Challenges Faced by TVET College Students Registering NSFAS Bank Accounts. The introduction of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) bank account was designed to empower students with greater control over their allowances. However, the process of onboarding Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students onto the system encountered various obstacles.
Rollout in TVET Colleges
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges became the pioneering institutions to implement the NSFAS direct allowance payment system. The transition to this system began in late 2022, with the first direct payments initiated in November 2022. The 2023 academic year marked a continued effort to refine and enhance the process.
Gradual Transition for TVET Colleges
The transition to direct payments for students at the 44 colleges was gradual, as these students were initially receiving their allowances through the NSFAS Wallet. The remaining six Western Cape colleges began receiving funds from NSFAS and distributing them to students themselves.
Successful Onboarding of TVET Colleges
As of July 2023, all 50 TVET colleges have successfully adopted the direct payment method for disbursing allowances. A total of 187,180 students achieved KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance, which is a critical step for accessing their allowances through the direct payment system.
Challenges Encountered
Implementing direct payments in TVET colleges brought forth several challenges, including:
- Bank Card Shortages
- Slow Card Distribution
- Partner Challenges
- Delays in Query Handling
- Inaccurate Data
- Bank Charges
- Underage Students
Shortages and Delays in Bank Card Distribution
The initial implementation of virtual cards led to shortages, delays, and long queues when physical bank card distribution commenced around March 2023. Logistical challenges persisted due to multiple registration cycles in the TVET sector.
Partner-Related Issues
NSFAS relied on manual partner reports, resulting in delays and operational inefficiencies. An integrated reporting module is in development to automate report sharing for improved efficiency. Partner call centers and email queries faced difficulties in responsiveness, with bi-weekly meetings introduced to enhance partner capacity.
Errors in Registration Templates
Errors in registration templates caused processing delays and blocked allowances. To address this, system enhancements are underway to implement technology-driven mechanisms for identifying and rectifying incorrect allowance claims.
FICA-Compliant Process for Underage Students
There was a delay in developing a FICA (Financial Intelligence Centre Act)-compliant process for onboarding underage students, which further complicated the transition.
Student Concerns
Students raised concerns about excessive direct payment charges and called for a review of the fee structure.
Termination of Contracts with Service Providers
NSFAS will terminate contracts with service providers responsible for direct payment of student allowances following an investigation into potential conflicts of interest. Four service providers were appointed to facilitate direct payments, and concerns regarding potential relationships between key individuals and fintech companies have prompted this action.