Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training, Mr Yusuf Cassim, MP, formally handed over to the University of South Africa (Unisa) management written complaints and enquiries from students, which included delays in the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Personal Care Allowance payments and the scaling back of data allowances, which are critical for distance-learning students.
Enquiries received through the Deputy Minister’s Help Desk detailed Unisa students’ frustration with delays in the July payment of the Personal Care Allowance and ongoing data and connectivity challenges. Over 93 000 students have been adversely affected by these delays.
During the engagement at Unisa, which included student leaders, Unisa management and NSFAS representatives, it was confirmed that NSFAS transferred funds to Unisa on 2 July 2026. However, the institution experienced a system glitch that delayed the processing of payments for some students. According to Unisa, the technical issue was resolved on Monday, 6 July 2026, and outstanding payments are being processed for all students.
Deputy Minister Cassim made it clear that students should not have been subjected to delays, given that the R316 Personal Care Allowance is already insufficient to meet students' needs.
“If we are being honest, R316 per month for a distance-learning student, which is less than the Social Relief Grant, is simply not enough given the resources students need to succeed academically. However, these are policy issues which can only be changed through the annual policy review change of NSFAS,” said Deputy Minister Cassim
Key Outcomes and Action Items
• Payment Schedules and Advance Funding:
Deputy Minister Cassim will write to the NSFAS Administrator, Professor Hlengani Mathebula, requesting a comprehensive briefing on the payment schedules for allowances to institutions. The Unisa incident highlighted process flaws, including NSFAS transferring funds about a week after the start of each month, which leaves institutions with limited time to process payments to students. A review of the schedule and better alignment are needed.
• Reconciliation of Funds Owed:
NSFAS has committed to deploying their finance department to Unisa next week to reconcile and resolve all outstanding funds and other financial matters, and to address alignment issues between the two organisations.
• Meeting with Unisa students:
Unisa management has committed to arranging a direct engagement between Deputy Minister Cassim and the Unisa student body to provide a platform for the Deputy Minister to listen to students directly and to understand the issues first hand.
- Policy Review Matters:
The Deputy Minister noted that the annual NSFAS policy review process, as well as the imminent review of the NSFAS Act, present opportunities to address the following issues:
- Unisa students registered for fewer than 10 modules are currently ineligible for allowances.
- The insufficiency of the Personal Care Allowance of R316.
- Unisa students currently receive no additional allowances beyond the R316 Personal Care allowance and the one-off book allowance.
- The funding model of distance learning institutions like Unisa,
On reflection, the Deputy Minister believes the visit to Unisa enhanced his understanding of these issues, which will guide his contributions to these processes at the appropriate time.
• Data Connectivity for Distance Learners:
Deputy Minister Cassim urged the Unisa Council to reconsider its decision to discontinue the monthly data allowance, emphasising that reliable connectivity is essential to effective distance learning.
The Deputy Minister further welcomed the Unisa Council’s efforts to negotiate with private partners to potentially provide low-cost data to its students; however, he maintained that a solution is needed to ensure students receive monthly data allocations.
• Student Support through the DM’s Helpdesk:
Deputy Minister Cassim reaffirmed his commitment to the Helpdesk, describing it as a vital “helping hand” that provides swift, personalised support to students by escalating queries and grievances and driving meaningful solutions.
“The concerns of our students are valid and must be addressed with urgency and empathy. We will continue to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to find sustainable solutions that ensure no student is left behind,” said Deputy Minister Cassim.
Deputy Minister Cassim further raised additional issues reported through the DM’s Help Desk. These included allegations that students were receiving less than the R316 of their Personal Care Allowance from Unisa. The University denied these incidents, despite being presented with evidence by the Deputy Minister, and requested that all reported cases from the Help Desk be forwarded so that they could investigate and provide individual responses.
The DM’s Helpdesk remains available to assist students, queries can be directed to: Dmsdesk@Dhet.gov.za
Enquiries:
Sipho Stuurman
Cell: 076 965 4880
Email: Stuurman.S@dhet.gov.za
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