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NSFAS extends application deadline to mid-month

todayFebruary 1, 2024 86 1

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Students, who need funding from the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), have until the 15th of this month to apply.

The aid scheme announced the extension of its initial deadline this afternoon.

It’s aimed at giving students who were unable to submit their applications a chance to finalise their paperwork and submit their documents.

This comes as some universities are yet to receive money owed to them from the student financial aid scheme for 2023 tuition fees.

NSFAS, however, says it is working on resolving the issue.

It has, so far, received over one million new applications.

Of the 1 745 226 applications received:

  • 940 682 are provisionally funded.
  • 269 915 are awaiting evaluations.
  • 48 643 have been withdrawn by the student.
  • 232 559 are in progress.
  • 136 531 applications are on the not-started status as applicants only created profiles and did not submit applications.
  • NSFAS has rejected 102 201 applications.
  • 1 093 appeals have been lodged so far.

NSFAS has also revealed that its loan scheme will open tomorrow and will also close on the 15th of February. The NSFAS Student Loan Scheme is the first phase of the implementation of the Comprehensive Student Funding Model.

Students who already applied for the NSFAS bursary scheme do not need to submit a new application for the student loan scheme.

The financial aid scheme says all students who did not meet the bursary scheme eligibility criteria, will automatically be offered a loan for their consideration.

To qualify for the loan, students must meet the following criteria:
• Students whose annual household income is between R350 000-R600 000;
• TVET and University (public) students;
• Undergraduate or postgraduate students;

The Minister of Higher Education, Dr Blade Nzimande, last week urged universities not to refuse students an opportunity to register due to the late payments from NSFAS.

NSFAS spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi, says the scheme is working with institutions of higher learning to settle the outstanding fees.

“The process is aimed at resolving issues that affect students’ funding status and payments relating to prior academic periods in TVET colleges and universities. NSFAS has been working closely with all the institutions and can confirm that reconciliation has been completed for the academic years 2017 to 2022.”

Mnisi said that both NSFAS and the South African Union of Students (SAUS) will have a joint media briefing next week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Written by: Nonhlanhla Harris

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