“We all know how hard it is to study on an empty stomach,” Sithole said. “If you don’t have food, you lack the energy to focus, and this leads to poor academic performance. Ultimately, students risk financial exclusion if they fail.”

While DUT’s SRC provides grants to assist students, Sithole noted that support is not universal.

“NSFAS needs to finalise its processes before registration starts so students can receive their allowances in February when classes begin,” he said. “Currently, many students only receive meal allowances in March or April, putting them at a disadvantage early in the academic year.”

Calls for Urgent Reform

Sbani Somafika, representing the Durban branch of the MK Student Movement, criticised both NSFAS and higher education institutions for their systemic failures.

“Returning students haven’t been coded for registration, and they are blocked for financial reasons,” Somafika said. “This shows the incompetence of the institutions and the SRC.”

Somafika called for urgent reforms, including reopening NSFAS applications for 2025 to accommodate students who have already registered but remain unfunded.

“No student should need to apply for a bursary or loan—free education is the solution,” he said.

Accommodation Crisis and NSFAS Payment Issues

The ongoing dispute between NSFAS and the Private Student Housing Association (PSHA) has further complicated matters. NSFAS recently stated that many accommodation providers have not been paid, leaving students in limbo.

NSFAS administrator Freeman Nomvalo urged affected providers to submit outstanding claims for verification, promising that legitimate claims would be processed promptly. However, students continue to bear the brunt of these administrative delays.

DUT’s media officer, Simangele Zuma, said the university’s financial aid unit has been proactive in engaging with NSFAS to resolve funding issues for approximately 300 returning students in 2024.

“Currently, there are no known students left in limbo, and the academic year is scheduled to commence on Monday, 10 February 2025,” Zuma said.

“Students are expected to arrive at their respective residences on the weekend of 8 and 9 February 2025. The necessary data has been shared with NSFAS to facilitate funding decisions for 2025,” she added.

According to DUT, weekly meetings are held with NSFAS to address challenges promptly. “We are committed to working collaboratively with NSFAS to minimise any potential negative impacts on students,” Zuma said.

NSFAS Defends Its Position

Despite widespread concerns, NSFAS spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi refuted claims of funding delays.

“There are no delays in the funding of students for the academic year. Payments will be disbursed based on validated registration data received from universities,” Mnisi said.

He explained that NSFAS had processed initial upfront payments to universities on 10 January to support students during registration.

“The upfront payment is based on 2024 registration data received, calculated as one month’s allowances and 50% for books. This translates to approximately 9.5% of the 2025 university allocation of R39 billion—totalling R3.7 billion for universities and R641 million for colleges,” Mnisi said.

Addressing concerns about funding gaps, Mnisi reiterated, “There are no delays. NSFAS makes payments based on valid registration data submitted by public institutions of higher learning.”

Regarding the potential increase in grants to keep up with rising costs, Mnisi said, “The increase in allowances is determined by the Department of Higher Education and Training. NSFAS’s responsibility is to disburse approved allowances.”

On ensuring transparency and accountability, NSFAS maintained that it adheres to strict procedures, with universities playing a key role in managing student allowances.

“NSFAS pays allowances directly to institutions, which are responsible for distributing payments to students,” Mnisi said.

#financial-exclusion

University students faces financial exclusion as 2025 academic year approaches | Student Survival 2025

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