PRETORIA, Gauteng — Widespread NSFAS allowance delays at Unisa have triggered direct intervention from Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training Yusuf Cassim, who recently confronted university management over severe funding bottlenecks affecting distance learners. Seeking to resolve the escalating crisis, Cassim formally submitted a comprehensive dossier of student grievances directly to the institution’s leadership.
The Core Grievances: Care Stipends and Digital Access
The heart of the dispute revolves around two critical lifelines for students: the personal care allowance and monthly data provisions. According to Cassim, students are currently receiving a personal care stipend of just R316 per month. He highlighted the stark reality that this amount falls short of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant distributed by the Department of Social Development. Compounding the financial strain, these funds are frequently disbursed late in the month, leaving learners struggling to cover basic needs when they need them most.
Furthermore, the recent discontinuation of monthly data allocations has severely hindered distance-learning students who rely heavily on internet access for academic research and participation.
Unpacking the Payment Bottlenecks
Addressing the root causes of the NSFAS allowance delays, Cassim pointed to systemic scheduling flaws within the funding pipeline. The most recent funding tranche from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme was only transferred to Unisa on July 2. Because the standard payment schedule typically releases funds roughly a week into the new month, universities are immediately placed under immense pressure to manage irate students.
The July transfer, occurring just before a weekend, also triggered internal system glitches at the university, further stalling the disbursement to legitimate beneficiaries. In response, Cassim has formally written to the NSFAS administrator—appointed after the entity was placed under administration and parliamentary scrutiny months ago—to demand a comprehensive review of the payment timetable to ensure timely future disbursements.
The R800 Million Data Dilemma
The elimination of data allowances presents a separate but equally pressing financial dilemma. Cassim revealed that the responsibility of supplying data to NSFAS beneficiaries previously fell squarely on Unisa’s internal budget, costing the institution in excess of R800 million annually.
During its last budgetary cycle, the Unisa Council voted to scrap the provision, arguing that the massive expenditure carried an unsustainable “opportunity cost” that detracted from its core academic priorities. The Deputy Minister has urged the university’s leadership to reconsider this stance, though he acknowledged that reversing the decision would require formal adjustments by the Unisa Council during their budgetary processes.
The Deputy Minister’s Digital Help Desk
To manage the influx of frustrated learners across the post-school education sector, Cassim’s office operates a dedicated support channel. Students experiencing funding issues can contact the Deputy Minister’s help desk via email at [email protected].
Originally established by his predecessor, Dr. Mimi Kway, the initiative is currently undergoing a major digitization overhaul in partnership with MIC Sitta. Cassim noted that a dedicated team works around the clock to process inquiries and plans to meet with MIC Sitta shortly to finalize the digital transformation of the desk.
Legislative Reviews and Future Engagements
Looking beyond immediate fixes, the Deputy Minister is taking a hands-on approach to long-term policy reform. He scheduled a direct follow-up engagement with Unisa students to hear their lived experiences firsthand.
These grassroots insights will be instrumental as he prepares his submissions for two major upcoming legislative milestones: the annual NSFAS allowance review and the imminent parliamentary review of the NSFAS Act. By immersing himself in the current operational realities, Cassim aims to drive meaningful structural changes that will safeguard student funding for years to come.