Student leaders call for urgent intervention
ALICE, EASTERN CAPE – Student leaders at Lovedale TVET College have called for urgent intervention over funding delays, outstanding results and bursary challenges that they say are affecting hundreds of students.
The call comes after the South African Students Congress (SASCO) and the Economic Freedom Fighters Youth Command (EFFYC) wrote to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), NSFAS, Services SETA and uMalusi.
The student organisations say the challenges have disrupted students’ academic progress and financial stability.
Students allege sudden defunding
According to SASCO and EFFYC, more than 90 students who had already been approved for NSFAS funding stopped receiving allowances in March.
The organisations say NSFAS later placed these students under what it called a “Gap Investigation”. However, they claim NSFAS did not explain the process or tell students why their funding had been affected.
Student leaders also allege that some students lost their accommodation after landlords received notices that the students would no longer receive NSFAS funding.
Many students rely on their allowances to pay for accommodation, transport and food.
Supplementary students still waiting
The organisations further claim that students who passed supplementary examinations still do not have funding.
According to the student leaders, the NSFAS portal remains closed and the college cannot upload academic results. As a result, students cannot be assessed for funding.
The organisations also allege that N+1 students who had been receiving allowances from February to May were suddenly defunded in June.
Outstanding results add to uncertainty
Student leaders say several students continue to wait for examination results in programmes such as Applied Engineering Technology Level 4 and Plant Production NCV Level 4.
They argue that the delays have created uncertainty about students’ academic progression and future funding.
The letter also raises concerns about the implementation of the Services SETA bursary programme. The organisations claim that some beneficiaries have not received all the benefits listed in their bursary agreements.
NSFAS shares broader initiative
ECnews Live sent questions to NSFAS about the allegations.
However, NSFAS did not directly answer the questions. Instead, the scheme shared an internal memorandum about a new campaign called “Risk to Responsibility.”
The campaign aims to improve student wellbeing and address issues such as financial vulnerability, gambling and substance abuse.
While the memorandum outlines broader support plans for students, it does not address the allegations raised by student leaders at Lovedale TVET College.
Awaiting further comment
SASCO and EFFYC say the issues have reached a crisis point and need urgent attention.
The organisations have called on the relevant authorities to investigate the matter and help affected students.
At the time of publication, NSFAS had not provided direct answers to the specific questions submitted by ECnews Live. The publication has requested further comment and will update the story if a response is received.
