A budget cut will lead to fewer students receiving NSFAS in 2024

A budget cut will lead to fewer students receiving NSFAS in 2024. The approaching 2024 academic year within the Post School Education Sector (PSET) has prompted stakeholders to address significant concerns. In order to prepare for a seamless academic year, representatives of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), student leadership, university officials, and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) collaborated.

NSFAS Consequence Management and Investigations

In order to solve issues relating to direct payments, Ernest Khosa, the chair of the NSFAS board, stressed the importance of firm consequence management. It was revealed in 2023 that key individuals, including NSFAS CEO Andile Nongogo, may have ties to Fintech companies that pay direct student allowances.

Additionally, Khosa highlighted NSFAS’ challenges, including a legal dispute initiated by the CEO after Werksmans Attorneys investigated allegations and a review of procurement procedures.

NSFAS Budgetary Concerns and Potential Impact

It is possible that the scheme may have difficulty making timely allowance payments, particularly at the beginning of the academic year, as a result of budget cuts imposed by the National Treasury.

According to calculations presented by NSFAS’ acting CEO Masile Ramorwesi, a 10% reduction in university funding could result in 87,712 students being unfunded in 2024.

NSFAS Committee Response and Collective Responsibility

In addition to acknowledging the severe consequences of budget cuts on higher education institutions, the committee expressed concern about potential challenges, including load shedding, which could affect online applications. All stakeholders should not solely attribute failure to NSFAS, emphasizing the collective responsibility of all parties involved in securing South African students’ academic futures.

NSFAS University Readiness and Stakeholder Engagement

Chairperson Nompendulo Mkhatshwa stressed the importance of university councils in supporting accountability and ensuring readiness for the 2024 academic year. The committee emphasized that honest and transparent stakeholder engagement could reduce the impact of challenges facing the sector.

NSFAS Enrollment Projections and Funding Disparities

Approximately 210,000 first-time students will enroll in programs at South Africa’s 26 public universities in 2023, reaching 1.1 million total students in the public sector. Approximately 60% of university students are female.

TVET College students face a funding imbalance compared to university students, particularly with regard to living allowances, as highlighted by the South African Public Colleges Organisation (SAPCO).

NSFAS Student Union Perspectives and Accommodation Challenges

South African Union of Students (SAUS) argued that students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds face persistent challenges in securing housing. To mitigate potential instability in universities and TVET, they urged the department to closely monitor NSFAS.

Conclusion

The 2024 academic year faces challenges due to budget cuts affecting NSFAS allocations. Stakeholders stress collective responsibility, urging transparent engagement to mitigate impact. The need for equitable funding across sectors remains crucial for securing South African students’ academic futures