Note to Editors: Please find attached soundbite by Matlhodi Maseko MP
Universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) owe the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) almost R12 billion.
Various universities owe NSFAS R10.46 billion, while TVETs owe R1.48 billion. The debt was accumulated between 2017 and 2023, and NSFAS and the higher education institutions are reconciliating the amounts, which is also part of an ongoing audit by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA).
This was revealed by the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, in answer to a written parliamentary question from the DA.
Given the recent mid-academic-year defundings of NSFAS students that force many of them to abandon their studies, or leave them destitute and hungry, the DA encourages NSFAS to use the recouped funds to ensure that students receive their allowances on time and to ensure that no student is defunded mid-year, especially if NSFAS previously indicated that they would be funded. While the DA understands that NSFAS must root out payments to students that do not meet the funding requirements, mid-year defundings is a NSFAS failure to process students correctly and in time and should not be used to punish students.
The DA will continue to keep a close eye on the money owed to NSFAS, as well as the amount of money NSFAS owes higher education institutions.