NSFAS and DHET Reprioritise R13.3 Billion to Assist 34,000 Students With Blocked Registrations and 15,000 Second-Semester Students
Thousands of students at South African universities and TVET institutions have been faced with challenges during the registration for the 2025 academic year due to funding issues with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
In response, NSFAS and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) announced plans to re-prioritise R13.3 billion which are already allocated for funding to address the funding shortfall. The campaign was meant to help about 34,000 students who were blocked from registering and 15,000 students impacted by the second semester registration difficulties.
This was announced in September 2025 as part of measures taken to stabilise student funding and to enable those impacted to stay on in education.
Students, however, should be aware of the content of the announcement and who it would impact and what it means for those who may still have an outstanding NSFAS registration or funding issue.
What is the NSFAS / DHET Bill of R13.3 Billion Announcement About?
The funding mechanisms to address the significant funding shortfall of NSFAS for the 2025 academic year were developed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Buti Manamela, during a press conference on 15 September 2025.
The government intended to use the existing budget for Higher Education and Training to prioritise R13.3bn, towards the students that faced problems with the registration process.
The funding measures will focus on two groups, as announced:
- Some 34,000 students whose registration was suspended.
- Some 15,000 students impacted by second semester registration issues.
The announcement also covered payments to providers of student accommodation who are struggling with funding issues.
The move has been made as a result of concerns over inadequate funding for University and TVET college students. NSFAS and DHET said the reprioritisation would be to address these issues, but not as a fresh allocation of funding.
Sources: National Skills Fund — Minister’s statement and NSFAS media statement.
Why Were Students Unable to Register?
The challenges in the registration process were associated with several issues in the student funding process.
1. University students who applied during TVET application cycle
During the TVET college application cycle some university students experienced an application or registration challenge.
These cases were some of the challenges that NSFAS and DHET were using to solve the funding problem.
2. Late registration confirmations
There were a number of institutions that had sent in their registration confirmation after the appropriate registration date.
Where registration information is received late, there may be delays in the processing of the student’s funding.
3. Appeals that were approved but not immediately available for funding.5. Appeals that were approved and were not immediately available for funding.
Even though some pupils’ appeals were successful, others continued to experience problems as funding was not available to meet all of the claims for the pupils affected at that time.
Being able to get an approved appeal does not mean that the funding process is complete. Students’ cases had to still go through the necessary channels.
4. Second-semester registration challenges
The funding shortage also impacted some students who had to register for second semester.
The reprioritisation was to be tackled along with blocked registrations from the beginning of the academic year.
These challenges had earlier been recognised by the Department of Higher Education and Training, which stated that NSFAS and institutions were collaborating to resolve these challenges.
Official source: DHET and NSFAS statement on funding challenges.
How was the R13.3 Billion intended to make it easier for students?
The funding reprioritisation was designed to support the identified funding gap and those pupils who were registered for the school with funding problems that were related to the identified funding gap.
The measures were also supposed to ensure that providers of student accommodation would get paid for services provided when they had been impacted by the funding issues.
These discounts were not publicly announced as a lump sum to all the students. These were designed to respond to specific issues identified by NSFAS and DHET with regard to funding and registration.
It is important to note that students should not presume that everyone who has an outstanding university fee, has been unsuccessful in applying or their registration was blocked, has automatically been eligible for assistance under this initiative.
The situation and registration of each pupil remained an important factor.
From Where did the Reprioritised Funds come from?
According to NSFAN, the money was being recovered from loans repaid by past learners and tuition and accommodation money from institutions which had not been completely utilised by the students.
The intent to provide these resources had to be done through the appropriate mechanisms.
The announcement was thus not for new funding of R13.3bn per NSFAS beneficiary, but for reallocating current funding to address the funding shortfall.
The distinction is key, because it wasn’t the announcement that all the students will get extra cash in their bank accounts.
What to do if students have blocked registrations?
Pupils who are in registration/funding difficulties should not presume that the announcement for 2025 will clear their difficulties.
If you feel your situation has not been resolved, you may want to try the following.
Step 1: Check your myNSFAS account
Please visit the official myNSFAS portal and verify if you have been funded or applied for funding.
Search for exceptional requests, messages or instructions that could indicate the next steps to take.
Step 2 – Make sure to contact your financial aid office at your institution
Talk to the financial aid office of your institution (university or TVET college) about your registration issues.
Check if your registration details have been submitted to NSFAS and if there is anything missing.
Step 3: Collect your supporting documents
Make copies of pertinent documents including:
Student number and registration information.
Your NSFAS Application Reference Number.
No matter if the funding is denied or appeals are successful.
Any email or message from your institution or NSFAS.
Appropriate registration or fee statements.
These records can assist the institution in investigating the case.
Step 4: Seek more information on your particular situation
If you have been informed that your registration has been put on hold due to lack of funding, you should find out if your case was part of the funding process, and if additional steps need to be taken.
Please do not assume that your funding status is what it was in the past from simply social media posts and old announcements.
Step 5: Take official news.
Conditions for funding and application may vary from year to year. Please visit the NSFAS and DHET websites for current announcements.
Does R13.3 Billion Announcement apply to NSFAS 2027 Applicants?
The September 2025 announcement was for the current year, 2025, and highlighted the funding deficit for that year. Do not be deceived into thinking it is a commitment of R13.3 billion that’s being made available to address the issues with the NSFAS 2027 applications.
Students who wish to apply for NSFAS funding for the 2027 academic year will need to adhere to the 2027 application requirements and deadline.
Applicants should also be aware of the distinction between a new funding application, an existing beneficiary’s funding status, an appeal and a registration problem. These are unique circumstances and may call for unique measures.
For the latest application instructions, visit the official NSFAS application guidance page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the amount of money that NSFAS and DHET reprioritized?
The September 2025 announcement was about existing R13.3 billion resources being re-prioritised to address the funding deficit for the 2025 academic year.
How many students were considered as beneficiaries of the initiative?
The announcement listed roughly 34,000 students who have been blocked and 15,000 students impacted by an issue during second semester registration.
Did students receive the money directly?
The announcement was about the problems with funding and registration. It wasn’t a guarantee that every impacted student would actually be given a cash payment.
Did the announcement assure that all students whose registration was blocked would be funded?
No. It provided for students in identified categories who are impacted by the funding shortfall. Students had to find out for themselves if they were registered with NSFAS and their schools.
Will this announcement imply that NSFAS 2027 applicants will be given similar support?
Not automatically. This was an announcement for the 2025 school year. If new arrangements for 2027 are made, this must be communicated officially via NSFAS or DHET announcements.
What do I do if I have a problem that I can’t resolve with NSFAS?
Firstly, begin with the financial aid office of your institution of learning as well as the official myNSFAS website. Give your student number, application reference and letter/fax of correspondence for investigation of your case.
Final Thoughts
In September 2025, NSFAS and the DHET shared their decision to reprioritise R13.3 billion for students facing funding challenges for 2025. The plan set to support some 34,000 students who failed to register and 15,000 who were impacted by registration issues in the second semester.
The announcement underscored the difficulties in the registration and continuation of students eligible for financing if the funding process was delayed or resources were not available.
Students who have yet to resolve their registration issues should confirm their own status with NSFAS and their schools rather than take it on Trust that this announcement is sufficient.
