The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) recently announced the opening of the 2024 bursary application period. Thousands of students are expected to apply for the funding provided by the government bursary scheme.
The South African Union of Students (SAUS) is calling on all qualifying students to submit NSFAS bursary applications. However, the union have expressed their reservations with the 2024 application period.
Spokesperson Asive Dlanjwa says they are concerned about the NSFAS applications opening late, adding that this is likely to cause congestion on the website and it's most likely to crash.
Several students have already complained about the system as they stuggeled to navigate the application process. Several were unable to find the submit application button.
NSFAS assists a million financially disadvantaged students to pay for their tertiary education journey. The funding from NSFAS goes beyond just money for tuition and registration fees.
As 2024 applications opened, Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande praised the scheme for system improvements aimed at simplifying the application process.
The entity has been working tirelessly to ensure that it improves on its processes for applications and ensuring quick turnaround times on funding decisions in preparation for the 2024 funding year.
NSFAS 2024 applications opened in November 2023 and will close on the last day of January 2024.
Dlanjwa says they are concerned that there will be a backlog in the system due to the relatively short application period which could cause a chaotic start to the academic year. Students only have around two months to submit their NSFAS applications.
You need to make it as user-friendly as possible, I'm saying last year it was better but it was not as user-friendly based on the experience of students… I'm saying right now what it currently is is a regression.
Dlanjwa expressed concerns regarding the user-friendliness of the system. They explain that many students do not have an extensive understanding of English which could complicate the application process.
They also questioned Nzimande's commitment to resolving the challenges facing students. They argue that the minister is being misled and that there is a disconnect between the minister's statements and the reality faced by students.
Much of their criticism of NSFAS relates to unresolved issues from the 2023 academic year. NSFAS had defunded thousands of students during the current academic year leaving them without their allowances. There have also been delays in NSFAS allowance payments to funding students.
They express frustration with the minister's perceived lack of decisiveness in addressing issues such as bank charges and dealing with corrupt service providers.
The spokesperson argues that students who have not received allowances may face financial hardship, impacting their academic performance. They fear that these students might lose funding and face academic consequences.
Dlanjwa says 70,000 students who were defunded by NSFAS were forced to write exams on empty stomachs as they awaited payments and unresolved appeals.
