South African students who meet the eligibility requirements will start receiving their monthly payments from NSFAS on February 2026 which will be deposited directly into their bank accounts at approximately R1 500. The essential funding enables students to pay for their necessary expenses which include both living costs and educational expenses. However students remain uncertain about two processes which involve checking their fund status and changing their bank account information to receive payments without waiting.
Understanding NSFAS Disbursement for February 2026
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) disburses funding to students once their eligibility, registration data, and bank verification are confirmed. For the February 2026 payment cycle students who meet all requirements will receive their R1 500 allowance through direct payments to their selected bank accounts. Payments are typically released on scheduled dates aligned with official NSFAS payment timelines but delays can occur if documentation is missing or records are not up to date. The first step for you to receive your payments requires you to monitor your payment status through the official system.
How to Check Your NSFAS Payment Status
To check the status of your NSFAS payment you must log in to the secure myNSFAS portal using your student credentials. The dashboard provides access to two sections which include the funding progress tracking feature and the application status view for checking your disbursement status. The portal displays payment information which shows whether payments have been disbursed or are still processing or are pending registration confirmation from your institution. You can check your payment status and required actions by accessing the portal on a regular basis.
Using Alternative Methods to Track Payment Progress
Students use additional methods to check their payment status which exist beyond the online portal system. The payment progress information can be accessed through USSD codes and WhatsApp services and NSFAS contact channels which offer direct inquiries without needing internet access at that moment. The online portal can be helpful when you need to access information while your computer is not available.
Why Your NSFAS Payment May Be Delayed
Your NSFAS disbursement will experience delays because multiple reasons exist which can cause this to happen. Your profile contains banking details which need correction because they show either incorrect information or unverified status.
NSFAS requires that your bank account information is complete correct and belongs to you personally. Your institution needs to verify your registration data before they release your funds this verification process causes additional delays. You should keep your information current on the portal because this practice will decrease the chances of receiving payment delays.
How to Update Your Banking Details in the NSFAS Portal
You can update your banking details through the myNSFAS portal if your current banking information records need changes. After logging in with your credentials go to the banking details section located under your profile information. This section enables you to access your account number and bank name and branch details and account type for review and editing.
You must enter accurate information before saving your changes. Your bank account needs to be owned by you and it must be currently active because NSFAS will conduct verification of these facts before they distribute funds to you.
What Happens After You Update Your Banking Details
After you submit your updated banking details NSFAS will conduct an account verification process with your selected financial institution. The verification process takes multiple business days to finish and you will receive a confirmation message through SMS or email after it concludes. NSFAS will process your February allowance payment only after they successfully complete the verification process. Your profile will show persistent activity which will prove your account verification status.
Checking Whether Your R1,500 Has Been Credited
You should verify your bank account after NSFAS indicates that your payment has been disbursed because this will confirm whether the R1 500 payment has been credited. Your bank’s mobile app and online banking service and ATM services all provide access to your balance information and recent transactions. The processing times of banks can differ so you should wait a short period after the payment shows disbursed status until your funds appear in your account.
What to Do If There Are Issues With Your Payment
If you have confirmed that your banking details are correct and the portal still shows no disbursement contact your institution’s financial aid office or the NSFAS helpline for assistance. Providing your student number ID and a screenshot of your payment status can help support staff identify any underlying problems. The resolution process will be faster when you engage with support services without delay.
Importance of Keeping Contact Details Current
In addition to bank information ensure your contact details such as email and phone number are accurate on the NSFAS profile. Your notifications about payment status and verification issues and requests for documentation will be delivered to you through correct contact information. Your disbursement timeline will be affected if you fail to update these details because missed alerts will result in this outcome.