The Department of Higher Education says that there has been a 7% increase in the number of funded students in 2021 compared to 2020.
NSFAS was allocated R42 billion for the 2021 funding, with 421,331 university students and 202,055 being TVET College students
In a statement released by the Department of Higher Education, it read:
This number is expected to grow further in 2022 because of the increased demand for NSFAS funding as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
NSFAS has experienced challenges such as delayed funding and allowing payments, including budget reallocations.
The nation witnessed student protests and campus shutdowns in March 2021 due to student complaints concerning NSFAS and funding demands.
A day that I am sure that many will not forget is that of Mthokozisi Ntumba, who was shot at with rubber bullets, his life cut short at a Wits University protest that he was not part of.
2022 NSFAS funding applications are currently open and will close on 7 January 2022.
This year applications opened later than they normally would with the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, saying that this was due to the fact that NSFAS was developing a new application process that would allow its applicants to receive an instant response once their application was submitted.
NSFAS applications are done online. Should you need any assistance, you can visit a NYDA centre, Thusong Centre or the NSFAS walk-in centre for help.
There has been an increase of 7% in number of funded students in 2021 compared 2020 . This number is expected to grow further in 2022 because of the increased demand for NSFAS funding as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic @ButiManamela #NSFASOversightvisit
— HigherEduTrainingZA (@HigherEduGovZA) December 6, 2021
