The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will hold its inaugural NSFAS Board media briefing on Wednesday afternoon to provide an update on updates on the 2025 academic year application process, disbursement of student allowances, improvements to the ICT system, and the status of the appeals process.

The media briefing will be held at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in Pretoria at 1 pm.

NSFAS said the briefing aims to provide insights into recent governance and administrative developments within the organisation. 

It will also include updates on the 2025 academic year application process, disbursement of student allowances, improvements to the ICT system, and the status of the appeals process.

The briefing comes as NSFAS continues to face serious operational challenges affecting thousands of students across South African universities and TVET colleges. 

Delays in funding disbursements, unresolved applications and communication breakdowns have left many students without access to essential needs such as food and accommodation.

The persistent issues have drawn criticism from public institutions and students alike. 

Many have also raised concerns over NSFAS-accredited accommodation, citing inadequate sanitation, poor infrastructure and ongoing safety concerns.

In response, Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela has recently announced an urgent overhaul of the NSFAS funding model. 

The a media briefing in Pretoria, the Minister outlined the Department’s plan to stabilise NSFAS as a key priority within broader reforms to the post-school education sector.

The new funding model is expected to be developed within the next three months. 

The decision follows widespread concerns around governance failures, delivery backlogs and funding shortfalls.

“There have been fundamental challenges at NSFAS,” Manamela said.

However, he said that more than 800,000 students have received their allowances this year.

To address the issues, Manamela has instructed the NSFAS chairperson and CEO to hold a national briefing to inform the public, particularly students, about the current state of the scheme and the steps being taken to resolve outstanding problems.

Engagements with the National Treasury are already under way to address funding gaps, and a Post-School Education and Training (PSET) task team will be established to lead a broader overhaul of the sector.

“These interventions are aimed at ensuring access to education, improving accountability, and restoring public trust in the scheme,” Manamela said.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News

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