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"contents": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A whopping R2.8-billion has been disbursed as an upfront payment for universities to register students this academic year.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was announced by National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) acting board chairperson Professor Lourens van Staden, during an update on progress made in the payment of allowances in Pretoria on Monday, 4 March 2024.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Van Staden said NSFAS would make additional funds available in April to cover student accommodation and book allowances.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than R580-million had also been paid to technical vocational education and training colleges.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These upfront payments, he said, were meant to register NSFAS-approved students for 2024.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Universities began registration in February, but at the time several said they had challenges with NSFAS.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-02-04-universities-struggle-with-perennial-nsfas-issues-as-they-focus-on-admission-and-registration/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Universities struggle with ‘perennial’ NSFAS issues as they focus on admission and registration</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Van Staden said the board had ensured that upfront payments were inclusive of the registration period starting in January and that these institutions had adequate cash flow to cover registrations.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Van Staden took over from Ernest Khosa, who took a 30-day leave of absence in January to allow the scheme to deal with </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-07-recordings-expose-relationship-between-minister-nsfas-chair-and-suppliers/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allegations against him</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> relating to recordings distributed by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) linking him to kickbacks from service providers disbursing allowances to students.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outa made similar allegations against Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former NSFAS CEO Andile Nongogo was fired over a conflict of interest involving service providers.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-10-19-nsfas-ceo-andile-nongogo-faces-axe-after-conflict-of-interest-in-appointment-of-payment-providers/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NSFAS CEO Andile Nongogo faces axe after ‘conflict of interest’ in appointment of payment providers</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following delays owing to issues with registration details, Van Staden said the board decided to request that institutions pay the February and March allowances.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He said communication was sent to universities about the decision and financial aid managers were asked to confirm universities’ allowance payment commitment dates.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We encourage all our institutions to submit registration data to enable NSFAS to make catch-up payments,” Van Staden said.</span>\r\n\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2080963\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ED_485915.jpg\" alt=\"NSFAS\" width=\"720\" height=\"403\" /> <em>National Student Financial Aid Scheme acting board chairperson Professor Lourens van Staden briefs the media on progress in the payment of student allowances, in Pretoria on 4 March 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Lefty Shivambu)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To support institutions, Van Staden said NSFAS made two upfront payments to all institutions.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first payment had been made on 31 January and the second on 21 February.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“These upfront payments were made to institutions for them to use the funds to distribute student allowances. The majority of institutions committed to pay students from the last week of February 2024,” he said.</span>\r\n<h4><b>About applications</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Van Staden said NSFAS had received 1.936 million applications by 16 February.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applications closed on 15 February.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 1 March, he said:</span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Of the 1.936 million applications, 1.244 million are provisionally funded;</li>\r\n \t<li>18,345 registrations were received;</li>\r\n \t<li>59,723 awaiting evaluations;</li>\r\n \t<li>94,816 awaiting supporting documents;</li>\r\n \t<li>84,225 withdrawn by students;</li>\r\n \t<li>52,038 are in progress; and</li>\r\n \t<li>130,468 have non-starter status because applicants only created profiles and did not submit applications.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-2080965\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/NSFAS-Protest-Main.jpg\" alt=\"NSFAS\" width=\"720\" height=\"400\" /> <em>Students from Western Cape universities protest in Cape Town on 16 August 2023 against the introduction of a system of direct payment of allowances by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. (Photo: Ziyanda Duba)</em></p>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NSFAS had so far rejected 234,113 applications and 15,174 appeals had been lodged.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In relation to the 2024 loan applications, Van Staden said NSFAS received 30,287 applications as of 15 February.