The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received 868,626 applications for its 2027 funding cycle since applications opened on 18 September 2026.
The closing date for applications is 31 October 2026.
According to the latest figures, 800,382 applications have come from prospective university students, while 68,244 are from those planning to study at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
The application figures also show that women make up the majority of applicants.
Female students account for 616,558 applications, representing 70.98% of the total, while male applicants account for 252,068, or 29.02%.
In terms of social support, 653,778 applicants are South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) beneficiaries, while 214,848 are non-SASSA applicants.
NSFAS has thanked students who have already submitted their applications and encouraged those who have not yet applied to do so before the closing date.
The scheme has also confirmed that it will not grant extensions, meaning students have until 31 October 2026 to complete the process.
Students who still need to apply can do so through the official NSFAS website at www.nsfas.org.za or via the official NSFAS mobile application: https://www.nsfas.org.za/content/how-to-apply.html.