The great and wonderful news is that NSFAS 2026 application is now official open. NSFAS announce that they are officially accepting funding applications for the 2026 academic year.
In this article, we will get into the complete information about NSFAS funding and shedding light to students.
Before we go any further below is the list of the documentation needed to successfully complete your Application
Documents to prepare:
- Your ID copy
- Your parents/guardian ID copies
- Please note there may be other required document
- Proof of resident
- Your grade 11 final results
- Grade 12 certificate if you have completed Matric
The 2026 NSFAS Application Is Now Open
The Department of Higher Education has officially announced that applications are open for NSFAS bursaries for university and college studies in 2026. It is announced by Minister Manamela at the media briefing in Pretoria.
Tips on what is needed and not needed in time of application:
- The results required are not required immediately during the application
- Proof of residence you will only need it when the time is due to upload them (This document isn’t required for the application process)
- You don’t need acceptance letter before you can send your application (You must apply for NSFAS before receiving an acceptance letter from a university or college)
- NSFAS is a good source of study funding you can rely on them (NSFAS funds students at all 50 colleges and 26 universities) you’ll still be funded even if you get accepted into a different type of institution than you initially stated.
Courses Funded by NSFAS for 2026
Remember this is only few courses that NSFAS fund, so you can also do a research and find out if the one you are applying for is also included
These include the following:
- Accounting
- Agriculture
- Building and Construction
- Computer science
- Communication Studies
- Consumer Services
- Cultural Studies
- Curative Health
- Design Studies
- Dentistry
- Economics
- Electrical installation
- Engineering
- Finance
- History
- Information technology
- Management
- Marketing
- Medicine
- Municipal management
- Natural sciences
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Plumbing
- Public administration
- Political science.
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Welding
Another key aspects is students or applicants need to understand which courses are funded by NSFAS. This can helps NSFAS, by enabling them to pursue higher education without the burden of finances.
The Good News is:
You can now download the 2026 Consent Form on the NSFAS website. Please note that it resembles the form from previous year, only ensure you’re using the correct one for 2026, as it have the year indicated on the bottom right corner.
A few important reminders:
– You only need to fill out one consent form.
– Please fill it in using capital letters.
– The form should be filled out by hand, not on your phone.
– If your parents do not have an email address, kindly provide yours.
– Remember, you do not need a matric certificate to apply.
Stay updated via www.nsfas.org.za & and official social media platforms.
Don’t wait!
The closing date for applications is 15 November 2025.
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