NSFAS delay frustration for registering students

Some first-year students at the University of Johannesburg were in a panic yesterday as they failed to register for their studies because the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was still processing their applications on the day that registrations closed.

Tebogo Maroga was among firstyear students that were unable to register as his application was still undergoing financial eligibility assessment.

“I have applied well in advance, and when I checked online, it says my application is still undergoing financial assessment. I could not register.”

Maroga has been accepted to study for a BSC in mathematics. However, he is uncertain if he will able to study at UJ this year.

“It is incredibly frustrating. At least give me feedback. I need to know where I stand.”

Social media was also abuzz with students who were inquiring about their applications that are still undergoing financial eligibility checks.

However, UJ spokesperson Herman Esterhuizen said the university reached an agreement with NSFAS to only unblock students who have already received a letter of confirmation from.

“We unblocked 6 500 students that applied and qualified,” said Esterhuizen.

Yesterday, EFF student command also urged students who have applied and have been approved to visit the varsity’s financial department for registration.

However, SRC secretary Maputla Letlhogonolo Mawela, said they were aware that many students failed to register because their NSFAS applications were still undergoing financial means tests. Mawela said they had written to the registrar and to the finance department to extend the registration period for popular courses.

“As the student representatives, it is our responsibility to ensure that students are not left out. The university had a meeting today, and we are hoping that they will give us positive feedback on Monday.

By last night, NSFAS did not respond to the Saturday Star’s questions.

Instead they sent a statement from the office of the Director-general of Higher Education and Training.

“Grade 12 learners who have registered their information through the central application house in 2019 and have been successful in securing an academic space at an institution and identified themselves as meeting the DHET bursary scheme criteria will be considered for funding by Nsfas,” the statement read.

It further stated that these students will be not be required to pay registration or upfront fees.

“These students will be registered subject to them signing an agreement that they would be liable for their fees if found not to be financially eligible in terms of the R350 000 household income threshold.”