Minister Dr Blade Nzimande tabled the Department’s Budget Vote and stated that financially supporting students will include funding reprioritized from the Departmental Budget, to ensure that the full shortfall for NSFAS is addressed to support students during the 2022 academic year.
Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Mr Buti Manamela stated that a task team has been appointed which has been reporting to the minister on a regular basis.
Their intention is to see where they could intervene with regard to those students who do not meet the requirements of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bursary.
NSFAS has a number of requirements for funding for those who intend to study at a South African public university or TVET College. One of the requirements states that students need to have a household income of less than R350 000 per annum.
However, there are many who are in need of financial assistance but do not meet these requirements, they are called the “missing middle”.
Manamela said that they have not neglected to attend to the issue and that systems are being put in place to help these students.
