Students need a 75% pass of their modules in order to continue receiving funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
This is contained in a document presented by the scheme during a consultative session regarding new funding policy which was attended by student leaders from 26 public universities on Monday.
In the new NSFAS eligibility requirements for continuing university students, a minimum of 75% course pass rate must be achieved by all continuing students who are not first-time entering students in 2022.
“This requirement will become effective as of the 2023 academic year. This means that continuing students who are not first-time entering students in 2022 must achieve a 75% course pass rate for their 2022 studies in order to qualify as an eligible continuing student. Students who fail to meet this requirement will be allowed to appeal and subject to the appeal criteria as specified in the policy standard,” read the document in part.
Student leaders yesterday told Sowetan they feared that many beneficiaries will be left in the cold if the policy is adopted.
University of KwaZulu-Natal student representative council (SRC) president Malusi Zuma said the rate must remain at 50% as the proposed 75% will put more pressure on students.
“This is not fair for students because according to department of higher education, 50% is the required pass rate,” he said.
South African Union of Students (SAUS) spokesperson Asive Dlanjwa said they will not adopt any policy or funding guidelines that seek to exclude the poor, working class majority.
“We are against the 75% pass rate. This is foolish and will depress a lot of students. There is nothing wrong with the 50% pass rate as universities do not exclude students when they achieve a 50% pass rate. Students are suffering from depression as it is because they have a lot of work,” he said.
NSFAS spokesperson Kagisho Mamabolo said the scheme is currently embarking on its normal stakeholder engagement road shows across the country.
“As we always do, in due course, communication will be sent to students regarding 2022 funding policy and guidelines, should there be any changes. At this point, NSFAS is unable to make public comments on any stakeholder engagement processes and the issues that are still on the table,” he said.
Among other proposals on the table, NSFAS now wants to pay private accommodation directly to landlords, to have accommodation capped at R33,000 per annum.
However, student leaders have rejected the proposal.
Wits University SRC president Cebolenkosi Khumalo said the proposal on accommodation does not make sense, especially because the cheapest accommodation for a student staying in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, is about R44,000 per annum and university accommodation is between R50,000 and R60,000.
“However, the scheme was not clear as to what is their plan for students who are already in the system. We are also concerned about the scheme dropping all students doing second degrees. For instance, Wits can take only 100 LLB students and the rest are directed into studying BA Law which does not guarantee you a job,” he said.
University of Free State SRC president Jerry Thoka said they were told that the scheme anticipates a budget deficit of R10m next year.
“Those staying in accommodation not accredited will have to top up from their own pockets. We plan to meet with the minister of higher education (Blade Nzimande) in two weeks so that we can discuss these new guidelines,” he said.
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