More than 70,000 students who meet the eligibility criteria to receive NSFAS funding have been cleared to register, after administrators intervened to resolve a dispute which left hundreds of thousands of students waiting to register for their second semester.
The registration decision applies to students at the University of South Africa (Unisa) and six universities of technology, and is intended to prevent further disruptions to students whose eligibility to receive NSFAS funding has already been confirmed
NSFAS administrator Prof. Hlengani Mathebula explained that the scheme had collaborated with universities, student representatives, and other stakeholders to address the operational challenges surrounding the registrations.
More than 70,000 students given the green light
The registration decision relates to students who were eligible to receive NSFAS funding but needed confirmation that they could proceed with their registration. According to News24, of the 26,159 new second-semester registrations and 79,118 registration top-ups approved at Unisa and six universities of technology:
The institutions which will welcome the new and continuing students are:
University of South Africa (Unisa) Cape Peninsula University of Technology Durban University of Technology Mangosutho University of Technology Vaal University of Technology Central University of Technology Tshwane University of Technology
The figures cited in the two reports relate to distinct categories of students and should not be simply added together to suggest a total figure of new or continuing students
Why students were waiting to register
The dispute between NSFAS administrators and the affected institutions had caused significant delays to the registration process for students at the institutions.
For these students, the inability to register could have negative consequences on their studies, particularly with regard to accessing learning resources and other services. The NSFAS administrator noted that the uncertainty around the registration process was a source of concern and that resolving it would reduce the level of instability within the higher education sector.
NSFAS administrator says operational problems were addressed
Mathebula – who has been tasked with turning NSFAS around after a series of controversies over student finances and administration – explained that he had met with more than 20 stakeholders in his first three months in the position in an effort to address the challenges within the system. He met with students, student representative councils, unions, and universities. Mathebula has since submitted a stabilisation plan to the Minister of Higher Education and Training as part of the broader turnaround initiative.
The intervention follows a series of complaints about NSFAS administration, particularly concerning financial confirmations, payments, and communication with stakeholders.
What the decision means for affected students
The most immediate benefit of the decision is that eligible students who satisfy the NSFAS criteria can register for their courses and stop waiting for confirmation that they will receive funding. However, it is vital that affected students continue to follow up on their registration process with their institution. Students should also monitor their myNSFAS account and respond to any outstanding requests for documents or information.
It is also important to note that although more than 70,000 students have been cleared for registration, not all students at the affected institutions are automatically eligible for NSFAS funding. The clearance only applies to students who qualify for NSFAS funding.
NSFAS continues to face pressure
The decision to clear more than 70,000 students to register comes as NSFAS continues to deal with scrutiny over its management and finances. Investigations and parliamentary questions around the administration of the scheme have intensified in recent months, with concerns raised about a range of issues, including NSFAS governance, funding, and the personal finances of some of its officials, as well as the administration of student data.
Despite these challenges, NSFAS remains the key student funding programme in the country, providing crucial support to students from financially disadvantaged households who are studying at public universities and TVET colleges. As such, its role in ensuring that students can successfully begin their studies at the start of the academic year is of great importance.
Students should check their own status
Students who were previously unable to register should not assume that a general statement about the clearance of more than 70,000 students means that they can automatically proceed with their registration. The students should:
Contact their institution’s registration or student-financial aid office Log into their myNSFAS account and: Confirm their funding status Take note of any outstanding requests for information or documents Complete any outstanding steps in their registration process
Students should continue to follow up on their individual NSFAS funding application and registration process as normal, using the myNSFAS portal, as well as the contact details provided by their institution.
Where possible, students should rely on the official communication channels provided by their institution rather than unconfirmed information circulating on social media.
What happens next?
The immediate priority is for students to complete the registration process and for NSFAS to address the outstanding issues with the affected institutions.
Going forward, the priority must be to ensure that funding, payments, and registration processes are administered in a timely manner to avoid similar situations occurring in future. For now, the latest developments offer some relief to students, while administrators continue to address the challenges with the funding and registration process.
Source
This article is based primarily on reports by SABC News and News24 regarding NSFAS’s decision to clear more than 70,000 eligible students to register for their second semester. SABC News published the report on 5 August 2026 and stated that more than 70,000 eligible students had been cleared to register
Similarly, News24 reported that the NSFAS decision related to 26,159 new registrations and 79,118 registration top-ups at Unisa and six universities of technology.
The quotes attributed to Prof. Hlengani Mathebula are also taken from the reports published by SABC News and News24.
Read the original report by SABC News here
Editorial Policy
When covering education-related matters, our aim is to provide informative, reliable, and independent news for South African students, parents, educators, and job hunters
We value your time and therefore make every effort to ensure that the information we publish is accurate and up-to-date. We always strive to use official statements and reputable news sources when reporting on breaking education news. In cases where the figures cited in the reports pertain to different categories of students, the figures are not combined unless the reports explicitly state that they are.
In cases where additional information may be needed, you are encouraged to contact the relevant institution or ministry directly.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as an official confirmation of NSFAS funding or registration.
The registration clearance applies to eligible students covered by the NSFAS decision. Students are advised to contact their university or NSFAS directly to confirm their registration and funding status.
Student Awareness
Students are advised to rely on their institution’s communication channels and myNSFAS when seeking information on funding and registration.
Students should be wary of people contacting them and claiming that they can unlock NSFAS funding or registration in return for payment and should not pay anyone to assist them with NSFAS funding or registration.
