Students at centre of new fund model

THE National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says it will roll out the student-centred model at universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.

This new model would allow the scheme to establish a direct relationship with students from the time they entered higher education until post-graduation, NSFAS chairperson Sizwe Nxasana said yesterday. He briefed the media in Pretoria on progress of applications and funding of university and TVET college students.

“Students will apply directly to us and we will notify them on whether their application was successful or not. If they do receive funding, the allowance goes directly to the students and they manage it themselves,” he said.

The current model involved students applying through the university, and NSFAS funding them through the university instead of directly to the students.

Nxasana said there would be major benefits from the new model. –