Johannesburg – The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has announced that any unpaid student accommodation fees will only be processed once valid accommodation claims are submitted.
Addressing the worries about the possible eviction of thousands of students due to unpaid rent, NSFAS responded on Friday, January 24, 2025, affirming that it acknowledges the stance of the Private Student Housing Association (PSHA) regarding outstanding accommodation provider (AP) payments.
This week, PSHA warned that nearly 7,000 students risk eviction if NSFAS fails to pay the outstanding R44 million in unpaid rent within the next two weeks.
PSHA CEO Kagisho Mamabolo commented: “Last year, we reached an agreement not to evict students, contingent upon NSFAS clearing the outstanding debts by the end of the year. Unfortunately, that commitment has not been upheld.”
Mamabolo added: “Should NSFAS neglect to process these payments, we will regrettably have to bar students from returning to our residences.
“We simply cannot absorb these costs.”
On January 24, 2025, the student financing organization indicated that it has been liaising with service providers to resolve the matter.
“The NSFAS Administrator, Mr. Freeman Nomvalo, has been in discussions with PSHA leadership to address the raised concerns,” NSFAS stated in their announcement.
“The NSFAS Administrator has requested that PSHA furnish NSFAS with a list of affected APs and students to expedite the resolution of this situation.
“This request also extends to all APs with outstanding legitimate claims to submit their lists to NSFAS for further processing and verification.
“NSFAS would like to remind all APs that payments for student accommodation will only be finalized once valid accommodation claims are received.”
NSFAS stated that it will validate the claims and process payments for legitimate submissions that have not yet been distributed through institutions and NSFAS payment service providers.
“In the current academic year, NSFAS is implementing measures to ensure clarity and certainty regarding claims and disbursements,” the statement added.
“As a result, the NSFAS Administrator encourages all APs with unresolved claims from 2024 to send their claims to the specific email address NSFASAccomProv@nsfas.org.za for further communication with NSFAS.”
Meanwhile, many students have taken to social media to voice their anxieties.
Student Gift Zulu noted: “NSFAS has made it a norm for us students to feel anxious this time of year, as we continuously wait for their delayed payments.”
“Every year, it’s the same letdown. Wondering whether they will provide the necessary funds or deny us… or cut off support in the middle of the term.”
Another student, Otlile Mokgautsi, expressed: “It’s incredibly stressful since we need to register now. We have been closely checking our portals.
“NSFAS is unresponsive; nothing changes. Each time, the situation stays the same. It’s immensely stressful being a student.”
