Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Yusuf Cassim MP, met with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Acting CEO, Mr Laurence Aadnesgaard, and his management team on Friday, 6 November 2026, to discuss student issues raised through the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk, including outstanding student allowance payments, delays in Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme payments, and other administrative challenges affecting students’ well-being.
The Deputy Minister's Office, through its Helpdesk, serves as an interface and a helping hand for students needing their issues resolved within the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector.
The Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk has been frustrated by a significant number of outstanding NSFAS matters that have been escalated but remain unresolved. This prompted a meeting with the new CEO. The Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk does not have operational control over NSFAS. Its role is limited to receiving, escalating, and rigorously following up on student queries to ensure NSFAS addresses them appropriately.
The engagement on Friday provided an opportunity to raise these matters directly with NSFAS, to seek clarity on outstanding cases, and to discuss appropriate follow-up.
Unisa allowances and Funza Lushaka payments
The meeting addressed concerns about outstanding Personal Care Allowances and Funza Lushaka payments affecting students at the University of South Africa (UNISA)
NSFAS confirmed that it had transferred Personal Care Allowance funds to UNISA on 30 October. However, the university was reportedly still reconciling and awaiting the necessary internal approvals for outstanding November allowance payments. NSFAS undertook to engage with UNISA on Monday, 9 November, and to provide further updates on the status of payments to affected students.
Regarding Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme payments, NSFAS has made payments, including the latest payment batch of R37,511,300 on Friday 06 during the Deputy Minister’s engagement.
Of the 2,955 Unisa students in the 2026 Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme, 2,413 students (81.7%) have successfully received their allowances.
A further 106 students are expected to be paid after submitting updated documentation for the end-October allowances.
Of major concern, 343 students have outstanding documentation. Follow-up emails have been sent to encourage them to complete the required submissions.
In addition, 7 students have not yet provided their banking details. They have been sent the link to update their information.
Regarding Funza Lushaka Payments for the University of Venda (UNIVEN), NSFAS has confirmed payment of R5,144,150 to the institution on Friday 06, with proof of payment presented to the Deputy Minister’s office.
Institutional cases and student queries
Specific cases submitted through the Deputy Minister's Helpdesk were also discussed, including:
Central University of Technology (CUT): Approximately 81 Extended Studies IT student cases were received through the Helpdesk, reportedly involving incorrect qualification coding issues affecting NSFAS funding and appeals.
Elangeni TVET College: 33 N6 students were reportedly recorded as having failed or not progressed academically, despite having passed their assessments, with implications for their funding status.
The Deputy Minister's Office has requested that these cases be reconciled with the relevant institutions and NSFAS to establish the full extent of the challenges, clarify affected student records and determine the appropriate steps to address them.
NSFAS and the Deputy Minister's Office agreed in principle to establish regular technical engagements to review cases submitted through the Helpdesk and monitor progress. NSFAS has also been requested to provide a written status report identifying resolved and outstanding matters, reasons for delays, any additional information required and anticipated resolution dates.
Funding guidelines and student allowances
Deputy Minister Cassim also called for a review of NSFAS funding guidelines, including the value and structure of student allowances.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that the Personal Care Allowance of R316 was insufficient to support students to succeed academically and should be increased. The Deputy Minister will continue to advocate for this as part of the review of the funding framework
Deputy Minister Cassim is also pursuing a workshop with the Ministry, DHET and NSFAS, expected to take place this week, to consider the funding and loan guidelines and the Student Accommodation Protocol ahead of the 2027 academic year. The date is still to be confirmed.
The discussions should also consider the specific circumstances of distance-learning students, including access to data support and the costs of attending compulsory practical sessions.
Student accommodation
Deputy Minister Cassim also raised concerns about students accommodated by a WestCol TVET College-accredited accommodation provider who had reportedly faced possible eviction due to outstanding payments.
NSFAS said it had paid the provider on 5 November and that the immediate threat of eviction had been lifted. Written confirmation has been requested, together with assurance that affected students remain accommodated.
"Student funding is central to ensuring that young people can access and complete their studies. When students experience delays, administrative difficulties or uncertainty about their allowances, these challenges can have a real impact on their ability to continue with their education,” said Deputy Minister Cassim.
"It is important that students have channels through which they can raise their concerns and receive feedback. Our engagement with NSFAS provides an opportunity to bring these matters directly to its attention and encourage the necessary follow-through,” added Deputy Minister Cassim.
NSFAS has indicated that it will work through all outstanding matters referred to the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk. NSFAS has further committed to systematically reviewing the outstanding list already provided by this office.
This will be done through a technical engagement with the Deputy Minister’s office so that progress can be tracked and follow-ups conducted on cases currently affecting students. Students who have specific NSFAS issues that may not yet be on the existing list are encouraged to submit them directly to the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk at Dmsdesk@dhet.gov.za. The office will escalate these matters and follow up aggressively until they are resolved.
Deputy Minister Cassim remains committed to ensuring that student concerns escalated via the Helpdesk receive the attention they need from NSFAS.
Enquiries:
Sipho Stuurman
Cell: 076 965 4880
E-mail: Stuurman.S@dhet.gov.za
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