The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has confirmed that payments for private student accommodation at universities were released on Thursday, 7 May 2026.
In a statement issued on Monday, NSFAS said accommodation providers who bank with First National Bank (FNB) receive funds immediately after payment is released. Providers using other banks may experience slight delays because of standard interbank processing times.
The financial aid scheme revealed that during the current quarter alone, it processed three major accommodation payment disbursements worth more than R1.1 billion. These payments have benefited more than 100 000 students across South Africa.
“To date, 95% of accommodation providers listed on our solution partner portals have had their banking details successfully verified and are now included in direct payments for 2026. For the remaining providers, we are conducting one-on-one engagements to ensure full integration into the direct payment system,” NSFAS said.
NSFAS Working To Improve Accommodation Payment System
NSFAS confirmed that accredited accommodation providers will now receive a monthly disbursement schedule. Providers were also reminded to confirm students’ funding status and ensure valid signed lease agreements are submitted, as these are required before payments can be processed.
The scheme explained that it became legally responsible for handling accommodation payment functions internally from the beginning of 2026. According to NSFAS, this transition has already helped resolve several key challenges affecting student accommodation payments.
These include:
- Delays in institutional confirmation of funded students
- Incorrect classification of some students as transport allowance beneficiaries
- Uncertainty around accommodation accreditation
NSFAS also acknowledged the operational difficulties facing accommodation providers, including rising utility costs and ongoing municipal service delivery challenges.
The scheme said it remains committed to working closely with sector associations and solution partners to address outstanding concerns. This includes finalising 2026 rental rates and creating a more transparent and predictable accommodation payment system.
“NSFAS remains committed to the prompt, case-by-case resolution of all payment challenges. We encourage accommodation providers experiencing difficulties to contact us directly for assistance,” the scheme said.
NSFAS further thanked accommodation providers for their continued partnership and reassured stakeholders that it remains focused on long-term stability, effective administration, and the wellbeing of NSFAS-funded students.
