Several National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funded Stellenbosch University (SU) students have expressed concern about late payments from their bursary, according to Marc Ruiters, administrative officer for the finance division of the centre for bursaries and loans at SU.
“There are a lot of students who still need to receive payment. But the majority of NSFAS-[funded] students have received their first payment for the year,” said Ruiters.
The delay in funding from NSFAS was mainly caused by donors pulling out, and government officials rearranging funds due to the onset of Covid-19 in March 2020, explained Marc Ruiters, administrative officer for the finance division of the centre for bursaries and loans at SU. PHOTO: Kirsty Bucholz
Meanwhile, the NSFAS funding applications for 2022 opened on 2 November, according to the South African governments website. Currently, more than 8500 SU students are funded by NSFAS, according to Ruiters. This number will increase with the intake of new students for 2022.
The delay
According to Ruiters, before Covid-19, payments by NSFAS were done in two parts – one in May and the second in September.
“This year, the first payments were only received at the end of August. We’ve been allocating payments to students since then,” said Ruiters.
Ruiters explained that NSFAS-funded students receive their allowances from SU funds, which is why the funds are deducted from their student accounts. Only once NSFAS pays out, is SU able to settle student accounts and receive reimbursement for the allowances.
“Our goal in the office is to have all accounts settled by the end of the year. But it is also dependent on the fund itself,” Ruiters said.
If a NSFAS recipient has outstanding fees, they will be able to register if the minimum requirements for continuation of the bursary is met (50% of modules passed), according Martin Viljoen, SU spokesperson. “The following rule will apply – if the 2022 bursary award exceeds the outstanding amount and the first compulsory payment, students will be allowed to register,” he added.
The centre for bursaries and loans office at Stellenbosch University is in Admin A Building. NSFAS funded students are encouraged to make appointments to speak to the staff about their payment queries. PHOTO: Kirsty Bucholz
The issue
Hannah van Houweninge, a third year BSc chemistry student at SU has been funded by NSFAS since 2020. Van Houweninge has received her allowance from SU throughout the year, but only received her first payment from NSFAS on 29 September.
“It’s quite a nightmare and a bit of a stress because all of my marks are hidden,” she explained.
According to SU’s website, the outstanding balances on student accounts needed to be settled by 30 September. This means that all NSFAS-funded students who have not received their first or second payments do not have access to their final marks until their fees have been paid in full.
“When I finished my exams in June and then also around September I couldn’t access my marks, because NSFAS hadn’t paid out yet,” explained Kyle Wasmuth, a second year BA humanities student.
Kyle Wasmuth, a NSFAS funded second year BA humanities student, explains how he managed to access his marks. AUDIO: Kirsty Bucholz
Erin Hynch, a final year education student, is experiencing the same as Van Houweninge and Wasmuth. She explained to MatieMedia that she struggles to get effective responses from NSFAS and the bursaries and loans office.
“Often I don’t get an answer at all, or if I do get a response, it is automated with ‘information’ about NSFAS. But often it’s not helpful and doesn’t have the answers we’re looking for,” said Hynch.
Hannah van Houweninge, a third year BSc chemistry student at SU has been funded by NSFAS since 2020. She explains her frustration with NSFAS’s communication and late payments. VIDEO: Kirsty Bucholz
What students can do
Ruiters encourages SU students who are experiencing payment issues to contact the centre for bursary and loans office via email or telephone, the details of which are on their website. Students who would like to come into the office to speak to a staff member can make an appointment via their booking system.
MatieMedia reached out to NSFAS for comment, but had not received a response by the time of publication.