NSFAS responds to TVET students’ issues after protest
Ekurhuleni West TVET College students demand disclosure of NSFAS statement of funding.
On March 19 the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) office responded to students’ concerns following a student protest that took place on March 12 at Ekurhuleni West TVET College (EWC) in Tembisa.
A student leader who wished to remain anonymous in fear of victimisation said the students were demanding disclosure of statements on NSFAS’s funding allocated to each student for tuition fees and allowances.
“The money allocated to each student for allowances is too little.
“Each student is getting R1 950 instead of R3 000 which students in other campuses are getting,” said the anonymous student leader.
She said instead of divulging the legal statement of funding EWC fraudulently prepared forms to be used by learners to redeem their NSFAS allowances.
The students believe the EWC management in Tembisa is stealing the money for themselves and therefore they demand to see the NSFAS statement of funding.
“Currently students are being evicted by landlords for being unable to pay for accommodation. Some students are forced to walk long distances because NSFAS is not paying out the due funds,” said the student leader.
She said some learners will be forced to drop out due to NSFAS failing to pay out.
The Tembisan contacted NSFAS offices for clarification on the issues and they were eager to respond to the allegations.
NSFAS spokesperson Kagisho Mamabolo said the NSFAS regional office was at the college during the protest and attended to all queries raised.
“Some students were provided with information to assist them to unlock their allowances.
“For 2019, NSFAS issued an upfront payment of R1 950 for all students funded by NSFAS as allowances to cover for the first two months.
“The R1 950 amount includes the personal care of R275 for two months and transport or accommodation of R700 for two months.
“It is important for students to note that the R1 950 was for two months and going forward they will receive only monthly allowances,” said Mamabolo.
On the matter of NSFAS’s funds statement disclosure, Mamabolo said the institutions received a remittance list which shows amounts allocated to each student.
He said NSFAS does not encourage institutions to share the remittance list with students because it contains student confidential information.
“Institutions create statements for students and indicate amount allocated. Students who need this information can visit the student support office or financial aid office.
“NSFAS regional officers are available on call from students at campuses and constantly interact with college head offices. The students of Ekurhuleni West College (Tembisa campus) requested NSFAS/DHET guidelines training once their SRC elections were finalised. We agreed to the proposal and await their invite,” Mamabolo explained.
On the issue of learners being kicked by landlords and others having to walk long distances due to funds not being paid out, Mamabolo said the matter was dealt with during the protest.
“All students who had received their allowances through NSFAS Wallet but who were unable to access the funds due to incorrect cell numbers that were provided were assisted to create MyNSFAS profiles and update their contact details in order to access allowances.
“NSFAS also collected a list of students who registered late and did not receive upfront allowances for payment,” Mamabolo responded.
He added that NSFAS will take the matter of students dropping out very serious and will continue to engage with the institution and the student to ensure that no NSFAS funded student drops out due to allowances not received.
