Minister announces progress on university funding
More than R370-million has been claimed by universities for student assisted funding so far.
The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, MP said in a media statement issued today that the importance of education cannot be over-emphasised and access to higher education and training cannot be determined by a student’s socio-economic conditions, but by the capacity to excel in studies. “This remains the government’s promise to not exclude poor students,” he said as he gave an update on the implementation of the R4.5 billion government has committed for financial assistance to poor, but academically deserving students.
Minister Nzimande said to date, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) had received claims amounting to R373.3 million for 17 580 students. Institutions were experiencing difficulties in locating students who are on the historic debt list as some had managed to source funding elsewhere prior to the government’s announcement. “It is envisaged that a large amount from the historic debt allocation will be made available to support unfunded first year students,” he said.
A further R68.5 million for 1 269 registered continuing students who were on the historic debt list and who qualified academically for continuing funding has been claimed by universities.
‘The deadline for institutions to submit claims to NSFAS was 31 August 2016. We trust that the amounts claimed by institutions will improve significantly,” said the Minister.
