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

Southern Africa ReTAC elects new leadership

2026-08-19 15:38:32

Mental health cases exceeded 91 500 in 2024/25

2026-08-19 11:30:25

Agriculture can ease youth unemployment: Nganate

2026-08-19 08:20:48

Twenty-one Kunene schools to get boreholes

2026-08-18 14:04:48

Okapara Primary School officially inaugurated

2026-08-18 12:11:51

Steenkamp calls for education realignment in Hardap

2026-08-15 17:08:34

Research must drive innovation and entrepreneurship: Singambwe

2026-08-15 12:13:22

Wavena Fishing builds toilets for Okarukoro Primary School

2026-08-14 14:19:55

NCRST pushes for creation, protection of local innovations

2026-08-14 14:17:35

UNAM, Huawei Namibia sign MoU to advance AI, digital skills development

2026-08-12 14:56:25

Poor network coverage undermines health services in Kavango West, MPs told

2026-08-11 14:49:13

Latest NAMPA photos

steenkamp

NAMPA

OKAHANDJA, 18 July 2015 - Chief Tjinaani Maharero of the Maharero Traditional Authority and head of the Otjika-Tjamuaha Royal House. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 18 August 2026 - First Gentleman Lieutenant General Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah on Tuesday launched the DEN Impact Foundation, an initiative aimed at implementing targeted programs to tackle the escalating social, educational, and mental health issues affecting boys. (Pho: Contributed) NAMPA.

NAMPA

WINDHOEK, 18 August 2026 - Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare speaking at the launch of DEN Impact Foundation on Tuesday in Windhoek. (Photo: Contributed) NAMPA.

NAMPA

/KHOICHAS, 14 August 2026 - Namibia’s independence was a collective victory. The southern regions of Hardap and ||Karas were central to the struggle, anchored by local churches that risked everything to shelter PLAN fighters and educate the future leaders of our nation. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

HOACHANAS, 12 August 2026 - Historian and liberation struggle icon Markus Kooper, in collaboration with the Hoachanas community, has established a community library to preserve the history of the southern region, including the Red Clan history and past freedom struggle events. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

GIBEON, 13 August 2026 - The African Methodist Episcopal Private Community School (AMEPS) in Gibeon was a significant community-operated institution founded by the AME Church and local leaders, including Hendrik Witbooi, during the fight for freedom. It ceased operations and was integrated into the state school system in 2007. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA

/KHOICHAS, 14 August 2026 - Jacqueline Juliana Rukamba, a former principal at Khoichas Primary School in the Karas region, significantly contributed to Namibia's independence, particularly in education, during the 1970s and 1980s. (Photo by: Uakutura Kambaekua) NAMPA.

NAMPA