First-year students studying at local tertiary institutions under the Eswatini Government Pre-Service Tertiary Education and Training (PTET) Scholarship Programme are expected to receive their student assistance and book allowances by October 31, 2026.
The Ministry of Labour and Social Security said the disbursement of allowances for the 2026/2027 academic year would be processed once students had completed registration and the respective tertiary institutions had submitted the required invoices.
In a statement issued by Principal Secretary Makhosini Mndawe, the ministry said payment for ongoing students had already commenced at the end of September 2026 for institutions that had submitted their invoices. 
However, the ministry said delays in completing registration processes at some institutions had affected the processing of allowances for students.
“At present, some tertiary institutions have not yet concluded their registration process while others have only just completed the registration process,” the ministry said.
According to the ministry, some institutions only submitted their invoices on October 2, while others had not yet submitted them.
The ministry stressed that allowances could only be processed for fully registered students and upon receipt of invoices from their respective tertiary institutions.
It said the earliest that payment could be expedited was October 31, provided students had completed registration and the institutions had prepared and submitted their invoices on time.
The ministry urged students to ensure that they complete the necessary registration requirements, while calling on tertiary institutions to submit invoices timeously to facilitate payment.
It further emphasised the importance of cooperation between tertiary institutions, student bodies and parents in ensuring that students receive the necessary support.
“The ministry remains committed to ensuring that an enabling environment is created for them to make their learning journey a positive experience,” Mndawe said.
The ministry said achieving this would require the cooperation of all stakeholders involved in supporting students throughout their tertiary education.
