Despite earlier assurances from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), approximately 800 TVET College students have yet to receive their April 2025 allowance payments. This was confirmed by Minister of Higher Education and Training, Nobuhle Nkabane, who addressed the ongoing concerns surrounding delayed student funding.
Delays at One TVET College Still Unresolved
According to Minister Nkabane, the affected students are all enrolled at a single TVET college. While NSFAS resolved the majority of delayed payments earlier in the month, these remaining students have continued to face difficulties in receiving their allowances.
“We acknowledge that a specific group of approximately 800 students at a specific institution is experiencing challenges with the transfer of funds,” said the Minister. “The Scheme is committed to rectifying this matter by 30 April 2025.”
Apology and Commitment from the Minister
Minister Nkabane apologised directly to the affected students, stressing that delayed payments are unacceptable, especially considering that students rely on these allowances for essential living costs.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused by the delays in allowances. We are committed to ensuring that our students receive the essential support efficiently and promptly,” she added.
Payment Delay Timeline and Online Confusion
Just last week, NSFAS dismissed online warnings about allowance payment delays as “fabricated information” and “aimed at causing unnecessary confusion.” However, payment processing for many students was delayed by at least 24 hours, with some only receiving their funds on Sunday instead of the usual Friday.
Though most students have now received their April 2025 payments, the 800 students still waiting serve as a reminder of how disruptions in the payment system can significantly impact lives.
What NSFAS Is Doing About It
NSFAS confirmed that it is working closely with its financial services provider to resolve the outstanding payments and prevent similar issues in future payment cycles.
“NSFAS is actively collaborating with its financial services institution to resolve this issue and prevent any recurrence in the coming months,” the agency stated.
NSFAS has also urged students to rely only on official communication channels for updates and to avoid circulating unverified information online.