NSFAS Addresses Delay in Allowance Payments. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has expressed concern about the delays in disbursing allowances to students and educational institutions. Spokesperson Slumezi Skosana acknowledges the critical importance of these funds to both students and institutions. In response to these issues, NSFAS offers an apology to affected students while attributing the delays to certain operational processes.
Improvements in Data Exchange Processes
NSFAS recognizes the importance of timely allowance disbursements and expresses gratitude to institutions that have supported students during the payment process. To address these concerns, NSFAS is actively working on enhancing its data exchange processes with educational institutions. The goal is to ensure seamless data integration and facilitate the registration of students onto the new NSFAS direct payment systems.
Withheld Payments and Reconciliation Process
In some cases, payments to universities have been temporarily withheld while a reconciliation process is underway. This process is essential for ensuring the accurate disbursement of allowances to institutions for both tuition and living expenses. Despite these challenges, NSFAS reports that it has successfully provided allowances to a substantial number of beneficiaries, both in TVET colleges and universities.
University-Specific Delays
The University of Venda, with over 9,000 affected students, has experienced delays in receiving allowances, and their spokesperson, Takalani Dzaga, has expressed their concerns. The university has not received any official communication from NSFAS regarding the delays. They have reported the issue to NSFAS and are currently in negotiation with a service provider for a temporary solution while awaiting NSFAS’s resolution. The university remains in constant communication with NSFAS to find a suitable resolution to the matter.
Seeking Solutions Amid Economic Challenges
Ngelekanyo Maduwa, the University of Venda’s SRC secretary-general, acknowledges the difficulty in securing donations, given the current economic challenges. Despite these hardships, the university and its students are actively engaging with the community and businesses to seek support. They have received some donations from students and are currently in discussions with businesses willing to contribute. While the situation is challenging, there is hope for assistance in the coming days as they work to address the growing needs of affected students.