The National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s list of student funding is causing delays at one of South Africa’s largest universities. Academic calendars are being affected by these delays.

Unisa Faces Delays With Nsfas Confirmations

The University of South Africa (Unisa) announces that funding confirmations from NSFAS are currently delayed. Thus, the institution’s plans to begin the academic year are negatively affected. There has been a delay in the confirmation of 2023 Nsfas funding applications, according to Unisa. As a result, the university cannot verify whether students who applied to study at the institution have funding for the academic year.

According to the institution, management is negotiating with NSFAS management to finalise the process of sending the funding list. As a result, Unisa is currently unable to commence teaching for the upcoming academic year due to the delay. “Unisa management is working with NSFAS management to finalise the process and inform them of the impact this delay is having on the academic calendar,” the university reported.

NSFAS-funded students will receive further information as soon as it becomes available, according to the university.  Returning students previously funded by Nsfas are advised to remain temporarily registered during Unisa’s registration period while waiting for Nsfas funding confirmation for 2023.

In the meantime, continuing students whose Nsfas applications for 2023 were declined should pay the Unisa minimum fees.While waiting for Nsfas funding confirmation, first-time Nsfas applicants must temporarily register for their Unisa course. They will be required by Unisa to find alternative funding if their Nsfas application is declined or delayed before the registration period closes.

“If your NSFAS application is provisionally approved, you do not have to pay the minimum registration fee. As soon as Unisa receives confirmation of NSFAS funding, your registration will be activated automatically. All Nsfas-funded students who pay the minimum registration amount to activate their registration will be refunded once their funding is confirmed by Nsfas. Nsfas will process the refund only once Unisa confirms successful processing of the registration data. Refunds are not required for students.