The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) provides comprehensive bursaries to thousands of students enrolled at tertiary education institutions around South Africa.
These students could soon have access to NSFAS regional offices for information and queries related to NSFAS funding.
According to Sunday World, Minister of Higher Education and Training Blade Nzimande revealed that regional NSFAS offices could be opened around the country in the next few years. Plans are currently being developed by the financial aid scheme and the department.
The rollout of NSFAS regional offices around South Africa will ensure that students in every province can access NSFAS services should they require it. Currently, there is one NSFAS office, located in Cape Town.
Minister Nzimande said the establishment of regional offices will allow students to walk into any regional office to obtain information or updates regarding challenges related to their NSFAS funding. It will also assist NSFAS in dealing with the complaints and challenges raised by students.
The minister also defended NSFAS after it was revealed the scheme is spending approximately R2 million in rent every month after moving to a new office in Cape Town. The scheme was previously spending around R600,000 a month for their office in Wynberg. The distance between the two offices is around 12.5 KM.
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Nzimande said NSFAS required more space and they were way out of the city of Cape Town. They further argued that NSFAS had occupied the Wynberg offices for more than 20 years.
The minister added that NSFAS is currently managing R43 billion annually and they occupied offices they were using when they were distributing R500 million.
Nzimande said most students have been paid their allowances. They explained that several institutions failed to submit registration data of their students which contributed to payment delays.
