By MSINDISI FENGU
Higher Education minister Blade Nzi-mande has revealed that the University of Fort Hare (UFH) has been allocated R819-million this academic year.
The allocation was made by the Na- tional Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
According to a parliamentary report recently, Nzimande said an amount of R89.9-million had already been transferred by NSFAS to the university in the form of upfront payments and in-year payments against claims made on the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) loan funds.
The overall amount set aside for the university was R99-million less than last year.
Nzimande said 8889 UFH students were successful in their NSFAS appli-cations. He said the rest of the students would have applied for other loan schemes and could have been successful.
Of the total number of successful students, 7605 students had signed their loan forms. He said 542 UFH students who had applied for financial aid from NSFAS were unsuccessful.
Nzimande said more than R300-million, which is part of the total allocation, was for UFH’s historic debt.
UFH vice-chancellor Mvuyo Tom revealed last year that the university student debt amounted to R67-million.
Nzimande was responding to questions from DA MP Yusuf Cassim.
Fort Hare spokeswoman Zintle Filtane had not responded to questions at the time of writing yesterday.
SRC president Bulali Rawana confirmed the NSFAS allocations made to UFH. However, Rawana said the university had denied that the transfers had been by NSFAS.
Last month, Rawana said the university had agreed to allocate money from its coffers to assist students, but has since backtracked after students agreed to stop their protest.
He said students have requested for an internal audit to be undertaken into the university’s finances and management has agreed.
The audit is expected to begin today.
Rawana said more than 1000 students had not received their allowances.
DHET spokesman Khaye Nkwanyana referred questions to NSFAS, which indicated that a response would be provided later yesterday.
Walter Sisulu University spokeswoman Yoliswa Tukwayo and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan had not responded to questions at the time of writing.
Rhodes University spokeswoman Catherine Deiner referred questions to DHET for a comment as she was going to a meeting. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
R819m allocated for Fort Hare to assist student finances
Higher Education minister Blade Nzi-mande has revealed that the University of Fort Hare (UFH) has been allocated R819-million this academic year.
The allocation was made by the Na- tional Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
According to a parliamentary report recently, Nzimande said an amount of R89.9-million had already been transferred by NSFAS to the university in the form of upfront payments and in-year payments against claims made on the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) loan funds.
The overall amount set aside for the university was R99-million less than last year.
Nzimande said 8889 UFH students were successful in their NSFAS appli-cations. He said the rest of the students would have applied for other loan schemes and could have been successful.
Of the total number of successful students, 7605 students had signed their loan forms. He said 542 UFH students who had applied for financial aid from NSFAS were unsuccessful.
Nzimande said more than R300-million, which is part of the total allocation, was for UFH’s historic debt.
UFH vice-chancellor Mvuyo Tom revealed last year that the university student debt amounted to R67-million.
Nzimande was responding to questions from DA MP Yusuf Cassim.
Fort Hare spokeswoman Zintle Filtane had not responded to questions at the time of writing yesterday.
SRC president Bulali Rawana confirmed the NSFAS allocations made to UFH. However, Rawana said the university had denied that the transfers had been by NSFAS.
Last month, Rawana said the university had agreed to allocate money from its coffers to assist students, but has since backtracked after students agreed to stop their protest.
He said students have requested for an internal audit to be undertaken into the university’s finances and management has agreed.
The audit is expected to begin today.
Rawana said more than 1000 students had not received their allowances.
DHET spokesman Khaye Nkwanyana referred questions to NSFAS, which indicated that a response would be provided later yesterday.
Walter Sisulu University spokeswoman Yoliswa Tukwayo and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan had not responded to questions at the time of writing.
Rhodes University spokeswoman Catherine Deiner referred questions to DHET for a comment as she was going to a meeting. — msindisif@dispatch.co.za
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos