CIRCULAR NOTICE NO. 01 OF 2026 (TO ALL INSTITUTIONS: TVET COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES)
TO: CC: COLLEGE PRINCIPALS, VICE CHANCELLORS REGISTRARS, DVCs, CFOs
FINANCIAL AID OFFICERS, SRCs, ACCOMMODATION PROVIDERS
FROM: WASEEM CARRIM
ACTING CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
DATE:
SUBJECT: 12 JANUARY 2026
ACCOMMODATION PROCESS FOR 2026
This communique provides clarity on the accommodation processes for the 2026 academic year. The information is presented in two parts:
1. The accommodation project, where NSAFS is responsible for managing full accommodation function; and
2. Institution – managed accommodation where institutions have opted to administer accommodation function independently.
For accurate disbursements, NSFAS requires complete and verified registration claims together with institutional confirmations to be submitted within the communicated deadlines. This information enables NSFAS to correctly channel funds, whether directly to students (in the case of TVET colleges), to institutions, or directly to accommodation providers
1. Institutions managed accommodation
For institutions who do not form part of the accommodation project, they will continue to manage the end-to-end process of accreditation, onboarding, registration, placement and payment of accommodation providers.
Institutions not forming part of the project must ensure that they provide accurate data for the registration template including confirming if the student qualifies for university catered or non- catered accommodation, private accommodation or unaccredited accommodation allowance.
This will ensure the accurate payment of monthly institutional claims.
2. NSFAS accommodation project
For institutions participating in the accommodation project, the following procedures will apply:
1. NSFAS will deploy an adequate number of officials to each institution and campus to work collaboratively with institutional staff in managing the placement of students who qualify for accommodation.
2. Institutions must verify and retain proof of residence for each student to determine eligibility for either accommodation or transport allowance.
3. Once a student is confirmed as registered and eligible for accommodation, institutional financial aid officers and NSFAS officials will jointly coordinate and support the student’s placement in either campus-owned or private accommodation.
4. NSFAS will facilitate and support students and private accommodation providers in the conclusion and signing of lease agreements.
5. Private accommodation providers will only be eligible for payment once the student’s registration has been confirmed and a valid lease agreement has been signed. Lease agreements must be aligned to the applicable period of study, namely:
o University students: annual or semester-based agreements; and
o TVET students: annual, semester, or trimester-based agreements.
6. A monthly disbursement schedule will be issued outlining the planned payment dates for all approved private accommodation providers.
7. Accommodation providers who accommodate NSFAS-funded students without confirming funding status and without a signed lease agreement do so at their own risk.
8. Payment Process Prerequisites: For NSFAS to process accommodation payments, the following conditions must be met:
o The student must be funded by NSFAS and meet all funding eligibility criteria.
o The institution must have submitted accurate student registration data on or before the prescribed payment cut-off date.
o The student must have successfully onboarded onto the accommodation portal, with a lease agreement duly signed by both the student and the landlord.
3. Request to Accommodate Trimester Students
We kindly request that all accredited accommodation providers to accommodate NSFAS- funded Trimester Students at no cost to the student for the standard two-week registration period and commencement of their academic classes, as has been the practice in previous years.
This arrangement will assist students in completing their registration processes while NSFAS finalises funding and placement confirmations. Payment by NSFAS for the extended period required by Trimester students will be considered and a notice issued.
It is important to note that this arrangement does not include Semester and Annual students.
4. Fraudulent Activities
It has come to our attention that certain individuals are engaged in the fraudulent sale of funded student lists to accommodation providers. This practice is both unethical and illegal. We wish to make it unequivocally clear that such activities will not be tolerated.
Any party found to be involved in the procurement, distribution, or sale of these lists will be investigated and face full legal consequences. We are committed to maintaining integrity within our processes and will take decisive action against any fraudulent conduct.
5. A step by step process for onboarding of students via the student accommodation portals is provided below:
Step-by-Step Student Onboarding
Process Step 1: Access the Platform
• Guide students to: https:www.nsfas.org.za
• Click “Register As Student”
Step 2: Enter ID Number
• Students must enter their SA ID Number
• Ensure they tick the boxes to accept Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Step 3: Email Verification
• A verification email will be sent to the student’s registered email.
• Help them locate the email (check spam/junk if needed).
• The email contains a temporary password.
Step 4: Login with Temporary Password
• Students must log in using their email and the temporary password.
• They will then receive an OTP on their registered phone number.
Step 5: Complete Profile & Create Password
• Enter the OTP.
• Select Province, Institution, and Campus
• Create a new strong password.
• Confirm all details are correct before proceeding.
Step 6: Dashboard & Accommodation Search
• Once verified, the student lands on the dashboard.
• Click “Find Accommodation” to start the search.