Question NW4454 to the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
30 November 2022 - NW4454
Pambo, Mr V to ask the Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
(1)What (a) total number of students who applied for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme funding had their applications rejected in 2022 and (b) were the reasons for the rejection of their applications; (2) whether his department followed up on the students to see how many dropped out because they had no other means of paying for their fees; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
1) (a) A total of 143,117 applications were rejected in 2022.
1) (b) Below table presents the rejection reason and count of 2022 applications that have been rejected:
|
Rejection Reason |
Count |
|
Applicant is deceased as per DHA records |
4 |
|
Financially Ineligible (household income exceeds threshold) |
48,549 |
|
Highest level of qualification at which NSFAS may fund has already been achieved |
18,069 |
|
Insufficient information provided as a result NSFAS cannot make a funding decision |
65,233 |
|
Invalid National ID and/or names and surnames provided |
16 |
|
N+ Rule Exceeded |
10,525 |
|
Not compliant with the N+ Rule (funding pathway) |
62 |
|
Not compliant with the Academic Eligibility Criteria |
3 |
|
Not Eligible for NSFAS funding, funded by another funder |
656 |
|
Grand Total |
143,117 |
|
|
|
2. Currently the Department produces the First-Time Entering Undergraduate Cohort Studies for Public Higher Education Institutions Report which provides a national overview of the dropout and throughput rates within the university sector annually. The Department does not follow-up on students who have not succeeded but is considering doing tracer-studies to establish where graduates and those who have dropped-out are doing.