Question NW3666 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
28 November 2022 - NW3666
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
With regard to the letter dated 5 March 2022, written to him regarding the National Student Financial Aid Scheme undue decision to fund the Nogqengese twins, (a) what are the reasons that he has not yet intervened in the matter and (b) on what date will he and/or his department ensure that the matter is resolved?
Reply:
a) It should be noted that the Department is not aware of a letter dated 5 March 2022 to the Minister. However, it may be that the member is referring to Parliamentary Question 1485 (Annexure A). Please note that the Minister concurred with the 2022 NSFAS Eligibility Guidelines and conditions for financial aid in terms of section 4 of the NSFAS Act, whereby the first and second functions of NSFAS are to “allocate funds for loans and bursaries to eligible students” and to “develop criteria and conditions for the granting of loans and bursaries to eligible students in consultation with the Minister. In terms of Eligibility Guidelines and conditions for financial aid, applicants are eligible if the household income is R350 000 or less per annum.
b) The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation following a request to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to respond to Parliamentary Question 1485 on reasons why the students were not funded responded to the question which was tabled on 25 May 2022.