Pretoria:The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has pledged to resolve issues related to student funding and administrative challenges following discussions with Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Yusuf Cassim. The focus of the meeting was on improving support mechanisms for students impacted by delays in allowance payments and administrative hurdles within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.
According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy Minister Cassim met with NSFAS Acting CEO Laurence Aadnesgaard and his team to address unresolved cases referred by the Deputy Minister's Helpdesk. The Helpdesk acts as a liaison between students and educational institutions, highlighting the need for clarity and follow-up on outstanding funding cases.
The meeting specifically addressed the status of Personal Care Allowances and Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme payments at the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the University of Venda (UNIVEN). NSFAS confirmed that funds had been transferred to UNISA, and updates on payment statuses were expected shortly. Additionally, a significant portion of the Funza Lushaka payments had been processed, with efforts ongoing to resolve incomplete documentation issues for some students.
Specific institutional cases were also reviewed, including those at the Central University of Technology (CUT) and Elangeni TVET College, where students faced funding challenges due to incorrect qualification coding and academic record discrepancies. Regular engagements between NSFAS and the Deputy Minister's Office have been proposed to address and monitor these cases.
Deputy Minister Cassim has also called for a review of NSFAS funding guidelines to better support students, particularly regarding the adequacy of current allowance values. Further discussions are planned to address these issues before the 2027 academic year, with a workshop involving key stakeholders anticipated.
In response to accommodation concerns, NSFAS confirmed payment to an accredited provider to prevent student evictions. Ensuring students' ability to continue their education remains a priority, with ongoing commitments to resolving outstanding issues and providing necessary support channels.
