NSFAS offers comprehensive financial support to eligible students, including bursaries and loans. This support covers tuition, registration fees, and living expenses like food, learning materials, and crucially, accommodation.
Thousands of NSFAS-funded students face eviction threats as landlords haven't received accommodation allowance payments. Reports reveal that many landlords haven't received payments for NSFAS-funded students residing in their properties.
Some have resorted to extreme measures, allegedly locking students out of their rooms.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) acknowledges the delay in payments to private accommodation providers and is said to be actively working on a solution. This delay disrupts student housing arrangements and could lead to evictions, jeopardizing their academic progress.
NSFAS Administrator, Freeman Nomvalo, has addressed the complaints of locked-out students and instructed staff to prioritize resolving these issues and has said:
To ensure that these developments do not further disrupt teaching and learning, the Administrator would like to urge the affected landlords to cooperate with the established NSFAS process to attend to all concerns.
To facilitate communication and address concerns, NSFAS has established a dedicated email address for all disputes or inquiries related to unpaid accommodation allowances: NSFASAccomProv [at] nsfas.org.za (NSFASAccomProv[at]nsfas[dot]org[dot]za).
Landlords are advised to submit any relevant documentation regarding outstanding payments by 10 May 2024 with Nomvalo saying:
All landlords are encouraged to deposit their disputes or concerns only insofar as outstanding payments are concerned.
NSFAS reiterates its commitment to working with all stakeholders, including students and landlords, to find a speedy resolution for these payment issues.
The Administrator wishes to apologise to all affected Institutions, students and landlords and commit to a speedy resolution. We are committed to working with all the stakeholders to find workable solutions for the betterment of the Post School Education and Training System.
The NSFAS accommodation allowance allows students, who wouldn't otherwise be able to afford it, to live near their institutions while pursuing their qualifications. NSFAS disburses funds for both on-campus and private rental accommodations.