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We’ve pre-assessed and determined students who prequalify for the loan. Communication was sent to the students via the student portal to confirm whether or not they accept for NSFAS to process the loan application.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The loan, announced by Nzimande in January, caters for qualifying missing-middle students.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-14-nzimande-announces-nsfas-acting-chair-and-additional-r3-8bn-for-missing-middle/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nzimande announces NSFAS acting chair and additional R3.8bn for ‘missing middle’</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was for students who applied for a bursary but were above the income threshold for that but within the loan threshold.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Van Staden said the next step will be NSFAS asking institutions to submit admission data for registered students in line with requirements of the loan.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Varsities’ commitments</b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following universities, he said, committed to make payments to students: Cape Peninsula University of Technology on 29 February, Central University of Technology on 1 March, Durban University of Technology on 29 February, Nelson Mandela University on 1 March, North West University on 1 March. Rhodes University on 28 February, Sefako Makgatho University on 4 March, Sol Plaatje University on 26 February, Tshwane University of Technology on 4 March, University of Cape Town on 17 to 26 February and 1 March, University of Fort Hare on 26 February, Mangosuthu University of Technology (currently loading payments), University of the Free State (was processing payments), University of Johannesburg on 7 March, University of KwaZulu-Natal on 8 March, University of Limpopo on 26 February, University of Mpumalanga on 1 March, University of Pretoria on 4 March, University of South Africa on 4 March, Stellenbosch University on 29 February and 1 March, University of the Western Cape on 23 February and 1 March, University of Witwatersrand on 1 March, University of Venda on 26 February, University of Zululand on 1 March, Vaal University of Technology (NSFAS is currently engaging with the university for its registration data) and Walter Sisulu University on 23 February. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"name": "Students from Western Cape universities protest on 16 August 2023 against the introduction of a system of direct payment of allowances by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. (Photo: Ziyanda Duba)",
"description": "<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A whopping R2.8-billion has been disbursed as an upfront payment for universities to register students this academic year.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was announced by National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) acting board chairperson Professor Lourens van Staden, during an update on progress made in the payment of allowances in Pretoria on Monday, 4 March 2024.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Van Staden said NSFAS would make additional funds available in April to cover student accommodation and book allowances.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than R580-million had also been paid to technical vocational education and training colleges.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These upfront payments, he said, were meant to register NSFAS-approved students for 2024.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Universities began registration in February, but at the time several said they had challenges with NSFAS.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-02-04-universities-struggle-with-perennial-nsfas-issues-as-they-focus-on-admission-and-registration/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Universities struggle with ‘perennial’ NSFAS issues as they focus on admission and registration</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Van Staden said the board had ensured that upfront payments were inclusive of the registration period starting in January and that these institutions had adequate cash flow to cover registrations.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Van Staden took over from Ernest Khosa, who took a 30-day leave of absence in January to allow the scheme to deal with </span><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-07-recordings-expose-relationship-between-minister-nsfas-chair-and-suppliers/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">allegations against him</span></a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> relating to recordings distributed by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) linking him to kickbacks from service providers disbursing allowances to students.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Outa made similar allegations against Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Former NSFAS CEO Andile Nongogo was fired over a conflict of interest involving service providers.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-10-19-nsfas-ceo-andile-nongogo-faces-axe-after-conflict-of-interest-in-appointment-of-payment-providers/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NSFAS CEO Andile Nongogo faces axe after ‘conflict of interest’ in appointment of payment providers</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Following delays owing to issues with registration details, Van Staden said the board decided to request that institutions pay the February and March allowances.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He said communication was sent to universities about the decision and financial aid managers were asked to confirm universities’ allowance payment commitment dates.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We encourage all our institutions to submit registration data to enable NSFAS to make catch-up payments,” Van Staden said.