In a country where two out of three young people are unemployed, despite being capable and eager to work, access to quality education is important.
Youth Capital, a youth-focused advocacy campaign, has launched a national survey to explore the impact of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) failures on young South Africans.
The survey aims to document stories about how the funding system is affecting students academically, financially, and emotionally.
If you are a student in South Africa relying on NSFAS to fund your studies, you have probably experienced more stress than support, and somehow, you are still expected to carry on with your studies like nothing is wrong.
It is time we started talking about it. That is why Youth Capital has launched a survey to hear from students. Not government reports, not official press releases, but real experiences from the people living through it every day.
For many young South Africans, NSFAS is more than just financial aid. It allows them to attend university; it pays for their food, accommodation, transport, and textbooks. Without it, they are left struggling to survive. Yet, every year, students are faced with the same issues. Funds arrive late or not at all. When something goes wrong, it feels like no one is listening. No one picks up the phone, and appeals go unanswered for months.
Since it was created in 1999, NSFAS was supposed to help cover these important student expenses. However, the fund has been involved in several scandals over the years. The recent decision to dissolve the NSFAS board and place the scheme under administration might sound like progress. But for many students, it comes far too late. Some have already dropped out. Others are still waiting to receive money that was promised to them months ago.
This survey is an opportunity to speak up, to show what is really happening to students across the country, and to put pressure on the system to change. If you have struggled with NSFAS, whether you are currently studying or not, please take the time to share your story. Your voice matters, and when we speak together, we are harder to ignore.
Find the survey on youthcapital.co.za
We cannot afford to stay silent.
EKTA SOMERA
Youth Capital community facilitator
Umkomaas
HAVE YOUR SAY
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