The majority of undergraduate students enrolled in public tertiary education are recipients of bursaries provided by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). This was revealed by Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) will fund more than 900,000 students during the 2023 academic year.
These students met all the qualifying criteria needed to receive the comprehensive funding while they study at public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
Minister Blade Nzimande revealed that more than 60% of undergraduate students enrolled at public universities are funded by Nsfas. More than 90% of students enrolled in academic programmes at TVET colleges are receiving Nsfas funding.
The minister said says the amount of students receiving support indicates government's commitment to removing barriers that would prevent students from poor and working class backgrounds from accessing higher education
“The scheme truly represents the government's continued commitment to breaking down barriers to accessing higher education” declared Nzimande.
A total of 941,491 students who submitted bursary applications were approved for funding in 2023. This comes after more than 1.6 million applications for funding were received by Nsfas for the 2023 academic year.
The financial aid scheme revealed that 317,335 bursary applications were unsuccessful. Bursary applicants can appeal the decision made by Nsfas.
Nsfas warned that only a select group of unsuccessful applicants will be allowed to submit a Nsfas appeal. Students who exceeded the N+Rule will be permitted to appeal the funding decision made by Nsfas.
