News24 | NSFAS 2026 funding: Nearly 900 000 apply, almost 50k rejected and more than 200k in progress

NSFAS board chairperson Dr Mugwena Maluleke briefed the media on Tuesday.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) received a total of 893 847 applications for funding for the 2026 academic year, including 766 232 from first-time entry students and 125 157 from senior students.

The interim chair of the NSFAS board, Dr Mugwena Maluleke, made the announcement during a media briefing in Pretoria on Tuesday.

He stated that 593 981, or 66.45%, of applications were from female applicants, and 299 866, or 33.55%, were from male applicants.

A total of 609 653 of the 893 847 applications have been approved, with 203 731 applications currently in progress.

Maluleke said that 16 862 applications had been cancelled, while 49 568 were rejected after rigorous review.

More to follow.

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