Cabinet briefed on NSFAS preparations for 2024

As part of ensuring readiness for the 2024 post-matric academic year, the cabinet has been briefed on measures being put in place to avoid the challenges that have affected the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

. . cabinet was briefed on measures being put in place to avoid the challenges that bedevilled NSFSAS in the 2023 post-matric academic year,” the cabinet said in a statement on Monday.

Last month, the scheme announced that applications for financial aid for all pupils who wished to enter the postschool system and students who do not have financial assistance to continue their studies in the 2024 academic year would officially open on November 21 and close on January 31.

The NSFAS said the reason for opening applications in November was so that it could afford beneficiaries shorter turn-around times for decisionmaking, aligned to the financial eligibility assessment which requires updated SARS information.

The NSFAS said it was improving its data exchange processes with institutions to ensure seamless data integration and the registration of students onto its new direct payment systems.

At a media briefing addressed by

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni on Monday, the cabinet said minister of higher education and training Dr Blade Nzimande would provide details on measures to improve the NSFAS’s performance.

Nzimande earlier urged those wanting to enter the post-school system and students who do not have financial assistance to continue their studies to submit their applications for 2024 funding.

He also urged students wanting to study at any of the public universities and Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to apply timeously and not to wait until the last day.