Also known as: NSFAF · Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund · the state-owned NSFAF
Organization providing student financial assistance in Namibia, currently managing funding backlog while integrated into the Ministry of Education.
Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.
Windhoek Observer
NSFAF experienced funding delays following integration into the ministry in March
“The current funding delays, following the integration of NSFAF into the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture in March, raise serious questions about planning, implementation and institutional readiness.”
Students should not pay the price for administrative failureThe Namibian
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund launched legal action against former chief executive Hilya Nghiwete, demanding N$4.3 million repayment
“The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund has launched legal action against former chief executive Hilya Nghiwete, demanding the repayment of N$4.3 million.”
NSFAF sues former chief Nghiwete for N$4.3mThe Namibian
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund delayed non-tuition payments to university students
“University students have raised serious concerns over delayed Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) non-tuition payments, which they say threaten their education and daily survival.”
NSFAF delays leave hungry university students brokeThe Namibian
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund informed the author that she does not qualify for subsidised funding due to not meeting required academic points
“A few months later, I received communication from the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund saying I don't qualify for subsidised funding due to not meeting the required academic points.”
I Celebrated Free Education, Then the Bill CameNamibian Sun
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has confirmed non-tuition fee payments for the current academic year are underway
“The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has confirmed that non-tuition fee payments for the current academic year are underway but warned that not all beneficiaries ...”
NSFAF defends staggered payouts amid student hardship claimsInformanté
NSFAF has announced disbursement of non-tuition fees for 2026 has commenced
“THE Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has announced that the disbursement of non-tuition fees for the 2026 academic year has officially commenced and will continue until October 2026.”
NSFAF begins 2026 non-tuition fee disbursementsInformanté
NSFAF noted that payments are strictly aligned with invoices submitted by institutions
“The fund further noted that payments are strictly aligned with invoices submitted by institutions, and NSFAF continues to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that disbursements are executed as efficiently and accurately as possible.”
NSFAF begins 2026 non-tuition fee disbursementsNamibian Sun
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund finances many students' degrees with public money advanced in hope graduates will find work and repay loans
“For many students, a degree is financed by the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund, public money advanced in the hope that graduates will find work, repay their loans and help fund the next generation.”
A nation cannot preach renewal while practising stagnationNew Era
NSFAF has been reintegrated into the education ministry as a department
“NSFAF has since been reintegrated into the education ministry as a department.”
Ex-NSFAF supremo honouredNew Era
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund expanded student support through increasing household income limit for non-tuition aid to N$300 000
“The government also expanded student support through the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), increasing the household income limit for non-tuition aid to N$300 000.”
Govt builds 400 classrooms in 2025The High Court has ordered NSFAF and former chief executive Hilya Nghiwete to file a joint case management report by 4 August 2026 ahead of a case management conference on 11 August 2026. NSFAF is seeking to recover N$4,301,277.36 paid to Nghiwete under an arbitration award that lost its legal basis following a Supreme Court ruling upholding her dismissal.
22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The High Court has ordered NSFAF and former chief executive Hilya Nghiwete to file a joint case management report by 4 August 2026 ahead of a case management conference on 11 August 2026. NSFAF is seeking to recover N$4,301,277.36 paid to Nghiwete under an arbitration award that lost its legal basis following a Supreme Court ruling upholding her dismissal.
22 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An opinion piece argues that Namibian students' access to financial assistance should not be determined by whether their accredited institution is publicly or privately owned, yet notes that government must ensure funds are directed toward quality education and national priorities.
17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
An opinion piece argues that access to financial assistance from NSFAF should not depend on whether a student attends a public or private accredited institution, though full funding of all private universities raises concerns about public funds and quality control.
17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Welwitschia University Chancellor Scholastika Iipinge has called on NSFAF to fully cover tuition fees for students at private higher education institutions, stating that partial funding continues to leave families carrying a financial burden despite government promises of equal treatment.
17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Chancellor of Welwitschia University has called on NSFAF to fully cover tuition fees for students at private higher education institutions, noting that partial sponsorships continue to leave families bearing financial burdens despite government promises of equal treatment.
17 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Students awaiting NSFAF funding are expected to receive outstanding allowances by the end of July, after Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare conducted an oversight visit. Eligible continuing students will receive back-pay covering April to July, amounting to N$9 600 per student, with priority given to non-tuition allowances.
16 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Young Namibians aspiring to study medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry have raised concerns over unclear and unfair policies by NSFAF and HPCNA, arguing that students admitted to universities abroad were later informed their programmes required curriculum approval, and that NSFAF's removal of medical programmes from its priority list has left them stranded.
15 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Students at Shiramed Medical Institute in Katima Mulilo have negotiated with the institution to pay tuition fees with cattle instead of cash, an arrangement the principal tutor says has helped those without ready cash but who own livestock. The Students Union of Namibia supports the model, suggesting payment with livestock and agricultural produce could help rural families access higher education.
14 July 2026 · The Namibian →
A 42-year-old mother of four with media studies and nursing qualifications has struggled with unemployment for years and now survives by collecting discarded aluminium cans while continuing to seek permanent employment.
14 July 2026 · New Era →
About 25 Namibian students admitted to Parul University in India for the 2026 academic year attended a pre-departure orientation hosted by Afrostud Educational Consult to prepare them for studying abroad. Most students secured funding through the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund, with guidance covering visa requirements, travel preparations, and other transition matters.
