The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has made an urgent appeal to students and stakeholders to disregard a misleading message that has been circulating on social media.
The message falsely claims that the registration portal for 2025 has closed due to ongoing budget constraints, leading to a concerning level of confusion among current and prospective students.
NSFAS categorically denies this claim, labelling it a gross misrepresentation of its official stance and operational status. In a statement released by the Scheme, they expressed their discontent, stating,
“This inaccurate communication misleads students and stakeholders and undermines the reputation of NSFAS.” The organisation has urged the public to verify information before accepting it as fact, emphasising the necessity for accurate communication during this crucial time.
In a further clarification, NSFAS highlighted that on the 3rd of March 2025, it issued CIRCULAR NOTICE NO. 4 OF 2025, which confirmed that the NSFAS portal was indeed ready to receive valid registration data beginning on that date. The organisation reiterated that while the funding policy sets the cut-off for data submissions at the 31st of March 2025, institutions were strongly encouraged to submit their data by the 14th of March 2025 to facilitate timely processing and disbursement of funds.
Unfortunately, the NSFAS stated, some institutions, specifically the Durban University of Technology (DUT), did not abide by the recommended timeline for submitting required registration data. This non-compliance has had unfortunate ramifications, impacted the disbursement of tuition and lived allowances to eligible students attending those institutions.
Addressing the concerns of affected students, NSFAS confirmed that on the 6th of May 2025, it successfully released student allowance payments to the impacted universities, assuring that tuition fees disbursements would follow shortly. The integrity of financial aid and the support for students is paramount for NSFAS, as they remain dedicated to ensuring that eligible students receive their funding efficiently.
In light of this situation, NSFAS has called upon all institutions to comply strictly with stipulated data submission deadlines to prevent further delays in the funding process. The organisation remains vigilant in its pledge to protect the interests of students and sustain the flow of necessary resources for their academic success.
