NSFAS
By Mpho Moloi
Minister of Higher Education, Nobuhle Nkabane, has emphasised the government’s commitment to providing students with the necessary support for their educational pursuits. In a recent statement, she addressed critical issues surrounding delays in the disbursement of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) allowances and updates on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) appeals process, assuring students that solutions are underway to ensure no one is left behind.
Addressing TVET Allowance Delays
The timely payment of NSFAS allowances is vital for students who rely on these funds for living expenses, tuition, and accommodation. However, a system glitch disrupted the scheduled disbursement of TVET student allowances on 25 April 2025. “The timely disbursement of TVET allowances and the NSFAS appeals process are paramount towards a streamlined and transparent funding process that ensures that no student is left behind,” Nkabane said.
NSFAS confirmed that the issue, caused by the size of batch files processed, was resolved, with payments processed on 26 April and reflected in student accounts by 27 April. Despite this progress, approximately 800 students at a specific institution faced additional challenges with fund transfers. Nkabane acknowledged the inconvenience, stating, “We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by the delays in allowances – delayed payments are unacceptable. We recognise the impact of these delays as students depend entirely on their allowances for living expenses.”
The minister assured students that NSFAS is working with its financial services institution to rectify these issues, with a commitment to resolve the remaining challenges by 30 April 2025. To prevent future delays, NSFAS is exploring solutions such as cloud-based processing to handle large batch files more efficiently.
Settling 2024 Outstanding Payments
Beyond the April delays, NSFAS is prioritizing the settlement of all outstanding 2024 allowances owed to students and accommodation providers. The minister noted that a detailed communication outlining the plan for these payments would be released by 30 April 2025. This follows concerns raised by the South African Technical Vocational Education and Training Student Association (SATVETSA), which highlighted unpaid landlords and the risk of student evictions due to delayed payments.
In February 2025, Nkabane met with SATVETSA at Mpumalanga University, agreeing to process all 2024 outstanding allowances and accommodation fees by 25 February 2025. This commitment reflects the government’s broader effort to stabilize the TVET sector, which has faced financial, administrative, and governance challenges.
Progress on NSFAS Appeals for 2025
The minister provided an update on the NSFAS appeals process, noting that most appeals submitted for the 2025 academic year have been addressed. The NSFAS Appeals and Tribunals Committee is currently reviewing these outcomes to ensure consistency and adherence to policy. Students are encouraged to check their myNSFAS accounts regularly for updates and to upload any additional documents required.
Nkabane emphasized the importance of transparency in the appeals process, stating, “Access to education is not just a privilege, it is a fundamental right that facilitates personal and national growth.” This commitment aligns with NSFAS’s mandate to support over one million students annually, with a budget of nearly R50 billion in 2025.
Resolving Qualification Code Discrepancies
A significant issue affecting fund disbursements was the mismatch of qualification codes, particularly for students enrolled in National Certificate Vocational (NCV) programmes. Nkabane reported that NSFAS has identified and resolved 80% of these discrepancies, with results released to examination centres on 2 April 2025. Additional evidence has been collected and will be submitted to Umalusi by 5 May 2025, with anticipated result releases on 9 and 12 May 2025. Once approved, affected students will receive their NSFAS funding promptly.
This resolution is critical for students who faced delays due to administrative errors. The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) has also committed to a “mop-up” process for unresolved academic results, completed by 26 February 2025, to ensure no student is unfairly denied funding.
Broader Reforms and Challenges
The NSFAS delays come amid broader efforts to reform the student funding system. In February 2025, Nkabane announced a 4% increase in university allowances and a 46% increase for TVET students, raising the annual living allowance to R14,600 to address rising living costs. However, challenges persist, including allegations of corruption in private accommodation accreditation and governance issues within NSFAS.
The minister has taken decisive steps, including appointing Freeman Nomvalo as NSFAS administrator until March 2025 to address inefficiencies and root out corruption. Nkabane also plans to transfer accommodation management back to universities, citing NSFAS’s lack of capacity to handle complaints effectively.
Additionally, Nkabane is tackling barriers to access, such as application fees charged by the Central Applications Office (CAO). She announced plans to scrap these fees, which generated R43 million in 2025, to ensure higher education remains accessible.
A Commitment to Students
Nkabane expressed gratitude for the patience of students and stakeholders, reaffirming her commitment to prompt funding and result delivery. “As the Minister of Higher Education, I appreciate the patience and understanding of all affected students and stakeholders during this process, and we remain committed to ensuring that all eligible students receive their funding and results promptly,” she said.
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