POLOKWANE – The University of Limpopo (UL) said they have expedited off-campus allowances for students following last week’s violent protests.
UL spokesperson Johannes Selepe said students enrolled for the first semester only were paid from February to June while students enrolled for the second semester only were paid from July to September.
“Students enrolled for both semesters were paid from February to July,” he added.
However, Selepe added that around 567 students did not receive their allowances due to reasons including outdated banking details and funding approval challenges that are still being investigated with the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
“NSFAS has still not disbursed the expected money, hence our remedial action to calm angry students from further destroying campus infrastructure. It is not clear what is delaying NSFAS,” he said.
Last week, angry students vandalised buildings on campus, blocked entrances with burning tyres and broke down the perimeter fence over the non-payment of off-campus allowances.
Read more: WATCH: UL burns as students demand off-campus allowances
UL students whose appeals for funding were rejected by NSFAS are urged to look out for SMSes asking for students to update their banking details and submit any outstanding documentation so their payments can be processed.
“This can be done online or via the university’s financial aid office,” Selepe said.
Review is awaiting comment from NSFAS spokesperson Kagisho Mamabolo regarding the delay of payment to the remaining students.
