Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, says funding to universities and TVET colleges has increased from R20 billion in 2018 to R42 billion in 2021.
Nzimande says last year more than 750 000 students were financially assisted by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
Addressing the launch of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme application season for 2022 in Pretoria, Nzimande has promised to fund all deserving students next year.
“There is free higher education for the children of the working class and the poor in this country. That is a fact. The total number of university students including funding from other government departments increased by 45.4%. NSFAS has been particularly effective at targetting female students who constitute 61.5% of students funded by NSFAS,” says the minister.
National Student Financial Aid Scheme opens application season for 2022:
In September, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme called on the private sector to assist with funds for students in the tertiary sector.
NSFAS has received an unqualified audit opinion from the Auditor General.
NSFAS Board Chairperson Ernest Khosa has described the clean audit as a significant achievement in the right direction.
NSFAS receives unqualified audit: Ernest Khosa
Meanwhile, the former Walter Sisulu University student who was erroneously paid R14 million from National Student Financial Aid Scheme by Intellimali in 2017, Sibongile Mani, was back in the East London Regional Court on October 19.
She is facing a charge of theft as it is alleged she spent more than R800 000 of the money that was deposited into her account.
The payment she was due to receive was only R1 400.
The video below reports that Mani’s account has been blocked and she’s liable for the debt:
