The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has sought to assure landlords that it’ll settle outstanding accommodation payments on 17 April 2025.
The scheme has emphasised that the cut-off time for submissions is set for midday on Wednesday and urged all stakeholders to ensure that they meet the deadline and submit all relevant details.
NSFAS comments come after some landlords had threatened to evict students, due to outstanding payments, with others alleging that they haven’t been paid since November last year.
“In preparation for this payment cycle, NSFAS has requested all solution partners to provide a comprehensive list of students who have applied for NSFAS-accredited accommodation.
This list will be subject to approval by the respective institutions to confirm each student’s eligibility for accommodation or transport.
NSFAS would like to assure landlords that for students not included in the global list from the solution partners, payments will still be processed based on the registration template submitted by the institutions,” said NSFAS spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi.
To prevent future delays and confusions, the scheme implored institutions to identify and report students living in NSFAS-accredited accommodation but do not appear on the list.
The scheme said it’ll work closely with its solution partners to rectify any discrepancies.
Mnisi pleaded with landlords not to evict students due to outstanding payments.
“NSFAS would like to reiterate the call to landlords to refrain from evicting students and to collaborate with the scheme in submitting their accommodation claims according to the guidelines provided.
This cooperation is crucial to ensuring that students, who are often in vulnerable situations, maintain stable living conditions while pursuing their studies,” pleaded Mnisi.
NSFAS expressed gratitude to all landlords, colleges, universities, and student unions for their continued support and dedication to assisting students.
The scheme also committed to continue working with accommodation providers to identify and implement long-term solutions to the challenges facing the private student accommodation sector.
