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By Johnathan Paoli
With applications for the 2025 academic year expected to open next week, higher education students who wish to apply for financial aid are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) administrator Sithembiso Nomvalo has confirmed that certain bugs within the application programme had been ironed out and that the application process would be smoother, more user-friendly and accessible for prospective applicants.
Students can start applying from Tuesday.
Nomvalo was speaking during a meeting held by Higher Education and Training Minister Nobuhle Nkabane.
In a significant step towards enhancing engagement with the education sector, the minister conducted a series of meetings with various stakeholders over two days, which served as an introductory session between the department and key representatives from the higher education and training sector.
The intention of the meetings was to foster collaboration and dialogue.
On the first day, Nkabane engaged with student political formations and representative organisations, including the Progressive Youth Alliance, the African National Congress Youth League, the South African Students Congress, the Young Communist League, the Congress of South African Students, the Economic Freedom Fighters Student Command, the uMkhonto weSizweParty Student Wing, the Pan Africanist StudentMovement of Azania, and the Democratic Alliance Student Organisation.
These discussions aimed to address student concerns and perspectives as the new academic year approaches and to ensure that the forthcoming NSFAS application process was smooth and effective.
Nkabane used the opportunity to outline the key features of the online application system and gather input.
On the second day, she met representatives from the South African Union of Students, the South African Technical Vocational Education and Training Sector Association, and the Universities South Africa Forum.
Their focus included aligning the new NSFAS application process with the needs of higher education institutions and addressing any operational challenges.
The minister told reporters that the engagements marked a proactive approach by her department to ensure that all voices were heard and considered in the implementation of critical education policies.
She said the outcome of the discussions would play a pivotal role in shaping the future of student financial aid in South Africa.
INSIDE EDUCATION