Question NW1419 to the Minister of Higher Education and Training

Reply:

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has provided the data in response to the questions posed.

1. (a) In respect to universities, the following universities have experienced disruptions as a result of the delay since January 2018 (data as at 28 May 2018):

Universities	(a) Applications affected by the delay in payment of 2018 bursaries	(b) (i) Applications that are provisionally funded but where registration records have not been matched	(b) (ii) Applications where the bursary has been generated but not signed by students
Durban University of Technology	7195	6003	1192
Mangosuthu University of Technology	4680	4460	220
Nelson Mandela University	4781	4107	674
University of Fort Hare	3013	2833	180
University of Limpopo	4050	3350	700
University of South Africa	35001	26754	8247
Walter Sisulu University	12918	12918	WSU has submitted no registration data
University of Venda	4129	3726	403
Central University of Technology	4186	3423	763
University of Zululand	6203	5195	1008
University of KwaZulu-Natal	9888	9609	279
Cape Peninsula University of Technology	4919	4536	383

 

In respect to the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, the following colleges have experienced disruptions as a result of the delay since
January 2018 (data as at 28 May 2018).

Colleges	(a) Applications affected by the delay in payment of 2018 bursaries	(b) (i) Applications that are provisionally funded but where registration records have not been sent	(b) (ii) Applications where the bursary has been generated but not signed by students
Buffalo City	1513	488	1025
Ingwe	1514	1514	The college has submitted no registration data
Mopani South East	1108	317	791
Umgungundlovu	2345	1536	809
Umfolozi	644	610	34
Tshwane North	4199	3804	395
Northlink	1746	753	993
Goldfields	1182	1182	The college has submitted no registration data
Maluti	2872	2523	349
Flavius Mareka	1210	237	973
Vhembe	2678	998	1680

TVET college students apply directly to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for financial aid and to the colleges for allowances. In a bid to expedite payment of allowances, the Department has requested TVET colleges to proactively identify all students in need of allowances and submit their details to the Department for intervention.

2. (a) Twelve (12) universities and eleven (11) TVET colleges have experienced disruptions since 1 January 2018. In respect of universities, it should be noted that not all disruptions relate to NSFAS delays, and often features as part of a combination of other issues. Other matters such as security issues on campuses and student housing have also featured as causes of student protests.

(b) Upfront payments have been advanced to all universities and TVET colleges between January and April 2018, to ensure that funded students (first time entry (FTEN), senior and returning students) receive their allowances while NSFAS works on finalising the implementation of the bursary agreement, standardised allowances and data integration issues to enable it to generate the agreement forms and get contracts signed. To date, all universities and colleges have received three (3) upfront payments totalling R4.5 billion for the university sector and R2.5 billion for the college sector.

The universities where NSFAS is disbursing allowances directly to students through the sBux system have had intermittent disruptions due to unpaid allowances. This has been as a result of unloaded registration data for both new and returning students, and/or on account of records from 2017 not successfully migrating to 2018 (either because academic results were not loaded successfully in 2017, or 2017 Loan Agreement Form/Schedule of Particulars (LAFSOPs) were signed only in March and April 2018, and their statuses were not updated accordingly). Interventions at these institutions have therefore focused on assisting these universities with the successful uploading of academic results and registration data, thereby allowing for the disbursement of allowances. There have also been meetings with university officials, through the Office of the Executive and the University Servicing Team; ensuring that a solution is reached speedily with the university on how best to capture the data and effect disbursement.

For universities not on the sBux system, NSFAS has ensured that universities are aware that they are expected to use upfront payments – paid by NSFAS to all universities – to pay allowances to NSFAS-funded students. In some instances, where universities have cash flow problems, NSFAS has paid additional up-front funds to ensure that student allowances are paid.

In the case of TVET Colleges, NSFAS disbursed R18.7 million directly to 19 033 students through sBux. For colleges not on the sBux system, NSFAS has also ensured that these colleges are aware that they are expected to use upfront payments – paid by NSFAS to all colleges – to pay allowances to NSFAS-funded students.

The Department is working closely with NSFAS and institutions to ensure that challenges are resolved as a matter of urgency.