Highlights
- NSFAS 2026 applications opened on 16 September 2025.
- Minister Buti Manamela announced a new “War Room” for the academic year.
- The War Room will include NSFAS, universities, TVET and CET colleges, and student leaders.
- It will meet weekly to resolve issues like allowance delays, housing, and exam certificates.
- Aim is to prevent protests and ensure smooth start to 2026.
A War Room for NSFAS problems
As NSFAS 2026 applications opened this week, Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela announced the creation of a War Room to manage problems in real time. The unit will bring together NSFAS leadership, the Department of Higher Education, universities, TVET colleges, CET colleges, and student formations.
Manamela said the War Room will meet weekly to address issues that could delay or disrupt the academic year.
Its purpose is not more meetings, but rapid decision-making, problem-solving, and clear communication with stakeholders
Focus on allowances, housing, and disputes
The War Room’s main task will be to stop recurring issues that have affected students in past years. These include:
- Late NSFAS allowance payments that leave students without food and transport.
- Student housing accreditation delays that force learners into unsafe accommodation.
- Backlogs in exam certificates and registrations that prevent progression.
- Campus disputes that often lead to protests and disruption of classes.
By tackling these issues early, the department hopes to avoid the chaos that has hit campuses in previous years.
Preventing protests before they start
The minister said the War Room will also serve as an early-warning system. Potential triggers for protest action will be flagged and addressed before they escalate. “It ensures that when problems emerge, no student, no parent, no institution is left without answers,” Manamela added.
Applications for NSFAS 2026 are now open on the myNSFAS portal and will close on 25 November 2025. Students are encouraged to apply early and upload all required documents to avoid delays.
