Best student loans in South Africa (2026)
🏆 Ons beste keuses
🏆 Best overall Interest-only option
FNB Student Loan
★★★★☆
Rate4.3
Flexibility4.6
Covers4.6
Ease4.5
Prime-linked
Rate
Tuition, books, accommodation
Covers
bank
Channel
1
Interest Only
Voordele
- Pay only interest while studying
- Covers tuition, accommodation and a device
- Apply in the app
Nadele
- Personalised, prime-linked rate
- Usually needs a working parent as borrower
Fooie, kwalifisering en dokumente
Kwalifisering
- Registered at a recognised institution
- A working parent/guardian as the borrower (usually)
- Affordability & credit assessment
Standard Bank Student Loan
★★★★☆
Prime-linked
Rate
Tuition, books, accommodation
Covers
bank
Channel
1
Interest Only
Voordele
- Covers full study costs
- Interest-only while studying option
- Big-bank backing
Nadele
- Personalised rate
- Requires a guarantor/parent
Fooie, kwalifisering en dokumente
Kwalifisering
- Registered at a recognised institution
- A working parent/guardian as the borrower (usually)
- Affordability & credit assessment
Nedbank Student Loan
★★★★☆
Prime-linked
Rate
Tuition, books, accommodation
Covers
bank
Channel
1
Interest Only
Voordele
- Covers tuition and essentials
- Interest-only while studying
- Greenbacks for clients
Nadele
- Personalised rate
- Parent/guardian as borrower
Fooie, kwalifisering en dokumente
Kwalifisering
- Registered at a recognised institution
- A working parent/guardian as the borrower (usually)
- Affordability & credit assessment
Absa Student Loan
★★★★☆
Prime-linked
Rate
Tuition, books, accommodation
Covers
bank
Channel
1
Interest Only
Voordele
- Covers full study costs
- Repayment after graduation
- First-time-borrower support
Nadele
- Personalised rate
- Requires a guarantor
Fooie, kwalifisering en dokumente
Kwalifisering
- Registered at a recognised institution
- A working parent/guardian as the borrower (usually)
- Affordability & credit assessment
🏆 Best specialist
Fundi
★★★★☆
Product-dependent
Rate
Tuition, accommodation, devices
Covers
specialist
Channel
1
Interest Only
Voordele
- Education-finance specialist
- Covers a wide range of study costs
- Options without requiring a bank account
Nadele
- Terms vary by product
- Check the total cost carefully
Fooie, kwalifisering en dokumente
Kwalifisering
- Registered at a recognised institution
- A working parent/guardian as the borrower (usually)
- Affordability & credit assessment
🏆 Best if you qualify
NSFAS
★★★★☆
Government
Type
specialist
Channel
Voordele
- Covers tuition and allowances
- Bursary (not repayable) for many
Nadele
- Strict household-income means test
Feenix
★★★★☆
Crowdfunding
Type
specialist
Channel
Voordele
- Crowdfunded — not a loan
- No repayment if funded
Nadele
- Funding not guaranteed