The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has announced that Minister Nobuhle Nkabane will officially launch the opening of applications for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in 2025.
The launch event will take place on Monday, September 16, 2025, at 11 AM.
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.
Minister Nkabane will be joined by the NSFAS Administrator, Mr. Freeman Nomvalo, and other key NSFAS officials.
During the launch, the Minister will provide important updates on the NSFAS application process, including any enhancements made to the NSFAS systems.
"The NSFAS application system has gone through several changes and enhancements to ensure a seamless application experience for prospective applicants," said the department.
NSFAS Funding
NSFAS offers financial assistance to eligible South African students from low-income backgrounds. This support includes bursaries and loans to cover tuition fees, accommodation, living expenses, and even learning materials.
The funding is available for students pursuing higher education at public universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
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.
Every year, thousands of students eagerly await the opening of NSFAS applications. Last year alone, NSFAS received approximately 2 million applications. Of these, 419,447 were from returning students, while 297,809 were from first-time entering students.
Since its establishment, NSFAS has grown significantly, expanding its budget from R21.4 million to nearly R54 billion. Today, the scheme supports over 800,000 students in South Africa annually.
