HIGHER Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor has emphasised that meeting academic and progression requirements is still key in getting a bursary under the new scheme administered by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
The bursary scheme is implemented by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and seeks to widen access for deserving students.
In December 2017, the former President announced free higher education for students from poor and working class families earning below R350 000 per annum.
“The scheme will be phased in over a five-year period, starting in the 2018 academic year with first-time entry university students only. By the end of the five-year phase-in period, all undergraduate university students eligible (in line with the new threshold) in all years of study will be funded.
You may be interested in: Durban named most ‘livable City in SA’
“All students on the scheme will sign bursary agreements that include various conditions and commitments. The phase-in is in line with both affordability and the enrolment plans that have been approved and negotiated based on available funding for the system, infrastructure and staffing capacity of institutions,” Minister Pandor explained.
She said as the new scheme is phased-in, continuing students – funded under the criteria of the former DHET Loan Scheme – will be phased-out.
“These students’ funding will be provided as a grant from 2018 until they complete their qualifications, without any specific conditions attached to receiving these grants other than meeting the academic progression requirements,” the Minister said.
Like the Northglen News’ Facebook page and follow us on Twitter to keep up-to-date with local news
