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

Poor record-keeping threatens Namibia’s historical memory: Nuunyango-George

2026-06-18 16:29:38

Declining Erongo academic performance irks governor, stakeholders

2026-06-18 13:30:18

Erongo records major healthcare gains, amid rural access concerns

2026-06-18 12:37:16

New Okondjatu clinic set for inauguration

2026-06-18 11:55:12

Unemployment a pressing concern in Erongo: /Goagoses

2026-06-18 07:16:47

NamPower donates calculators to Windhoek school

2026-06-17 16:41:37

Government reaffirms commitment to safe water, sanitation for every child

2026-06-17 14:20:42

Education remains the strongest tool for Africa’s future: Iilende

2026-06-17 12:14:25

Coblenz, Okamatapati residents raise school overcrowding concerns

2026-06-17 08:02:39

Zambezi schools mark International Day of the African Child

2026-06-16 15:58:27

Namibia strengthening public health emergency preparedness

2026-06-16 15:09:40

Latest NAMPA photos

SWAKOPMUND, 18 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses. (Photo contributed) NAMPA

NAMPA

OMATJETE, 16 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses, during the launch of the Roads Authority’s mobile unit, Natis on Wheels. (Photo by: Chelva) NAMPA

NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 18 June 2026 - Education officials, school principals, teachers, learners, community leaders and other stakeholders of education attending the Erongo Region Education conference to assess challenges facing the sector. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 17 June 2026 - Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare pictured with Ovaherero Chief Professor Mutjinde Katjiua during a recent meeting in Windhoek. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 17 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses delivering her Sate of the Region Address. She is dressed in the uniform of the National Youth Service, in solidarity with the Namibian youth and their plight in fighting against unemployment. (Photo by: Isabel Bento) NAMPA

NAMPA

SWAKOPMUND, 16 June 2026 - Erongo Governor Natalia ǀGoagoses during her State of the Region Address (SORA) stated that the C35 Swakopmund/Henties Bay/Uis Main Road, costing N.dollars 1.03 billion, was 86 per cent complete with 16 kilometres remaining. (Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

NAMPA

UIS, 16 June 2026 - Uis in the Erongo Region, was upgraded from settlement to town status, becoming the region’s eighth local authority, ǀGoagoses said in her second State of the Region Address delivered in Swakopmund, with N.dollars 1 million allocated for an Infrastructure Master Plan and N.dollars 8.5 million for an ongoing bulk water pipeline. (Photo by: Josephina Simeon) NAMPA

NAMPA