The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has highlighted a significant gender disparity in applications for the 2026 academic year, with far fewer young men pursuing higher education through the scheme.
Key Findings from the NSFAS Application Summary
- Gender Split: Out of approximately 893,000 applications received, 66.45% (593,983) were from women, while 33.55% (299,869) were from men.
- Concern: Acting CEO Waseem Carrim noted that this major differential is worrying and unique compared to general government programme distributions, suggesting a need for research into why young men are “left behind” in higher education.
Concerns Over Study Preference
The second major trend noted by NSFAS is the overwhelming preference for universities over Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges:
- University Preference: Almost 95% of all applications were for university study.
- TVET Perception: Carrim stated this indicates that young people still view TVET colleges as a “second-class degree,” and more must be done to encourage applications to these institutions.
Applicant Age Breakdown
While many assume NSFAS is youth-focused, the scheme is open to all ages, with the majority of applications coming from younger groups:
- Teens: 429,823
- Twenties: 417,077
- Thirties: 41,811
- Forties: 4,526
- Fifties and above: 612
- One beneficiary is reportedly 70 years old, which sparked a debate about the allocation of state resources.
NSFAS Eligibility Summary
To qualify for NSFAS funding, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- South African citizens or permanent residents.
- Combined household income must not exceed R350,000 per year (R600,000 for students living with disabilities).
- SASSA beneficiaries automatically qualify.