</span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2080963\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2080963\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ED_485915.jpg\" alt=\"NSFAS\" width=\"720\" height=\"403\" /> <em>National Student Financial Aid Scheme acting board chairperson Professor Lourens van Staden briefs the media on progress in the payment of student allowances, in Pretoria on 4 March 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Lefty Shivambu)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To support institutions, Van Staden said NSFAS made two upfront payments to all institutions.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first payment had been made on 31 January and the second on 21 February.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“These upfront payments were made to institutions for them to use the funds to distribute student allowances. The majority of institutions committed to pay students from the last week of February 2024,” he said.</span>\r\n<h4><b>About applications</b></h4>\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Van Staden said NSFAS had received 1.936 million applications by 16 February.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applications closed on 15 February.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On 1 March, he said:</span>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Of the 1.936 million applications, 1.244 million are provisionally funded;</li>\r\n \t<li>18,345 registrations were received;</li>\r\n \t<li>59,723 awaiting evaluations;</li>\r\n \t<li>94,816 awaiting supporting documents;</li>\r\n \t<li>84,225 withdrawn by students;</li>\r\n \t<li>52,038 are in progress; and</li>\r\n \t<li>130,468 have non-starter status because applicants only created profiles and did not submit applications.</li>\r\n</ul>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_2080965\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"720\"]<img class=\"size-full wp-image-2080965\" src=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/NSFAS-Protest-Main.jpg\" alt=\"NSFAS\" width=\"720\" height=\"400\" /> <em>Students from Western Cape universities protest in Cape Town on 16 August 2023 against the introduction of a system of direct payment of allowances by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. (Photo: Ziyanda Duba)</em>[/caption]\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">NSFAS had so far rejected 234,113 applications and 15,174 appeals had been lodged.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In relation to the 2024 loan applications, Van Staden said NSFAS received 30,287 applications as of 15 February.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">“We’ve pre-assessed and determined students who prequalify for the loan. Communication was sent to the students via the student portal to confirm whether or not they accept for NSFAS to process the loan application.”</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The loan, announced by Nzimande in January, caters for qualifying missing-middle students.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Read more in Daily Maverick: </b><a href=\"https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-01-14-nzimande-announces-nsfas-acting-chair-and-additional-r3-8bn-for-missing-middle/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nzimande announces NSFAS acting chair and additional R3.8bn for ‘missing middle’</span></a>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This was for students who applied for a bursary but were above the income threshold for that but within the loan threshold.</span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Van Staden said the next step will be NSFAS asking institutions to submit admission data for registered students in line with requirements of the loan.</span>\r\n\r\n<b>Varsities’ commitments</b>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The following universities, he said, committed to make payments to students: Cape Peninsula University of Technology on 29 February, Central University of Technology on 1 March, Durban University of Technology on 29 February, Nelson Mandela University on 1 March, North West University on 1 March. Rhodes University on 28 February, Sefako Makgatho University on 4 March, Sol Plaatje University on 26 February, Tshwane University of Technology on 4 March, University of Cape Town on 17 to 26 February and 1 March, University of Fort Hare on 26 February, Mangosuthu University of Technology (currently loading payments), University of the Free State (was processing payments), University of Johannesburg on 7 March, University of KwaZulu-Natal on 8 March, University of Limpopo on 26 February, University of Mpumalanga on 1 March, University of Pretoria on 4 March, University of South Africa on 4 March, Stellenbosch University on 29 February and 1 March, University of the Western Cape on 23 February and 1 March, University of Witwatersrand on 1 March, University of Venda on 26 February, University of Zululand on 1 March, Vaal University of Technology (NSFAS is currently engaging with the university for its registration data) and Walter Sisulu University on 23 February. </span><b>DM</b>",
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"summary": "These payments were made so institutions could distribute student allowances, according to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme acting board chairperson. The majority of institutions had committed to pay students from the last week of February 2024.",
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National Student Financial Aid Scheme acting board chairperson Professor Lourens van Staden briefs the media on progress in the payment of student allowances, in Pretoria on 4 March 2024. (Photo: Gallo Images / Lefty Shivambu)
Students from Western Cape universities protest in Cape Town on 16 August 2023 against the introduction of a system of direct payment of allowances by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. (Photo: Ziyanda Duba)