The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is yet to make funding decisions for 12,800 university students for the 2025 academic year.
These students’ registration data was submitted to the bursary scheme by their universities, which is necessary for their funding. However, these students did not apply for funding during the appropriate NSFAS application period.
NSFAS provides comprehensive bursaries and student loans to deserving students enrolled in approved courses at universities and TVET colleges. This funding covers tuition and registration fees. Students also receive several allowances for food, accommodation, and learning materials.
Students Applied During Incorrect Application Period
University students who benefit from NSFAS funding apply during the annual application period, which usually opens toward the end of a calendar year. However, NSFAS has special application windows for students wanting to further their studies at a TVET College.
TVET college programmes may commence at different times during the academic year. To accommodate this, NSFAS introduced special application periods that are closely aligned with TVET college academic calendars.
Communication was sent to all affected universities informing them that applications submitted during the incorrect application period would not be considered for university funding.
However, the scheme still received registration data for the 12,800 students from their institutions. This normally leads to funding allocations for the students; however, these students applied during the TVET college application period.
Despite clear communication, some universities proceeded to register and submit these students' data to NSFAS.
The bursary scheme blocked the disbursement of funding and allowances for these students since the beginning of the academic year. This block will remain in place until NSFAS makes a final decision on whether these students will ultimately receive funding.
Should NSFAS decide to fund these 12,800 students, it will come at a cost of more than R730 million.
The scheme revealed that some universities complied with instructions and did not apply, as the application window was explicitly reserved for TVET college students.
