NSFAS paid more than R3 billion advance to universities
The University of South Africa (Unisa) with 25 other South African universities agreed to administer direct payment of allowances to their students.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says more than R3 billion was advanced to universities which complied with the preconditions of a signed memorandum of understanding (MoU).
In a media release NSFAS voiced its concerns on media reports regarding non-payment of allowances for students. It states that the University of South Africa (Unisa) with 25 other South African universities agreed to administer direct payment of allowances to their students.
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The first tranche of payments was meant to ensure that first-time entering students (FTENs) and senior students who are NSFAS approved receive their allowances as they commence with academic activities.
Universities are required to transfer funds to ensure that students are able to access funds for living expenses (accommodation, food, transport and so on) and learning materials, and then secondly apply funding towards paying the first instalment of the tuition fee.
Also read: NSFAS approves 300 000 funding applications
The statement adds that students of UNISA should have by now received their allowances as a total of R247 078 688,97 was advanced to the institution on February 6.
