The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has condemned the intimidation and hostage-taking of its officials at the University of Zululand (UniZulu) on 8 March 2024. This incident occurred after a meeting involving NSFAS, UniZulu, and Accommodation Providers (APs) on 5 March 2024
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to eligible students enrolled in approved programmes at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in South Africa. This includes money for accommodation.
Following this unfortunate incident, NSFAS is considering measures to take against the accommodation providers who participated in this act of disdain at UniZulu.
The NSFAS student accommodation pilot programme was launched to ensure that student accommodation service providers deliver accommodation that is accessible, decent, safe, and academically conducive for all students.
NSFAS believes the implementation of the accommodation pilot is a significant step in enhancing and improving the student accommodation landscape in 17 Universities and 23 TVET Colleges for the 2024 academic year.
The financial aid scheme convened the meeting on 5 March 2024 to discuss matters related to student accommodation at the UniZulu. During the meeting, it was resolved that NSFAS would send officials to assist both students and accommodation providers in the onboarding process for all NSFAS-qualifying students who are currently residing in various private accommodations.
The NSFAS student accommodation pilot programme was launched to ensure that student accommodation service providers deliver accommodation that is accessible, decent, safe, and academically conducive for all students.
NSFAS explained that this resolution was aimed at ensuring that private accommodation providers are paid for all NSFAS-qualifying students who have been approved for accommodation NSFAS allowances.
Onboarding Onto Accommodation Portal
NSFAS has called on students who have not been onboarded on the NSFAS Portal to do so immediately. Failure to do this could result in allowance payment delays.
NSFAS calls upon all institutions, both universities and TVET colleges and students who have not been onboarded on the NSFAS Portal to do so immediately, as this is a requirement to ensure that accommodation allowances are paid without any delays.
This will also require NSFAS accommodation providers to ensure that leases that are generated through the Portal are signed by all students in their residences.
The NSFAS wishes to restate that it does not have any arrangements with unaccredited accommodation providers.
The financial aid scheme reiterated that it is against any form of corruption and bribery that is alleged to be taking place in some institutions.
NSFAS wish to reiterate that this will not be tolerated and that the scheme will work with law enforcement agencies to investigate all these reported cases of corruption.
NSFAS have encouraged students and members of the public to report any suspected fraud to NSFAS through our whistleblowing hotline, Vuvuzela: Toll-free number: 0860 247 653. SMS Call-back to 30916.
Combating Un-accredited Accommodation And Addressing Allegations
NSFAS officials made it clear that the organisation has no affiliation with unaccredited accommodation providers. They mentioned ongoing efforts to ensure that NSFAS-funded students are not placed in unaccredited accommodations, with consultations ongoing with providers seeking accreditation.
The NSFAS Board wishes to state clearly that it does not have any arrangements with unaccredited accommodation providers.
NSFAS said no students will be allowed to live in unaccredited accommodation. Ongoing efforts are underway to ensure that NSFAS-funded students are not placed in unaccredited accommodations.
NSFAS reminded Accommodation providers who are within a 5 km radius of institutions are responsible for provide transport to students to their respective campuses and back.
