More than 6,500 first-time applicants from the Eastern Cape who were hoping to benefit from the state’s free higher education, or secure a study loan from the government, have been rejected due to “disparities” on their declared household income.
The rejected students were given until March 8 to appeal.
According to the the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), about 70% of the students who applied for funding have been approved.
Of the 45,737 applications received from Walter Sisulu University, University of Fort Hare, Rhodes University and Nelson Mandela University and students from technical and vocational educational and training colleges, 32,750 students qualified for funding this year, pending registration.
NSFAS spokesperson Kagisho Mamabolo said the applications of 6,601 students were unsuccessful due to information that the scheme had received from third parties, such as credit bureaus, regarding their household incomes.
“There were disparities on the total household income declared versus the credit check income verification,” he said.
Applicants whose household incomes were R350,000 and less per annum automatically qualify for government’s free education.
This was announced in December 2017 by former president Jacob Zuma.
The free education would come in the form of a bursary awarded by NSFAS, while those who earn more than R350,000 per year might qualify for a study loan.
By the time of writing NSFAS had not responded to the Dispatch’s request for more details on the discrepancies that were found, or to the question of how many students qualified for a free bursary.
“Students who want to dispute their funding outcomes because of change to household income or South Africa Social Security Agency (Sassa) status may lodge an appeal and provide supporting documents to Nsfas to ensure that we consider their new household income details,” said Mamabolo.
Appeals will be considered only on the following grounds: Material change in combined household income such as proof of loss of income;
Loss of a bursary or sponsor in the 2018 academic cycle where documented proof should be provided;
If the student was rejected due to failure to meet academic criteria and can provide supporting information and documentation that give details of the reasons that affected your performance;
If the student had a gap year in NSFAS funding or failed to register previously and could not reapply for funding;
If more than one student from the same household are concurrently enrolled at the same university or TVET college and; and
If you are applying for an approved postgraduate qualification. An appeal form can be obtained and downloaded from the NSFAS website, www.nsfas.org.za..