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.
New Era
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund expanded student support through increased income eligibility limits
“Higher education saw the implementation of a fully subsidised tertiary funding model and expanded student support through the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF), which increased income eligibility limits.”
NNN’s Sona ushers in hope amid turbulenceThe Namibian
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has issued guidance on who qualifies and what the subsidy covers
“Government agencies and institutions moved quickly to translate the policy into operational rules, and the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has issued guidance on who qualifies and what the subsidy covers.”
Subsidised Higher Education: Who Wins, Who Waits, and Who Pays Next?New Era
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund benefited more than 134,000 students through subsidised tertiary education
“According to data from public and private institutions, more than 134 000 students have benefited from subsidised tertiary education through the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF).”
Namibia at 36: ‘We are too few to be poor’The Namibian
NSFAF was integrated into the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture
“The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture has formally integrated NSFAF into its institutional structure as part of efforts to strengthen governance, improve policy alignment and ensure the long-term sustainability of the student funding scheme.”
NSFAF formally integrated into education ministry structureInformanté
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund was integrated into Ministry of Education
“THE Education Minister, Sanet Steenkamp, has acknowledged that the integration of the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) into the Ministry of Education has raised staff concerns, particularly regarding remuneration, but assured that these concerns are being taken seriously.”
Education minister addresses staff concerns amid NSFAF integrationNew Era
NSFAF provides N$16,000 tuition subsidies (described as shockingly inadequate)
“Against this reality, the N$16 000 tuition subsidies provided through NSFAF are shockingly inadequate, undermining training quality and placing the entire TVET system at risk.”
Opinion – A call for equity in TVET investmentNew Era
NSFAF is undergoing reintegration into the education ministry.
“Disgruntled Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) employees have called on President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah to urgently intervene in the institution's recent reintegration process into the education ministry.”
NSFAF staff knock on State House doorThe Namibian
Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) collaborated closely with education ministry and Nust to expand access to tertiary education
“Van Wyk says, noting close collaboration with the education ministry and the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) to expand access while maintaining academic standards and institutional stability.”
Nust reaches full capacity for first-year students, 16 000 students registered overallNew Era
NSFAF has rolled out graduate debt settlement extension to meet destitute graduates
“The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has rolled out the graduate debt settlement extension to meet destitute graduates halfway, enabling them to receive their certificates to secure employment or other economic opportunities.”
NSFAF throws indebted graduants lifelineInformanté
NSFAF received 41,322 applications for 2025 academic year
“For the 2025 academic year, NSFAF received a total of 41,322 applications.”
NSFAF ready to meet surge in 2026 student financial aid applicationsThe 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 →