NSFAS application extension welcomed

THE National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has extended the deadline for applications for student financial aid, a move welcomed by education activists.

NSFAS has announced to all learners, out of school youth and nonfunded students that after consulting with various stakeholders that the deadline for applications for student financial aid has been extended to Friday, January 21. The previous deadline was this past Friday.

The funding scheme said since the application process opened on November 2 last year and to date, more than 600 000 applications have been received from applicants who intend to further their post-school education at any of South Africa’s 50 TVET colleges and 26 public universities. NSFAS said at least 505 820 applications came from first-time applicants.

“NSFAS chairperson Ernest Khosa briefed the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Dr Blade Nzimande on the assessment done on the number of applications received to date,” the scheme said.

NSFAS has urged potential applicants to make use of the extension as there would be no further extension after the application deadline.

The move was welcomed by education activist Hendrick Makaneta, who called on higher education institutions to maximise support and funding for students this year, particularly for incoming first years.

“We hope that by January 21, 2022 all students shall have completed the online application with a view to setting the tone for the year and to make their academic work easier,” Makaneta said.

The activist added that access to post-school education depended on two fundamentals, ongoing support and funding.

“Student support is crucial especially for students who come from historically disadvantaged schools where society is struggling to produce better outcomes at school level.

“It is for these reasons that as activists in the terrain of education, we are making a call to university managers to prioritise students from poor backgrounds by giving them support and funding.”

He said funding alone was not a “one-size fits all” solution and that the sector needed to ensure students experienced a smooth transition from matric to university.

“The other burning issue is students with historic debt. This category needs assistance to also register… Unemployment is very high and we should not exacerbate it by turning our backs on students with historic debt,” Makaneta said.