182 TUT students have funding restored after qualification code corrections
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) have restored funding for 182 students who were adversely affected by the N+ rule because of incorrect qualification code updates.
TUT effected the necessary qualification code corrections after the Office of Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim contacted the institution regarding more than 300 self-reported Helpdesk cases from TUT students.
The cases related mainly to defunding under the N+ rule, pending GAP investigations, dual registration, and data-sharing challenges between TUT’s financial aid office and NSFAS.
Upon receiving the file from the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk, the institution and NSFAS worked through the cases and identified and corrected the qualification codes of the 182 students. TUT has confirmed that funding for the affected students has been fully restored and that September allowances have been paid.
Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim visited TUT on Wednesday 9 September, accompanied by DHET University branch and NSFAS officials to engage with the institution's senior management, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, and with SRC leadership.
The engagement further revealed that 1 212 students were placed in accredited accommodation after the NSFAS portal closed and have since not had their accomodation paid for. A further 115 students had their funding approved by NSFAS after the portal closed and faced the same predicament.
Deputy Minister Cassim has accordingly written to the NSFAS Board, requesting that these cases be investigated without delay and that the affected students be assisted immediately.
NSFAS has further confirmed that payments have been processed for all successfully concluded GAP investigations.
Nationally, funding has been reinstated for 2 476 TVET college students. Payments for those with valid registrations were processed and issued from 25 August. Funding has also been reinstated for 3 234 university students.
Deputy Minister Cassim had been following up consistently to ensure that all students whose funding was restored after GAP investigations have been concluded, receive all their outstanding allowances. Consequently, NSFAS has indicated that if any student whose GAP investigation has been successfully concluded has not received their allowance, they may reach out to the Helpdesk to have their case escalated.
On dual registrations, NSFAS received 2 982 records in which the same student was registered at more than one institution. Of these, 1 303 have been confirmed and are being paid.
TUT identified 16 cases of dual registration that had been resolved, but funding had not yet been restored. Deputy Minister Cassim urged NSFAS to prioritise the matter.
“Although these issues might seem administrative, for students they are highly personal, affecting their ability to register, access allowances for meals, transport, or accommodation, and continue their studies. No student should miss academic time due to incorrect data or unresolved issues between the institution and NSFAS,” said Deputy Minister Cassim.
Enquiries: Sipho Stuurman
Cell: 076 965 4880
Email: Stuurman.S@dhet.gov.za
