By Mpho Moloi
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is revising its budget to better accommodate the increasing number of applications it has received this year. This announcement was made by NSFAS Administrator, Freeman Nomvalo, during a media briefing held in Pretoria on Tuesday. The briefing provided a comprehensive update on the organisation’s financial status, application processes, and strategic partnerships.
Ensuring Financial Support for All Eligible Students
“Our top priority is to ensure that every eligible student receives the financial support they need to pursue their education,” said Nomvalo. The briefing highlighted significant efforts to improve support for students and enhance inter-departmental collaboration.
Addressing Fund Transfer Delays
Nomvalo acknowledged the delays in getting funds to institutions and outlined steps being taken to address these issues. “We recognise that there have been delays in getting funds to institutions. To address this, we are improving our coordination with educational institutions and implementing a new tracking system to monitor fund transfers more effectively.”
He also assured that NSFAS, with its increased capacity, will communicate with universities, TVET colleges, and students on final lists by the end of August 2024. “On behalf of NSFAS, we wish to express our sincere apologies to the affected students and our colleagues in the post-school education system. We are working hard to ensure the 2025 academic year is less burdened with the same issues,” he said.
Processing Accommodation Allowances
In response to concerns from accommodation providers, NSFAS has processed bulk catch-up payments of accommodation allowances over the past two months for all legitimate claims. As of 31 July 2024, disbursements for private student accommodation have reached R1 billion.
“However, I am aware that there remain some landlords that are aggrieved. The important issue now is to ensure all payments are done on time, as this is the main remaining pain point for accommodation providers,” Nomvalo noted. To address these concerns, NSFAS will be hosting Student Accommodation roadshows across the country, starting in KwaZulu-Natal on 7 August 2024. These roadshows aim to engage directly with affected landlords who are unable to travel to Cape Town.
Enhancing Verification Processes with SASSA
NSFAS is also enhancing its collaboration with the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) to improve the verification process for student grants. This partnership aims to ensure that students who also receive social grants obtain timely and accurate support.
“We are dedicated to continuous improvement within NSFAS. Our future initiatives include policy updates and technological advancements designed to better serve students and streamline our operations,” Nomvalo said.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Nomvalo underscored the importance of NSFAS’s mission in the development of South Africa. “We believe that the success of NSFAS is essential to the development of the people of South Africa and ultimately the country. Any disruption that seeks to derail NSFAS from this mission must be treated as an attempt to subvert the mission of the country,” he concluded.
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