9 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Namibia's higher education sector enrolled 97,333 students in 2025, with public institutions accounting for 50,941 and private institutions for 46,392. The University of Namibia, Namibia University of Science and Technology, and International University of Management were the largest institutions by enrollment.
8 July 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
Government has advanced N$247 million to the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund to accelerate the processing of student refunds under the Subsidised Tertiary Education Funding model, with disbursements expected to commence this week. Student Union of Namibia confirmed that refunds started reflecting in student accounts on Monday.
11 June 2026 · New Era →
Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp announced that the government has injected N$247 million into NSFAF to expedite outstanding student payments, with disbursement commencing this week and non-tuition payments expected to be finalised by mid-July 2026.
10 June 2026 · Informanté →
Education minister Sanet Steenkamp announced that the government has provided an additional N$247 million to the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund to accelerate student allowance payments, with disbursements expected to begin this week, as NSFAF continues to face criticism over payment delays.
10 June 2026 · The Namibian →
More than 200 Namibian students accepted into medical and health-related programmes abroad had their NSFAF funding applications rejected on grounds that these fields do not appear on the agency's priority list. An affected student said the policy shift was not formally communicated beforehand and contradicts the historical treatment of medical fields as priority.
9 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund is processing institutional invoices since April 2026 for tuition and non-tuition support, with advance payments already made to institutions. Non-tuition fee payments will now be processed weekly starting the second week of June 2026.
6 June 2026 · Informanté →
The Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) walked out of talks with the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) over delayed disbursement of tuition and non-tuition funds, rejecting proposed timelines and calling for a protest at Government Park on Friday after the fund failed to meet previous commitments to release funds in April.
4 June 2026 · The Namibian →
The Ministry of Education has directed higher education institutions to allow NSFAF-funded students to write examinations and access results while funding payments are being finalised. The ministry is processing about 100,000 student funding records; delays stem from a high volume of applications, implementation of a new tertiary education funding model, and NSFAF integration.
2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The government has directed universities to allow NSFAF-funded students to sit for examinations and access results despite funding paperwork delays following NSFAF's integration into the Ministry of Education in March. While the directive prevents students from being punished for bureaucratic delays, it highlights broader questions about planning and implementation of the institutional reform.
2 June 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund has sued former chief executive Hilya Nghiwete for N$4.3 million following a Supreme Court judgment that overturned earlier rulings in her favour. The fund argues Nghiwete was unfairly enriched after receiving salaries, benefits, and backpay linked to an arbitration award that was later set aside.
25 May 2026 · The Namibian →
University students report severe financial hardship due to delayed Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) non-tuition payments, which they need for accommodation, food, transport and academic expenses. NSFAF spokesperson Percy Tjahere attributed delays to late invoice submissions by institutions, saying students whose invoices were submitted on time have been paid and the next payments are due in May.
19 May 2026 · The Namibian →
Taxi drivers in smaller towns like Katima Mulilo say the new N$15 nationwide fare increase, which took effect yesterday, offers little benefit to them as commuters refuse to pay full fares and negotiate lower prices. Drivers in smaller towns report being forced to accept below-approved payments to avoid conflict with passengers.
19 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →
A University of Namibia student was informed at registration that she qualified for the new subsidised tertiary education scheme announced in early 2026, but months later the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund said she did not meet required academic points and did not qualify for funding.
17 May 2026 · The Namibian →
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund has confirmed that non-tuition fee payments for the current academic year are underway but warned that not all beneficiaries will receive their payments at once.
8 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund has announced the start of non-tuition fee disbursements for the 2026 academic year, continuing until October 2026. Payments will be processed progressively based on invoices from tertiary institutions, with continuing students prioritised and new awardees to follow once contracting and card issuance are complete.
6 May 2026 · Informanté →
The University of Namibia conferred qualifications on 4,342 graduands and NUST graduated 2,804 students in 2025, totalling at least 7,146 in the most recent cycle. The graduates enter a labour market defined by high youth unemployment and limited graduate absorption, while leaders remain in office well past retirement age.
2 May 2026 · Namibian Sun →
The Students Union of Namibia honoured Kennedy Kandume, who served as NSFAF's acting CEO for eight years until last month, with an Award of Excellence for his transformative leadership in expanding financial support to students and procuring laptops during the Covid-19 pandemic. NSFAF has since been reintegrated into the education ministry as a department.
17 April 2026 · New Era →
Namibia has constructed over 400 classrooms at pre-primary and primary schools nationwide during 2025/26, alongside science labs, computer labs, and administrative facilities. The government also expanded TVET programmes with new vocational centres and introduced green hydrogen and renewable energy curricula, while implementing a fully subsidised tertiary education funding model with N$663 million initial allocation.
16 April 2026 · New Era →
President Nandi-Ndaitwah says a joint declaration with Germany on the 1904–1908 genocide could be concluded by year-end, and announced fully subsidised tertiary education for eligible undergraduates backed by N$663 million, plus direct presidential oversight of the oil unit to prevent resource mismanagement.
10 April 2026 · The Namibian →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah delivered a State of the Nation Address highlighting Namibia's economic resilience despite global shocks, progress in oil and gas policy with Norwegian technical support, and achievements across sectors including mining (N$64.7 billion in exports), agriculture (N$2 billion in agricultural products), tourism, energy, and education, with GDP growth projected to rise from 1.7% in 2025 to 3.1% in 2026.
9 April 2026 · New Era →