Student housing crisis: NSFAS given a 30 June deadline to announce rates

The South African National Student Accommodation Association (SANSAA) has given the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) until June 30

The South African National Student Accommodation Association (SANSAA) has given the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) until June 30 to announce accommodation rates for 2026, warning that continued delays could push the student housing sector into crisis.

IOL previously reported that the Private Student Housing Association (PSHA) had also raised concerns over ongoing uncertainty regarding 2026 accommodation rates and payment processes from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

In a statement on Friday, SANSAA, which represents accommodation providers housing more than 300,000 students nationally, said the continued delay in announcing the 2026 CPI-linked accommodation rates is placing the sector under severe pressure.

The association warned that providers are being forced to carry rising costs for electricity, fuel, security and maintenance without clarity on NSFAS funding levels for the coming year.