Nsfas has received an R47.3 billion funding allocation for the 2022 academic year. This money will go towards funding 691 432 students and providing them with funding to cover tuition, accommodation, and travel costs as well as providing students with a book allowance and a meal allowance.
Despite the comprehensive funding provided to students, many students around the country have not received their allowances. The distribution of Nsfas funds has been a contentious issue as the fund themselves says they have released funding to institutions.
Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande revealed that R7.2 billion had been paid to universities as of 30 May 2022. This is to cover all allowances including books, transport, accommodation, and living allowances for 498 942 students studying at universities.
However, delays in funding may have been caused by the late submission of funding lists from universities. He says some institutions did not heed the call which resulted in glitches and challenges in the system.
"As of May 30 2022, at least a total of R7,2 billion had been paid to universities to cover all allowances including books, transport, accommodation, and living allowances for 498,942 students studying at universities" explained Minister Blade Nzimande.
The Minister is also calling on students who are registered at multiple institutions of higher learning to deregister from the one they are not attending. He said once students are deregistered, they must submit evidence to Nsfas so that funds can be released to the correct institution.
“We have found that 2 481 students have registered in more than one institution and Nsfas has received registration claims from more than a single institution,” explained Nzimande.
The Minister says the department will soon take action against undeserving students who receive funding from Nsfas
“Corruption on this score will have to be fought relentlessly as it is deserving poor students who get disadvantaged and excluded because of fraud and corruption by those who do not qualify. Our Director-General, together with Nsfas, will soon announce further details and actions in this regard,” said the minister.
Nzimande announced that they will be working with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa)
