More than 93,000 University of South Africa students have been affected by delays in receiving their July National Student Financial Aid Scheme allowances.
Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Yusuf Cassim has now intervened after receiving written complaints through his department’s Help Desk.
System Glitch Delays Student Payments
Cassim met Unisa management, student leaders and NSFAS representatives to discuss delayed Personal Care Allowance payments and changes to data support for distance-learning students.
NSFAS transferred the required funds to Unisa on 2 July 2026. However, a technical problem at the university delayed the processing of payments for some students.
Unisa said the system issue was resolved on Monday, 6 July. The institution is now processing the outstanding payments.
R316 Allowance Criticised
Distance-learning students currently receive a Personal Care Allowance of R316 per month.
Cassim said the amount was not enough to cover the resources students need to succeed academically. However, he noted that changes to the allowance would need to form part of NSFAS’ annual policy review.
The deputy minister will write to NSFAS administrator Professor Hlengani Mathebula to request a full briefing on payment schedules.
Cassim said the current system leaves institutions with limited time to pay students because NSFAS transfers funds about a week after the beginning of each month.
NSFAS has also committed to sending its finance department to Unisa to reconcile outstanding funds and resolve alignment problems between the two organisations.
Data Allowance Decision Questioned
Cassim also urged the Unisa Council to reconsider its decision to discontinue monthly data allowances.
He said reliable internet access remained essential for distance learning, despite negotiations with private companies to offer students cheaper data.
Other concerns include the exclusion of students registered for fewer than 10 modules from receiving allowances and the limited financial support available to distance-learning students.
Cassim also raised claims that some students received less than the full R316 allowance. Unisa denied the allegations but requested that individual cases be submitted for investigation.
Unisa management has committed to arranging a direct meeting between Cassim and students to hear their concerns.
Cassim said the issues must be addressed urgently and with empathy to ensure students are not left behind.
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