correction if the false statement originated from the institution.
The scheme wanted institutions sharing inaccurate information to mislead students and stakeholders and ultimately damage NSFAS's reputation.
In March 2025, NSFAS issued a circular to all universities confirming that the portal was open to receive valid registration data.
While the official cut-off date for data submission was 31 March 2025, institutions were encouraged to submit their data by 15 March 2025. Timely submission of the registration data would ensure that payments could be processed for deserving students by the end of the month.
This earlier submission was recommended to ensure timely processing and subsequent disbursement of funds by the end of March 2025.
However, some institutions, including DUT, failed to submit student registration data by the mid-month deadline. NSFAS says this resulted in delays in the disbursement of tuition and living allowances to eligible students at these institutions.
Allowance Payments Released
NSFAS confirmed student allowance payments were successfully released to the affected universities on 6 May 2025. The disbursement of tuition fees will be made at a date yet to be revealed.
NSFAS can confirm that on the 6th of May 2025, the Scheme successfully released student allowance payments to the affected universities. The disbursement of tuition fees will follow in due course.
Commitment to Timely Funding
NSFAS says it remains committed to ensuring deserving students receive funding and urges institutions to submit registration data by the predetermined deadlines.
NSFAS remains committed to ensuring that eligible students receive their funding in a timely and efficient manner and urges all institutions to comply with the stipulated data submission deadlines.
