Progress by NSFAS welcomed

PARLIAMENT’S portfolio committee on higher education and training said it had noted the progress made in the disbursement of funds to students by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

Committee chairperson Connie September said the rate of disbursement was encouraging but that NSFAS needed to work more closely with students so that further improvement could be achieved.

“The welfare of the poor and working-class students at colleges and universities should be a priority, especially in 2019,” she said.

September said the committee wanted the process of applying for funds to run smoothly this year, and certainty provided to students, parents and guardians when it came to applications and the registration of new and returning students.

NSFAS administrator Dr Randall Carolissen told Parliament that the number of students requiring NSFAS funding would increase dramatically in the future.

“The disbursement of funds needs to go together with a national framework agreement that addresses challenges of free education but also issues of accountability from the Department of Higher Education and Training and NSFAS on expenditure of funds.”

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