NSFAS Allowance 2026: When is the First Payment Date?

For students funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) in South Africa, knowing when your first allowance payment arrives can make a big difference as you start the 2026 academic year. 

NSFAS allowances support students with living costs, transport, books, meals, accommodation (where applicable), and other study‑related expenses. 

In 2026, the payment schedule will be clarified and will start early in the year once registration and data verification are complete. 

What Is the NSFAS Allowance?

The NSFAS allowance is part of the funding package students receive when their NSFAS application is approved. 

Allowances are payments made to help cover costs like transport, meals, study materials, accommodation (for those living in residences), and personal care. 

These payments are made on a monthly or cycle basis once your institution has confirmed your registration data with NSFAS.

The allowances only begin once your registration is verified by your university or TVET college and your funding status is fully confirmed on the myNSFAS portal.

Universities often distribute allowances differently from TVET colleges, so the exact date you see funds in your account can vary by institution.

When Is the First NSFAS Allowance Payment in 2026?

For the 2026 academic year, NSFAS has set a phased approach to allowance payments that begins early in February 2026. 

The first disbursements depend on whether you are at a university or a TVET college.

Main Early NSFAS Allowance Dates

1. 1 February 2026: NSFAS issues upfront institutional payments to universities and TVET colleges. This initial payment is meant to cover the first month’s meal allowance, accommodation costs, book allowance, travel, and personal care allowances where applicable.
2. 6 February 2026: The first monthly allowance payments are expected to begin being paid to students whose data has been verified and submitted by their institutions.
3. 7 February 2026: TVET college students can expect their first direct allowance payment, provided their registration and banking details have been verified and approved.

These early payments are structured so that students get financial support soon after the term starts, helping with immediate expenses.

Why Does NSFAS Pay in Phases?

NSFAS allowance payments are released in stages to ensure institutions have funds before they disburse to students. 

On 1 February 2026, the scheme releases institutional payments. 

Then, once registration and verification are complete, student payments start. 

Universities often pay allowances after receiving funds, whereas TVET colleges pay directly into student accounts.

This phased process means the first date you might see money in your account is typically 6 or 7 February 2026, but final confirmation depends on your school’s data submission.

What Happens After the First Payment?

After the initial allowance payment in early February, NSFAS typically follows a monthly payment cycle. 

According to the official schedule used by many institutions in 2026, these are the broader first‑semester payment cycles:

1. Cycle 1: 6 February 2026
2. Cycle 2: 3 March 2026
3. Cycle 3: 1 April 2026
4. Cycle 4: 5 May 2026
5. Cycle 5: 2 June 2026

These payments cover your monthly allowances if all your data and registration details are in order.

What If Your First Payment Is Delayed?

If you don’t receive the first NSFAS allowance by early February or by the first cycle date:

1. Check your registration status on the myNSFAS portal. Payments are only released after confirmed registration.
2. Verify your banking details in your myNSFAS profile. Incorrect or unverified banking information is a common cause of delays.
3. Contact your institution’s financial aid office to confirm that your registration data was uploaded to NSFAS. Some delays occur at the institutional submission stage.

Allowances are not always reflected instantly in bank accounts, even once paid out, because institutions may process funds before releasing them to students.

Do Universities and TVET Colleges Pay on the Same Day?

No. Even though NSFAS releases funds to institutions and accounts around early February, individual colleges and universities may pay students on slightly different dates. 

TVET students generally receive direct bank payments once verification is done, often around 7 February 2026. 

University payments depend on how quickly the institution processes the funds it receives.

Students need to complete all registration and banking details verification as soon as possible so payments can be made on time.