The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) said it is determined to conclude all outstanding 2023 disbursements by 15 January 2024.
According to the scheme, it has made payments to about 234 124 students from the 5th of December 2023, as part of the reconciled final disbursements for the 2023 academic year.
According to NSFAS spokesperson, Ishmael Mnisi, this process is to ensure that final payouts are made directly to institutions for tuition and for advancing payments to students whose allowances were not concluded due to changes in their registration data.
“The NSFAS reconciliation data is divided into three categories, direct payment – direct allowance to students, and allowances on tuition disbursement to institutions, student allowances via institutions.
“NSFAS confirms that there are 20 000 allowances which are yet to be concluded.
“These unresolved cases of disbursements require further input and consultation with institutions,” explains Mnisi.
The NSFAS Board held an extraordinary meeting on 31 December 2023 to deliberate on various issues including the scheme’s budget adjustment and its accommodation pilot project.
“Early in January 2024, the NSFAS Board will have further stakeholder engagements with the Universities of South Africa, the South African Union of Students and the South African Technical Vocational Education and Training Students Association and labour unions to brief them on preparations for the 2024 academic year and the NSFAS eligibility criteria and conditions for financial aid,” elaborated Mnisi.
He added that public announcements on the Werksmans Attorneys report in relation to the direct payment service providers will be made soon.
Last year, the board adopted the recommendations of the report into allegations surrounding the appointment of direct payment service providers.
The scheme has been accused neglecting students and delaying in paying their allowances.
