NSFAS to inspect poor-quality student residences at Fort Hare from next week

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) will start monitoring and compliance inspections of student residences at the University of Fort Hare next week following concerns about poor living conditions and student funding delays.

Deputy Higher Education and Training Minister Yusuf Cassim visited the university’s East London campus on Monday after students raised concerns about the condition of residences, student safety and prolonged delays in funding.

During the visit, Cassim met with university management, the Student Representative Council (SRC), student leaders and other stakeholders.

The delegation also inspected two East London-based residences identified by the SRC. One NSFAS-accredited residence was found to have no proper showers, study or laundry rooms, while another institution-leased residence was also found to have concerning conditions.

As part of the agreed action plan, SRC accommodation officers in East London and Alice will provide NSFAS with lists of residences and the specific problems reported at each facility.

NSFAS will then conduct monitoring and evaluation compliance inspections, with the Deputy Minister’s office receiving progress updates, including on consequences for those responsible for accrediting non-compliant residences.

The university and NSFAS will also address delays involving the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme, extended programmes and other outstanding bursary matters.

University financial aid officials will work with NSFAS to update qualification codes for extended programmes to ensure funding assessments reflect the correct programmes. This is expected to assist students whose funding was discontinued because of incorrect application of the N+ rule.

The Deputy Minister’s office will further follow up on an outstanding Wholesale and Retail SETA bursary complaint.

The university’s Chief Financial Officer will provide NSFAS with a list of unpaid residences, the number of affected students and student case details. The institution has committed to expediting payments to these residences.

“Students cannot study properly in residences with sewage problems, no hot water and no proper place to cook or study, and they should not wait months for funding that has already been allocated to them,” said Cassim.

He said his office would continue tracking the agreed actions and that he would return to Alice to inspect the residences himself.