NSFAF expands funding eligibility, abolishes means testing

NAMPA

2025-01-15

WINDHOEK, 14 January 2025 - NSFAF Chief Executive Officer Kennedy Kandume, NSFAF Chairperson Stephen Tjiuro and Higher Education Deputy Minister, Nathalia /Goagoses. (Photo by Eba Kandovazu) NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 15 JAN (NAMPA) - The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) has amended its policy to allow funding for certificates at NQF level 5 and will, as of this year, also do away with the means-testing and income threshold.
In her keynote address at the launch of the NSFAF 2025 online loan application on Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Technology and Innovation, Natalia /Goagoses, said the amended NSFAF Policy is a paradigm shift from a loan scheme that has been a pro-poor student funding system to an inclusive multi-optional student loan system (IM-OSLS).
“The IM-OSLS aims to fund eligible Namibians from all walks of life to access higher education and training and accelerate the acquisition of requisite knowledge and technical skills, in approved priority fields of study and areas of acute skills deficit,” /Goagoses said.
The fund will also expand loan funding options such as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) funding after completion of a bridging programme/readiness programme, repeaters and articulations funding into diplomas, bachelors and vocational training levels.
“This initiative is a testament to our commitment to empowering the youth, promoting equity, and ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of talent and potential,” the deputy minister said.
On his part, NSFAF acting Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Kandume said a total 31 144 applications were submitted last year, of which 8 805 were rejected by the fund due to falling outside the eligibility criteria.
“Our projections are that if we implement the new inclusive multi-optional student loan system, the fund will need over N.dollars 3 billion as the number of new students is expected to increase to over 30 000,” Kandume said.
(NAMPA)
EB/EK/AS

Namibia education

Education & Health

Over 24 000 malaria cases recorded in Zambezi since January

2026-05-28 11:58:08

Muharukua calls for quality on school project

2026-05-27 11:02:49

NTA to recruit locals for construction of Otjorungondo school project

2026-05-27 08:07:03

Parly Standing Committee on oversight visit to Zambezi

2026-05-26 17:05:15

Kunene launches N. dollars 28 million Otjirongondo Secondary School project

2026-05-26 16:44:25

CoW says discoloured water safe for consumption

2026-05-25 16:41:14

Hardap leadership moves to end Wit Huis water crisis

2026-05-22 16:54:30

UANDARA AND ANGULA DEFY ODDS TO FIND SUCCESS IN TECHNICAL TRAINING

2026-05-21 20:11:52

‘LIFE IS A JOURNEY, YOU DON’T END IT BECAUSE IT HAS CHANGED’: AMUKOTO

2026-05-21 08:13:44

Witbooi champions mandatory employee wellness in work environments

2026-05-20 19:24:58

OSHIKOTO BARBER BEATS THE ODDS TO GRADUATE WITH HONOURS DEGREE

2026-05-20 17:27:32

Latest NAMPA photos

Windhoek, 29 May- Patrick Geingob, murder accused. (Photo by Eba Kandovazu) NAMPA

NAMPA

Windhoek, 29 May- Mechthilde Karomo. (Photo by Eba Kandovazu). NAMPA

NAMPA

ONDONGA, 28 May 2026- Ondonga King Fillemon Shuumbwa Nangolo addressing the Genocide Remembrance Day. (Photo: Max Henrich) NAMPA

NAMPA

ONDANGWA, 28 May 2026 - Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp addressing the Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration at Oluno Community Hall in the Oshana region.

NAMPA

OPUWO, 28 May 2026- Director-General of the National Planning Commission Dr Kaire Mbuende addressing the Genocide Remembrance Day commemoration at Opuwo in the Kunene Region. (Photo: Kaviveterue Virere) NAMPA

NAMPA

OPUWO, 28 May 2026- Director-General of the National Planning Commission Dr Kaire Mbuende, Kunene Governor Vipuakuje Muharukua, and Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy Modestus Amutse during the Genocide Remembrance Day in Opuwo, Kunene Region. (Photo: Kaviveterue Virere) NAMPA

NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 28 May 2026 - Chiefs of the Zeraeua and !Oe-ǂGan Traditional Authorities Ombara Manase Christian Zeraeua and Gaob Immanuel ǂNu-axa ǃGâseb (l), Chairperson of the Genocide Committee in Erongo Uahimisa Kaapehi (m) and other political and traditional leaders kneel at the entrance of the Swakopmund Memorial Park to seek for permission from the ancestors before entering the cemetery, during the Ovaherero and Nama Genocide. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 28 May 2026 - Gaob Immanuel ǂNu-axa ǃGâseb of the !Oe-ǂGan Traditional Authority, Erongo Governor Natalia |Goagoses, Ombara Manase Christian Zeraeua of the Zeraeua Traditional Authority and Former Member of Parliament (MP) Usutuaije Maamberua paying their respects to the victims of the 1904-1908 Ovaherero and Nama Genocide at the Swakopmund Memorial Park, during the Genocide Remembrance Day. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA