The intervention follows a meeting between Cassim and NSFAS Administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula, where concerns over lengthy funding investigation delays, outstanding student appeals, allowance payments and uncertainty around second-semester registrations were discussed.

NSFAS revealed that it is still awaiting academic data from institutions for 4,138 students whose cases are under GAP investigations, a verification process used to confirm registration, academic eligibility, accommodation and enrolment details.

Cassim criticised the lengthy delays, saying students should not be left waiting for months for answers.

“The Deputy Minister emphasised that he respected the GAP investigations and vetting processes conducted by NSFAS to verify student registration, enrolment, accommodation, and academic results, to eliminate potential fraud and to verify the academic eligibility of beneficiaries. However, he stressed that it is unacceptable for students to have to wait up to five months for their GAP investigations to be completed,” the Department of Higher Education and Training said.

NSFAS said it has processed 2,361 GAP investigations, restoring funding to affected students, out of more than 10,000 cases.

In response, Cassim requested a list of affected students per institution and directed the department’s university branch to assist NSFAS in obtaining outstanding academic information needed to finalise investigations.

The meeting also resulted in commitments by NSFAS to finalise 1,515 Unisa GAP cases by Friday and urgently address funding concerns affecting more than 400 Nelson Mandela University students enrolled in Extended Programmes.

The Deputy Minister further raised concerns about funding for Unisa students who need to register for the second semester, which begins next week.

According to the department, NSFAS has not yet committed to funding arrangements for second-semester registrations, citing a funding deficit and ongoing work on a submission to the ministry.

“The Deputy Minister expressed his displeasure at the delay in this process and will follow up to ensure it proceeds without further delay,” the department said.

Cassim also questioned the timing of NSFAS allowance payments to institutions, arguing that delays in transferring funds contribute to students receiving allowances late.

He specifically called for improvements to the payment schedule for the R316 personal care allowance paid to Unisa students.

Student appeals and customer service challenges were also discussed.

NSFAS informed the Deputy Minister that appeals are now handled directly by institutions following the removal of the appeals tribunal under the current administration.

During a visit to the NSFAS call centre, Cassim found that some student queries were taking months to resolve.

“It’s important that we improve our response rate to student queries at all times. On my side, I will ensure that the DM’s Helpdesk works closely with NSFAS so we can collaborate to assist students more effectively,” said Cassim.

“My office is available to assist NSFAS in improving its services where it can, and I have advised the Administrator, Prof. Mathebula, to ensure he supports officials within NSFAS who are patriotic professionals wanting to make a positive contribution.”

The intervention has already led to NSFAS deploying teams to the Central University of Technology to assist students living in non-accredited accommodation who have experienced delays in receiving allowances.

Despite the concerns raised, NSFAS assured the Deputy Minister that there are currently no outstanding allowance payments, including those for TVET college students.