Student aid upped by R4.5 billion
JOBURG - The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has received an additional R4.5 billion from State funding this academic year to pay for those who have not been able to afford their fees since 2013.
This funding is on top of the R10 billion that NSFAS will administer in the 2016 academic year. Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande said the historic debt of all students who qualify for NSFAS has been resolved, with the new funding assisting existing students in the system and the decision that no upfront payments would be required for 2016.
“Universities are making provisions for other categories of students, such as allowing late payments of registration fees. If no upfront or registration fees are paid, many of our universities would not be able to operate in the first quarter,” said Nzimande in a statement.
Nzimande said the government will strive to ensure that all who cannot afford fees are supported. The announcement comes after some university student representatives submitted a list of demands to the Ministry of Higher Education at a meeting held on 15 January.
