Student Finance In Limbo

Students nationwide appear to have been left in a state of limbo while waiting for confirmation from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme as to whether their applications for financial aid have been approved

- Natalie Greve

Calm has seemingly been restored across the country’s campuses following the spate of #FeesMustFall protests in 2016, and little violence or destruction of property has been reported during the various academic registration processes. But the prevailing state of student funding uncertainty threatens to reignite the disquiet of students longing for an education previously denied.

Higher education and training minister Blade Nzimande has allocated over R15bn to NSFAS for the year, pledging that well over 400 000 students would receive funding during 2017.

But the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has downplayed accusations that a new processing system – introduced in August 2016 – is onerous and inefficient, countering that growing pains and initial gremlins are to be expected during the the introduction of any new administrative process.

According to the NSFAS the new student centred model enables it to manage a direct relationship with funded students, with students submitting applications directly to the scheme rather than applying for assistance through universities or tertiary institutions.

Students are notified by the NSFAS of their application results, forging “a direct relationship and communication” between the student and the organisation from first-year registration until the completion of studies.