Minister Nzimande congratulates NSFAS for passing the 400 000 mark on their 2021 applications
The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, congratulates the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for having received over 493 904 applications to date.
With only four weeks left before the closing of the NSFAS 2021 application cycle, an analysis has revealed that the number of applications received to date has almost doubled the number of applications received in previous cycles on the same timeline.
By this time last year during the 2020 application cycle, NSFAS had only received over 287 769 applications. “Female applicants account for a 68 percent (338 324) of the total, while male applicants only account for 32 percent (155 543). This trend has been continuing in this trajectory for the past three years,” said Minister Nzimande.
The Minister said there has been major improvements from provinces which were extremely low in the past two years with the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Free State and North West, having doubled their previous year’s statistics. “These latest statistics are encouraging and give an indication that NSFAS’s efforts in providing easy access through partnerships are yielding positive results,” said Minister Nzimande.
KwaZulu Natal remains the highest province with applications accounting for 26 percent of the overall application's statistics. Seconded by Gauteng with 21 percent and Limpopo with 17 percent respectively.
“We remain highly grateful to the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for their continuous support and partnership. NYDA centres and Teacher’s Centres across the country will remain operational NSFAS application centres throughout the application cycle. We would like to encourage applicants to use these centres,” said Minister Nzimande.
The application cycle will close on November 30, 2020. As part of new and exciting innovations NSFAS has launched a Virtual Outreach Exhibition (VOE), which is an interactive live streaming session. The VOE is a 3D online portal where a user can embark on a virtual tour of NSFAS products and services, virtual exhibition simulation, real-time engagement virtually interface, watch application demonstration on how to apply, and live stream events.
VOE is available 24 hours a day without restrictions on location or time. This platform is based on two principles: accessibility and innovation, connecting people, object & spaces through enhanced visualisation and enabling them to interact. The VOE is accessible via the NSFAS website www.nsfas.org.za/content/outreachapp. Applicants can access in-demand content such as How to apply video, pre-recorded video and download NSFAS content and digital poster. The platform is compatible and available using a mobile device, tablet or PC.
Enquiries:
Ishmael Mnisi
0660378859
