Best student loans in South Africa (2026)

By the Rateweb editorial team · How we rate · Product details checked 21 Jun 2026

Compare student loans from South Africa's banks and specialist lenders. Many let you (or a parent) pay only the interest while studying, so the full repayment starts after graduation. Rates are personalised and prime-linked.

🏆 Our top picks
Best overall FNB Student Loan ★ 4.4/5 — see why ↓ Best specialist Fundi ★ 4.2/5 — see why ↓ Best if you qualify NSFAS ★ 4.2/5 — see why ↓

⭐ Ratings & awards are Rateweb's independent editorial opinion — how we rate.

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7 results 🧮 Try the Student loans calculator
🏆 Best overall Interest-only option

FNB Student Loan

Covers tuition, accommodation and devices, with interest-only payments while studying.
★★★★☆
4.4/5 · How we rate
Rate4.3
Flexibility4.6
Covers4.6
Ease4.5
Prime-linked
Rate
Tuition, books, accommodation
Covers
bank
Channel
1
Interest Only
Pros
  • Pay only interest while studying
  • Covers tuition, accommodation and a device
  • Apply in the app
Cons
  • Personalised, prime-linked rate
  • Usually needs a working parent as borrower
Fees, eligibility & documents
Eligibility
  • Registered at a recognised institution
  • A working parent/guardian as the borrower (usually)
  • Affordability & credit assessment
Find out more

Standard Bank Student Loan

Funding for tuition, textbooks and accommodation with flexible repayment.
★★★★☆
4.2/5 · How we rate
Prime-linked
Rate
Tuition, books, accommodation
Covers
bank
Channel
1
Interest Only
Pros
  • Covers full study costs
  • Interest-only while studying option
  • Big-bank backing
Cons
  • Personalised rate
  • Requires a guarantor/parent
Fees, eligibility & documents
Eligibility
  • Registered at a recognised institution
  • A working parent/guardian as the borrower (usually)
  • Affordability & credit assessment
Find out more

Nedbank Student Loan

Study finance for tuition and essentials with flexible terms.
★★★★☆
4.1/5 · How we rate
Prime-linked
Rate
Tuition, books, accommodation
Covers
bank
Channel
1
Interest Only
Pros
  • Covers tuition and essentials
  • Interest-only while studying
  • Greenbacks for clients
Cons
  • Personalised rate
  • Parent/guardian as borrower
Fees, eligibility & documents
Eligibility
  • Registered at a recognised institution
  • A working parent/guardian as the borrower (usually)
  • Affordability & credit assessment
Find out more

Absa Student Loan

Study loans covering fees, books and accommodation, repayable after studies.
★★★★☆
4.0/5 · How we rate
Prime-linked
Rate
Tuition, books, accommodation
Covers
bank
Channel
1
Interest Only
Pros
  • Covers full study costs
  • Repayment after graduation
  • First-time-borrower support
Cons
  • Personalised rate
  • Requires a guarantor
Fees, eligibility & documents
Eligibility
  • Registered at a recognised institution
  • A working parent/guardian as the borrower (usually)
  • Affordability & credit assessment
Find out more
🏆 Best specialist

Fundi

A specialist education financier covering tuition, accommodation, devices and more.
★★★★☆
4.2/5 · How we rate
Product-dependent
Rate
Tuition, accommodation, devices
Covers
specialist
Channel
1
Interest Only
Pros
  • Education-finance specialist
  • Covers a wide range of study costs
  • Options without requiring a bank account
Cons
  • Terms vary by product
  • Check the total cost carefully
Fees, eligibility & documents
Eligibility
  • Registered at a recognised institution
  • A working parent/guardian as the borrower (usually)
  • Affordability & credit assessment
Find out more
🏆 Best if you qualify

NSFAS

Government funding for qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges.
★★★★☆
4.2/5 · How we rate
Government
Type
specialist
Channel
Pros
  • Covers tuition and allowances
  • Bursary (not repayable) for many
Cons
  • Strict household-income means test
Find out more

Feenix

A crowdfunding platform that helps students raise tuition from donors.
★★★★☆
4.0/5 · How we rate
Crowdfunding
Type
specialist
Channel
Pros
  • Crowdfunded — not a loan
  • No repayment if funded
Cons
  • Funding not guaranteed
Find out more
📖 Want the full picture? Best Student Loans in South Africa — our in-depth editorial guide. Read the guide →

Ratings are Rateweb's editorial opinion. Product details can change — always confirm with the provider before applying. Rateweb may earn a commission on some applications. This is general information, not financial advice.

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