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NSFAS on the allegations made in the City Press and Sunday Independent newspapers regarding student financing issues 2018 and 2019
The National Scheme for Student Financial Assistance (NSFAS) would like make the following publicly known statements regarding the allegations published in the Sunday, July 29, 2018 editions of City Press and Sunday Independent Newspapers.
On December 16, 2017, the government announced that it would gradually implement education and training for students from poor and working households. To implement the new policy, this meant that, in a very short time before the start of the 2018 academic year, NSFAS had to modify its initial plans, systems and processes for 2018 to adapt the new policy, while the outstanding challenges inherent in the previous policy of providing loans and grants. The new approach allowed the government to gradually introduce free, fully subsidized higher education for poor students and working-clbad students in a financially sustainable manner.
Although we recognize the challenges in implementing the new policy, the decisions on the applications received have been completed and the NSFAS has communicated the funding decisions in this regard to higher education institutions of more than 400,000 university and TVET students, including reinstated students.
More than 20,000 unsupported applications have been finalized. In order for the NSFAS to complete this process, an online platform was opened for these students to download the missing supporting documents.
To date, the NSFAS has distributed stipends to more than 365,000 students. 19659008] There are some 70,338 students enrolled for the first time who have not yet signed their scholarship agreement (NBA) or details annex (SOP) and 29,610 students whose data is not available. Registration has been received recently. The closing date for all students to sign their NBA is July 31, 2018. It is important to note that advance payments will only be made for students who have signed, noting that senior students eligible for renewal will be automatically generated for payment without new NBA. So, this basically means that all students who have not signed their agreements will not receive any stipends.
The NSFAS Board and Management, in partnership with the institutions, work around the clock to ensure that all students receive their contracts. sign these contracts and ensure that all funded students receive their stipends in a timely manner. Through our service center we are able to respond to student requests and speed up call decisions.
Pursuant to the directive of Minister Pandor, Minister of Higher Education and Training, the 2019 application process opened on August 1, 2018 is currently on hold until further notice. The process of ensuring that all students in the institution are included in funding decisions remains the primary goal of the NSFAS Board and senior management. We work with universities, TVET colleges and the Department of Higher Education and Training to ensure that all remaining eligible students receive their funding and stipends.
We encourage all students who have not signed to www.nsfas.org. za and sign their agreements before it's too late.
Published by: National Student Financial Assistance Program
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