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

Child-headed households drive absenteeism at Ncamagoro school

2026-04-01 15:04:49

Kavango West misses 150-toilet target for 2025/2026, council blames delays

2026-03-31 15:41:39

NamBTS calls for blood donations ahead of Easter weekend

2026-03-30 22:37:56

Ngurare calls for urgent procurement of CT scan machines

2026-03-30 14:34:30

‘Ending TB is within our reach’: Kabula

2026-03-30 12:48:05

NCRST honours researchers

2026-03-29 17:45:42

Health volunteers protest recruitment

2026-03-28 16:56:15

Nam-Mic donates computers to Joseph Simaneka Asino school

2026-03-26 16:31:49

Tsumeb Primary School receives educational materials

2026-03-26 15:40:12

Relocated Zambezi schools set to reopen following flooding

2026-03-26 08:04:12

FROM THE STREETS TO SECOND CHANCES

2026-03-25 14:00:19

Latest NAMPA photos

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Battle for the ball between Kavango West players Andreas Ndara, Mikka Kapanda (in red) and ||Kharas player Johan Vries during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - ||Kharas player Johan Kooper during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match with Kavango West in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - ||Kharas team captain Johan Vries during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match with Kavango West in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Action between Kavango West player Fredy Kupembona (in red) and a ||Kharas player (in light blue) during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - ||Kharas team captain Johan Vries during their clash with Kavango West during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - Action between Kavango West player Gideon Kayundu (in red) and ||Kharas player Johan Kooper during the 24th edition of the Nedbank Namibian Newspaper Cup at the Westdene Stadium in Keetmanshoop. The opening match between the two sides in Group B, ended 2-1 in favour of ||Kharas. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA

KEETMANSHOOP, 03 April 2026 - An Ohangwena player while in action during their encounter with Oshikoto during their opening match of the 24th edition of the Nedbank Newspaper Cup in Keetmanshoop. The match ended 4-1 in favour of Oshikoto. (Photo by: Hesron Kapanga) NAMPA

NAMPA