As universities and other tertiary institutions prepare to open for the 2023 academic year, many are concerned that the National Student Financial Aid Scheme will cause further delays in the registration process.
Universities registration periods for the academic year 2023 commenced on 16 January 2023 and are expected to close on 20 February 2023.
Last year, Nsfas announced that additional plans and measures are in place to ensure a delayed and hassle-free start to the 2023 academic year.
The late release of matric results has already prompted concerns about whether it would delay the scheme’s turnaround time to communicate funding decisions.
According to Walter Sisulu University in the Eastern Cape, it’s all systems go for the 2023 academic year, and they are ready to handle thousands of students who will flock in for first-year registrations.
However, about seventy percent of students enrolled at the university are dependent on funding from Nsfas and the scheme has not made any funding confirmations as of yet.
The institution’s registrar, Dr. Lulumile Ntonzima says that if the bursary scheme delays students funding decisions it will further delay the universities’ registration process.
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“We are starting our teaching and learning on the 6th of February, so let’s assume Nsfas comes just a week or a few days before that so that we can confirm the registration of those students,” says Ntonzima
Dr. Ntonzima says they are engaging with partners at Nsfas and are hopeful that funding decisions will be confirmed in time to complete the enrolment processes.
Earlier this month, the bursary scheme reminded students that once the Institution has confirmed that an academic offer has been made, application results will be sent to all applicants.
Nsfas noted that funding decisions will be communicated to all students via SMS, email, and myNsfas accounts.
Applications for Nsfas funding for the 2023 academic year are still open and will close on 31 January 2023, prospective students have been encouraged to submit their applications to avoid missing the deadline.
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Demzyportal Category: NSFAS
