Is plan for stricter NSFAS bursary requirements due to AfriForum Youth case over arrears to students?

22 November 2021 

AfriForum Youth takes note of the planned amendment to the terms and conditions on which future students will be assessed by the National Financial Aid Scheme for Students (NSFAS).

In terms of the proposed amendment, students will have to pass 75% of their course modules in the future to still receive financial support from the scheme.

“The proposed amendment, where students will have to pass 75% of their subjects, is welcomed by AfriForum Youth as well as taxpayers,” said Bernard Pieters, Manager at AfriForum Youth.

AfriForum Youth and NSFAS are still involved in a court case brought by AfriForum Youth on behalf of students who have never received the promised funds from this scheme for the 2020 study year. The case was heard in the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town on 14 April 2021 and judgment is reserved. “If this ruling is in AfriForum Youth’s favour, thousands of students will probably have to receive payments that will put NSFAS in a difficult financial position. This may contribute to the academic merit constraints that NSFAS now wants to impose,” continues Pieters.

If staff, lecturers, or students have more information regarding the proposed amendment, they can send it to [email protected] who will handle it confidentially.

In the above court case, AfriForum Youth represents about 130 students, but if the ruling is in their favour, AfriForum Youth will be able to ask for a review so that all 5 000 students who did not receive the promised funding, and therefore is currently sitting with large amounts of unforeseen debt, can benefit from it. AfriForum Youth has expressed the hope that the ruling will follow soon so that the students can finalize their plans for 2022 and their uncertainty can finally be eliminated.

Get involved in the campus’ youth structures today and help make a difference: Send an e-mail to [email protected] or SMS “Kovsies” to 32687 (R1).

Issued by Chanté Kelder, Media Relations Officer, AfriForum Youth, 22 November 2021