The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) postponed the opening of its 2025 online applications, which was initially set for September 16, 2024. After discussions with student bodies and a test run of the new online application system, the opening was rescheduled to September 20, 2024.
During a media briefing, Minister Nobuhle Nkabane emphasized that the delay was necessary to address issues with the application process and NSFAS’s performance. Feedback from consultations highlighted inefficiencies and the need for systemic improvements, which NSFAS plans to implement before launching the 2025 application cycle. These changes aim to simplify the application process and ensure smoother functionality.
The postponement of the NSFAS 2025 online applications launch to September 20, 2024 came after extensive consultations with key student formations and a dry run of the updated system. The discussions involved prominent student organizations like the Progressive Youth Alliance, Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command, and others. These consultations highlighted significant issues with NSFAS’s system, particularly inefficiencies in payment processing and student funding decisions.
Minister Nkabane explained that the feedback from stakeholders suggested NSFAS needed to rethink its entire approach to avoid “reinventing the wheel.” Some of the proposed changes include targeting a larger number of enrollments across community colleges, public and private TVET colleges, and universities, as well as aligning curricula with national skills requirements.
The improvements are intended to ensure a streamlined, user-friendly process and address long-standing student frustrations.
