Union Claims Too Late Release of NSFAS Funding Decisions
The NSFAS release date for its funding decisions for the academic year 2023 has angered the South African Union of Students. According to the union, this will lead to problems with enrollment in schools of higher learning.
The South African Union of Students (SAUS) said in a statement on the preparation of higher education institutions for the 2023 academic year that it believes schools are substantially prepared to start the registration period without many complications.
The Department of Basic Education’s delayed announcement of the National Senior Certificate Matric results, which delayed the start of registration at higher education institutions, did raise concerns from the union, nevertheless.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)’s scheduled announcement of its funding decisions for new and returning students has also drawn criticism from SAUS.
NSFAS stated that funding decisions would be made public on February 6, 2023, however SAUS believes this is excessively late and will cause additional delays in processing registrations and starting the academic year at universities.
We must be clear that any delays in funding choices after February 6th will be seen as an insult and a deliberate attempt to sabotage the registration period, and as a result, the required measures will be taken, according to SAUS.
For the class of 2023, NSFAS claims to have received more than 1.5 million applications.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)’s scheduled announcement of its funding decisions for new and returning students has also drawn criticism from SAUS.
As of January 31, 2023, there were 613,909 applications that were conditionally financed, of which 338,320 were from existing students and 275,589 were from new candidates.
With an R47 billion budget for the year, they anticipate paying R3.5 billion and R2.7 billion upfront to universities and TVET institutes, respectively.