NSFAS confirms TVET student beneficiaries have been paid 

Lerato Mbhiza 

The Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) confirmed on Tuesday that payments have been made to beneficiaries studying at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges countrywide for the month of September.

It said payments through its direct payment solution were affected for all students whose valid registration data has been received from institutions. 

NSFAS direct payment solution was introduced to TVETs in November 2022. The fund disbursed a total of R3,1 billion to 206,539 TVET college beneficiaries since the commencement of the 2023 academic year. 

“These payments were affected for all students whose valid registration data has been received from institutions. 

“This is worth celebrating as it is evident that NSFAS efforts to perfect the new payment system and adequately pay allowances on time are paying off, ” NSFAS said in a statement. 

Beneficiaries at TVET colleges were paid on 25 August 2023 whilst those at universities were paid on 2 September 2023, said the statement and added that there were students who have been paid but cannot retrieve their money because they have not yet fully authenticated themselves.. 

NSFAS  said  it remains committed to ensuring that all NSFAS beneficiaries are on boarded onto the new system and get to enjoy all the value-added services associated with the NSFAS Bank Account well into the 2024 academic year. 

“We encourage students with applications that still require relevant supporting documents to urgently upload supporting documents as failure to do so will result in the applications being canceled. The applicants were sent messages via email and SMS requesting them to upload supporting documents within a specified period,” it added. 

Last month, NSFAS appointed Werksmans Incorporated to investigate allegations against the NSFAS CEO Andile Nongogo and review the entity’s procurement systems and processes. 

Advocate Tembeka Ngcukaitobi SC and Mr Sandile July have been assigned to lead the investigation. 

The appointment follows the recent Board decision on the matter. 

“Once again, the Board of Directors wishes to reiterate its commitment to clean governance,” said Board Chairperson Mr Ernest Khosa. The investigation will commence in the new week, beginning Monday, August 21, 2023.

But a few days after that decision, Nongogo resigned.

INSIDE EDUCATION