NSFAS to fund more students
NSFAS board chairperson Sizwe Nxasa says the number of funded students is expected to rise to the region of 450,000
The National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has rejected more than 50,000 applicants for funding for 2017 because their academic results were too low or their household incomes too high. However, it said on Sunday it expected to fund 10% more students — up to 450,000 — this year, helped by the additional money that was set aside in the budget in 2016. The NSFAS update comes as universities open for the new academic year and a ministerial task team led by NSFAS chairman Sizwe Nxasana grapples with the challenge of funding “missing middle” students. The needs of these students, from households that earn more than the NSFAS ceiling of R122,000 a year but less than R600,00 have been a major issue in the student protests. NSFAS uses a means test to determine whether students are eligible for loans and 53,042 applicants did not meet the academic or financial requirements. Those wishing to appeal have until February 28. The scheme has so far granted funding to 309,788 students and N...
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