More than 40,000 students received NSFAS funding despite allegedly not meeting the requirements, with the total amount involved exceeding R5.1 billion.
Public Protector Minister, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka. was addressing the media at the Public Protector House on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, where the findings were discussed.
The investigation found that the students, spread across 76 institutions, were improperly funded. While NSFAS has recovered about R2 billion, approximately R3.1 billion remains outstanding.
The revelations raise serious questions about the effectiveness of NSFAS’s eligibility checks and financial controls.
The Public Protector’s findings are likely to increase pressure on the scheme to strengthen its verification systems and recover the outstanding funds.
The investigation also highlights the potential financial impact of inadequate checks on a scheme responsible for providing financial support to thousands of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
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