Question NW4180 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

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14 December 2015 - NW4180

Profile picture: Bozzoli, Prof B

Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training

How many of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) applicants who applied for assistance in the 2014-15 financial year were (a) black, (b) coloured, (c) Indian and (d) white South Africans; 2) how many of the applicants to NSFAS in the 2014-15 financial year who were identified as financially needy were (a) black, (b) coloured, (c) Indian and (d) white South Africans; 3) how many of the NSFAS applicants who received funding from NSFAS in the 2014-15 financial year were (a) black, (b) coloured, (c) Indian and (d) white South Africans?

Reply:

  1. The estimated total number of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) applicants for university study in 2014/15, i.e. the 2014 academic year, was 289 105 applicants. The racial profile of applicants is not available, as it was not captured at the university level.
  2. Of those who applied, 240 092 met the NSFAS criteria.
  3. 186 105 Applicants received funding, whilst 53 987 applicants did not receive funding due to insufficient funds being available. The racial breakdown of students who received funding is tabulated below.

NSFAS allocations in 2014/15 by Race

Race

2014/15

 

Number of students

%

African

168 351

90.4

Coloured

8 139

4.3

Indian

1 527

1.0

White

5 255

2.8

Other*

2 833

1.5

Total

186 105

100%

*NSFAS was unable to provide this data due to the race group of these applicants not being identified.

 

Compiler/Contact persons:

Ext:

DIRECTOR – GENERAL

STATUS:

DATE:

REPLY TO QUESTION 4180 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED

Dr B NZIMANDE, MP

MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING

STATUS:

DATE:

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