The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) is planning to introduce several key changes regarding how funds are allocated to students for allowances in 2023. This includes the introduction of student accommodation allowances and how accommodation facilities are accredited.
Nsfas supports thousands of deserving students from poor and working-class families by providing them with comprehensive bursaries. These bursaries cover all the costs associated with their studies including paying a student’s tuition fees and providing them with transport allowances, meal allowances and stationery allowances.
The financial aid scheme also covers the accommodation costs for funded students during the academic year. However, the scheme wants to change the way they pay for the accommodation costs of students.
Nsfas proposed changes to the Nsfas bursary which include a cap of R45 000 on the accommodation allowance for a Nsfas student. This will apply to students residing in University accommodation and to students living in accredited private accommodation.
The financial aid scheme also intends to accredit student accommodation without the involvement of universities as is current practice. The bursary scheme also intends to enter lease negotiations on behalf of students and pay landlords directly.
Key stakeholders in the higher education sector recently met to discuss their concerns related to proposed changes in the way Nsfas will be supporting students in 2023.
Universities South Africa (USAf), Nsfas members, the higher education department officials, several university representatives and the SA Union of Students (SAUS) were in attendance of the “Solutions-driven” meetings.
USAf warned that empirical data should underpin the capped accommodation allowances to ensure that students can access suitable accommodation to support their academic journey.
Nsfas agreed during the meeting that universities that prefer to continue with their current accommodation arrangements (i.e., continue to accredit and allocate student accommodation and make the necessary student payments) will be able to apply to Nsfas.
Applications for Nsfas bursaries for the 2023 academic year are still open. Students can submit Nsfas applications online.
