VerifiedFor the 2026 academic year, NSFAS received a record 893,847 applications and, by March 2026, had approved 692,704 first-time students and 550,959 continuing students. National Treasury’s 2026 Budget Review says NSFAS will spend R54.3 billion in 2026/27 on bursaries for 744,203 students.
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2026 cycle in numbers
| Measure | Figure | Source date |
|---|---|---|
| Applications (window 16 September to 15 November 2025) | 893,847 | January 2026 |
| First-time applicants | 766,232 | January 2026 |
| SASSA beneficiaries among applicants | 520,545 | January 2026 |
| First-time students approved | 692,704 | March 2026 |
| Continuing students approved | 550,959 | March 2026 |
| Loan applications | 26,538 (1,561 approved by February) | February 2026 |
TVET students
- 210,989 continuing TVET students were assessed and 127,503 met the progression rules (February 2026).
- NSFAS paid allowances to 138,115 TVET students on 27 February 2026 and to 203,653 on 17 April 2026.
Figures change during the year as registrations and appeals are processed. Numbers such as “1.9 million applications” for 2026 are not official.
See how NSFAS assists students and NSFAS application dates.
Frequently asked questions
How many students applied for NSFAS for 2026?
893,847, according to NSFAS.
How much does NSFAS spend?
National Treasury says R54.3 billion in 2026/27 on bursaries for 744,203 students.