Slow start for 2021 NSFAS applications, but expected to arrive later



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“I want to assure South Africans that all of our universities are fully committed to completing the 2020 academic year by mid-March 2021. Twenty-five universities are expected to start the 2021 academic year at the end of March 2021 and one university in April,” he said Nzimande.

He said the dates were in line with the expected publication of the results of the National Certificate of Basic Education for the Elderly on February 23, 2021.

“Despite the crisis that Covid-19 caused, valuable lessons have been learned. Again we have been starkly reminded of the high levels of inequality prevailing in South Africa in general, as well as in higher education, ”he said.

Tuition and accommodation fees

Nzimande said he had written to all university councils with a proposal for a rate increase linked to the CPI by 2021.

“This would be 4.7% on tuition fees and 6.7% on accommodation fees, in line with previous years. I am awaiting the response of the university councils on this issue, ”he said.

This when he released instructions in the government bulletin to provide a framework for tuition and accommodation fees in the university sector for the 2020 academic year.

These include, but are not limited to, students staying in university-owned, operated or rented accommodation, who will not have to pay additional accommodation fees.

Nzimande, however, said he knew there could be additional costs for students in private accommodation.

“In this regard, we urge all private accommodation providers to work within this national framework as set forth in this government bulletin and request that, whenever possible, universities assist students in negotiating with private providers on this. affair.

“I urge all of us to work together to find the best possible solution to help our students complete the academic year effectively, within the budget constraints we face as a country and within our sector.”

TimesLIVE



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