Nsfas Scam Exposes Deceptive Students. Around 45,927 Students Exposed for Submitting Fraudulent Documents to Nsfas. Approximately 45,927 students have been disqualified from receiving funding through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) due to their involvement in submitting falsified or fraudulent documents.
Manipulation of Parental Relationships Leads to Disqualification
These students initially provided accurate parental information during their initial application process. However, when their applications were rejected due to their parents’ financial status, they resorted to a deceptive tactic. They reapplied with altered parental relationships in an attempt to gain a more favorable outcome.
Revealing the Truth through Re-evaluation
During a comprehensive re-evaluation of the applications, Nsfas’ system identified the original information that had been previously submitted, exposing the manipulation attempts. This revelation came to light following a meeting between the board of Nsfas and Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, on August 8th.
Application Status Reassessment Results
After diligent reconsideration of funding applications, the Nsfas board confirmed that 14,703 applications were reinstated, while 31,224 remained disqualified. The predominant reasons for disqualification were either the students’ household incomes exceeding 350,000 or returning students failing to meet the required academic progression criteria, which entails passing at least 50% of all registered modules or adhering to the N+ rule.
Avenues for Appeal and Documentation Submission
Students who find themselves disqualified are provided with an opportunity to appeal the decision and present additional supporting documents in their defense. This allows for a fair review of individual cases.
Challenges Faced and Student Protests
In recent times, the Nsfas system faced significant challenges, including system collapses and delays in allowance payments. In response to these issues, students took to the streets, staging marches and pickets at the Union Buildings in Tshwane. Their protests were driven by dissatisfaction with allowance disbursements and a strong objection to third-party interference in the allocation of allowances.
Nzimande’s Endorsement of Student-Centred Model
Minister Nzimande reiterated his support for Nsfas’ implementation of the Student-Centred Model, which focuses on prioritizing students’ needs throughout the scheme’s operations. This model not only ensures that students are at the core of all decisions but also streamlines processes related to the distribution of funds for various purposes, such as tuition, transportation, food, and accommodation.
