The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has not yet been able to confirm funding eligibility for first-time entering students wishing to study in public universities in 2021.

addressing the public Minister of higher Education Blade Nzimande said that he is we are  that this is causing great anxiety for prospective students and their families, given that the academic year is about to start and registration processes and induction programmes are already underway at the majority of institutions. This situation has also put considerable pressure on institutions, which have been unable to finalise their admissions and registration processes.

Nzimande says  NSFAS is facing a shortfall on its funding for 2021, which means that it has been unable to confirm funding for new university students.

He said the reason  for this short shortfall, firstly is because of COVID-19. "We had to continue to pay NSFAS allowances even at the time when universities were closed, as part of students’ access to multimodal teaching and learning. This means we had an extended academic year which we did not allocate additional money for. Secondly, we had budget cuts across government departments. Thirdly, because of the deteriorating economic situation, were many NSFAS applicants who were not previously meeting the funding requirements for NSFAS now do.  Due to COVID -19  a majority of them qualifies because their parents lost their jobs in the process." said Nzimamde 

He added that this deteriorating situation is alao associated with budget cuts which started a long time  ago before COVID-19.

In terms of the laws and policies regulating public finances for departments and entities, including the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), NSFAS is not able to commit to funding students without the requisite budget available to support this commitment.

"I am however pleased to formally announce and confirm today that NSFAS is going to be funding all returning NSFAS beneficiaries students who meet the academic and other relevant criteria for continuing their studies." 

In this regard, the usual processes apply, whereby institutions share the relevant registration data and information with NSFAS, which is then able to confirm the  funded lists of students with institutions.

The funding Guidelines for universities for 2021 will be finalized as soon as Cabinet has made a determination in this regard.

Nzimande says they have agreed with all universities that they will extend their registration period for  first time entering students for two weeks, so that none of the first-time entering students are disadvantaged by the delay in the finalisation of this matter.

The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation has been building comprehensive programmes, systems, controls through establishment of guidelines, protocols, capacity building, at all levels firmly grounded in the growing body of science and latest epidemiological data in responding to COVID-19.

COVID-19 is here to stay for the foreseeable future. It is not seasonal. This means that we must all stay alert to the changing landscape and keep on planning for months and possible years ahead.

I applaud the many students who have adapted to these difficult circumstances, and developed new ways of learning and of coping.