Delay in paying UP students’ NSFAS allowances
This after social media users blasted the university for allowing students to write tests without study material after delaying their NSFAS allowances.
The University of Pretoria is currently working around the clock to process payments to students funded by the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
This after social media users blasted the university for allowing students to write tests without study material after delaying their NSFAS allowances.
“Students are about to enter their test week with no textbooks because the university delayed their NSFAS textbook allowance.
ALSO READ: UPDATE: NSFAS agrees to fund 300 000 students
In fact, some students have already completed their test week with no textbooks,” said Muloiwa Thendo.
“When I enquired about this, I was told that only two people in the entire university are administering thousands of payments,” alleged a social media user, BM Baduza.
Baduza said the person she dealt with told her “you’re a pretty girl, I’m sure you can make a quick plan to get textbooks”.
When I went to enquire about this I was told that only 2 people in the entire university are administering thousands of payments and he preceded to say “you’re a pretty girl, I’m sure you can make a quick plan to get textbooks”🙃
— beulah_baduza 🇵🇸 (@beulah_baduza) March 7, 2019
They apparently also have not released accommodation funds and there are students who are being evicted due to this💔
— Thendo Muloiwa (@MuloiwaThendo) March 6, 2019
The fact that UP carries on as if nothing is wrong, is honestly disgusting and appalling https://t.co/Yoj4XVCagB
— Mam'ncane (@miss_sam_i_am__) March 8, 2019
The university said it had received instructions from NSFAS at a very late stage to not pay book allowances via third parties such as Fundi card. Instead, they were told to make direct deposits into students’ bank accounts.
Tuks spokesperson Thamie Mthembu said the decision was followed by a meeting between student representatives and NSFAS representatives.
“At this meeting students, requested funds be paid directly into students’ bank accounts.”
“While the university was ready to pay the book allowances into the Fundi cards, it had to abandon that process on short notice and make alternative arrangements to pay students directly.
“However, before the old process could be altered, approximately 9 000 students had to first fill in payout forms and provide the necessary supporting documentation.”
Mthembu said these forms then had to be captured, processed, validated on the system and approved before students could receive the funds.
“This is a time-consuming process, which has resulted in delays.”
“The university is doing everything in its power to ensure students are paid as quickly as possible.”
Meanwhile Unisa confirmed it has received an amount of about R247-million from NSFAS.
The university said it had already begun with the disbursement of allowances to qualifying students.
ALSO READ: NSFAS warns of new phishing scam
Unisa spokesperson Thomas Huma said the university sent SMSes to students on Wednesday, asking them to collect their Intellimali cards at the Unisa regional office.
“Intellimali has also confirmed that students are being sent their pins today to access their allowances.”
Students may activate their cards in one of the followings ways:
– Downloading the app and following the instructions on the card
– Activating the card on the web
– Activating the card at any merchant, such as bookshops, Checkers, USave or Shoprite (should they wish to draw cash).
ALSO READ: Deadline looming for NSFAS appeals
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