The National Students’ Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), the fund that supports students in higher education institutions, says that the students who rent to the subsidized students will be paid their money in the future.
NSFAS has promised the workers that they will pay their fees for February and March. This was revealed by the chief executive officer of this fund, Mr. Waseem Carrim, speaking to the media.
Carrim said they have invested part of the money in TVET universities and colleges.
“On March 13, we will start paying the tenants their money. Keep your lungs down as we will pay this money from next week. We will pay the money for February and March,” he said.
He said that there are more than 100,000 students who have been denied funding by this fund, who have applied for a review of this decision.
“Of these applications, 22,000 will be funded and 18,000 will be dismissed. 44,000 will be closed,” he said.
He reminded those who applied for a review of the non-subsidy decision to submit the necessary information within 30 days.
“If 30 days have passed without this information being submitted, those applications will be closed. That is why we urge those who must submit other information to do so quickly within 30 days,” he said.
He said there are 9,000 applications that are still waiting for more information to be reviewed.
“We accept requests to review the applications if the student did not pass or did not meet the criteria to be funded.”
He pointed out that they have funded 692,000 new students and 550,000 that were already funded before.
“We will lend money to 1,500 students. We are still facing a financial problem, but we are making sure that we support those who deserve support.”
He said they have paid more than R7 billion to universities since the beginning of the year. The colleges have given them R680 million since the beginning of the year.
Regarding housing, he said they have received 224,000 applications and have funded 148,000.
“These have signed agreements with the standards. We urge others to quickly sign these contracts with the standards so that we can pay them.”
He lamented that in 2025, they are short of R13 billion but finally an excuse was made to get this money.
“Even this year, since the issue of lack of funds is still a problem, the Ministry of Higher Education is making an excuse that no one will be left out when they need support. We stand by the fact that we are supporting those who are struggling and the poor.”