In announcing the official opening of NSFAS applications for 2022, the Minister of Higher Education gave further details about NSFAS and it’s operations. In 2021, NSFAS spent billions on funding.
According to the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) spent R42 billion on NSFAS bursaries.
Funding by NSFAS increased by 107% from R20 billion in 2018 to R42 billion in 2021.
In 2020, the number of students benefitting from NSFAS amounted to 751 858 made up of 489 912 university students and 261 404 TVET college students.
Indeed, there is free higher education for the children of the working class and poor in this country, that is a fact.
University students funded by government, which includes funding by NSFAS, the Funza Lushaka Bursary, the National Skills Fund and SETAs, increased by 45,4% from 346 966 in 2018 to 504 366 in 2020.
NSFAS is opening its application season for learners and out of school youth from poor and working class backgrounds to apply for funding to study at public universities and TVET colleges in our country next week.
Nzimande said that now more than ever, the demand for student funding has increased, due to the pandemic and the effects it has had on the economy and employment.
As government, it is our duty to make sure that all those with potential are not prohibited by lack of funds to access post school education.
2022 applications will see NSFAS handle student applications efficiently and make the application process seamless, according to the NSFAS board.