Question NW515 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training
14 March 2016 - NW515
Bozzoli, Prof B to ask the Minister of Higher Education and Training
(a) How many young South Africans fall into the group of so-called missing middle young South Africans who would be in university but for the fact that they cannot afford to finance their studies privately do not qualify for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) assistance on the means test, previously estimated by NSFAS as young South Africans coming from households with an annual income of between R120 000 and R400 000, (b) how much will it cost to provide adequate finances for university study for these students and (c) how were each of the above-mentioned figures calculated?
Reply:
a) The Department is not in a position to determine the number of young South Africans who are not at university and fall into the group of the so-called “missing middle” that cannot afford to finance their studies and do not qualify for financial assistance from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The number of students who apply to NSFAS for financial aid and fall into the missing middle category, and subsequently do not qualify will be captured in future as NSFAS migrates to the new student-centred model. The new model allows students to apply for funding directly from NSFAS where eligibility is determined through the NSFAS Means Test. All income information of parents, legal guardians and household members who are contributing to the income of the household will be reported and used in the financial means test. It is important to note that the availability of data is dependent on those students who have applied for funding.
b) Not applicable.
c) Not applicable.
Compiler/contact persons:
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DIRECTOR – GENERAL
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REPLY TO QUESTION 515 APPROVED/NOT APPROVED/AMENDED
Dr BE NZIMANDE, MP
MINISTER OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING
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