Student funding by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) ensures that thousands of qualifying tertiary students throughout the country are funded, the delays between the allocation of funds by NSFAS to the institution and the disbursement of allowances can be concerning for students.
Fortunately, this is changed for thousands of students at the University of South Africa (Unisa). The open-distance learning institution recently confirmed that it has paid out NSFAS allowances to a total of 90,070 students.
Unisa has already paid out NSFAS allowances to 90,070 NSFAS students and we are in the process of finalising allowances for students who were reviewed and confirmed late by NSFAS.
This comes almost two weeks after the university announced that it had started paying out allowances to its students. At the time, Unisa stated that the disbursement of allowances for returning students, including learning material and incidental allowances would begin on Wednesday 15 March 2023, while allowance payments for new eligible students began a week later on Wednesday 22 March 2023.
Regarding registration, both categories of Unisa NSFAS-funded students for the current academic year should note the following:
Returning NSFAS students who received financial aid in 2022 but have not yet finished their degree, should make sure that they are temporarily registered during Unisa's registration period. This especially applies to students who are waiting for NSFAS funding confirmation for the 2023 academic year.
Returning NSFAS students who received funding in 2022, have been declined for funding in 2023 but have appealed the decision, must pay the minimum registration fee while they wait for the NSFAS appeal decision if they chose to do so.
First-time NSFAS applicants awaiting confirmation of NSFAS funding should also make sure that they are temporarily registered during Unisa's registration period. Before their registration is active, they will be required to obtain alternative funding if their NSFAS application is delayed or rejected by the time the registration period expires.
Which NSFAS allowances do Unisa students receive?
NSFAS funding for Unisa students covers expenses that include: tuition fees, and study material as well as the incidental allowance, also known as the personal care allowance that is intended for NSFAS-funded students in distance learning and catered residences
Students who are yet to receive their NSFAS allowances by the beginning of April have also been advised to direct their queries to the university’s Division of Student Funding (DSF) via email on [email protected].
