Concerns have been raised in the South African Parliament and the Department of Higher Education regarding the limited number of students receiving financial aid from the National Students' Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The scheme, which provides funding for students, has been criticized for not doing enough to support those in need. According to Higher Education Minister, Buti Manamela, the number of students receiving funding is alarmingly low.
Minister Manamela expressed his concerns during a parliamentary committee meeting, where the department's financial report was presented. He stated that many students require financial assistance to pursue their studies, but only a few have been successful in securing funding. The Minister revealed that 53,000 students, known as the "missing middle," had applied for NSFAS funding but only 3,102 received support.
The "missing middle" refers to students whose parents earn between R350,000 and R600,000 per annum, making them ineligible for a full bursary but unable to afford tuition fees. In response to this challenge, NSFAS introduced a loan program for these students in 2024. However, the uptake has been low, with only a few hundred students benefiting from the program.
Deputy Director-General, Nolwazi Gasa, acknowledged that the department is concerned about the low number of students receiving funding. She suggested that awareness campaigns are needed to inform students and parents about the availability of NSFAS funding. Parliamentarians have also expressed their disappointment with the low numbers and urged the department to increase the number of students supported.
Minister Manamela has promised to engage with the NSFAS board, which has been reconstituted, to address the challenges facing student funding. The Minister also reported that 13 TVET colleges, including those in KwaZulu-Natal, received a clean audit report on their financial statements. However, some universities received adverse reports, highlighting the need for improved financial management.
The Auditor-General's report revealed that some colleges had incurred unnecessary expenses, while others had made significant improvements in their financial management. The report also noted that there was an increase in the number of colleges receiving clean audit reports compared to universities.
The Department of Higher Education has faced criticism for its handling of student funding, with many calling for an increase in the number of students supported by NSFAS. The department has promised to engage with stakeholders to find solutions to the funding challenges facing students.
Key points
- The NSFAS has only funded 3,102 out of 53,000 "missing middle" students who applied for financial aid.
