The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has restored funding for 182 Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) students who were adversely affected by the N+ rule due to incorrect qualification code updates.
The university effected the necessary qualification code corrections after the Office of Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister Yusuf Cassim contacted the institution regarding the more than 300 self-reported Helpdesk cases from TUT students.
The cases related to defunding under the N+ rule, which sets the maximum number of years a student can receive financial support from NSFAS, pending GAP investigations, dual registration, and data-sharing challenges between TUT’s financial aid office and NSFAS.
According to the department, after receiving the file from the Deputy Minister’s Helpdesk, TUT and NSFAS worked through the cases and identified and corrected the qualification codes of the 182 students.
“TUT has confirmed that funding for the affected students has been fully restored and that September allowances have been paid,” the department said in a statement on Saturday.
Cassim, accompanied by officials from the department’s university branch and NSFAS, visited TUT on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, to engage with the institution’s senior management, led by Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke, as well as Student Representative Council (SRC) leadership.
The engagement also revealed that 1 212 students had been placed in accredited accommodation after the NSFAS portal closed but have since not had their accommodation costs paid.
A further 115 students had their funding approved by NSFAS after the portal closed and faced the same predicament.
Cassim has accordingly written to the NSFAS Board, requesting that these cases be investigated without delay and that the affected students be assisted immediately.
NSFAS has further confirmed that payments have been processed for all successfully concluded GAP investigations.
Funding restored for TVET, university students
The department reported that funding has been reinstated for 2 476 Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college students nationally, including payments for students with valid registrations processed and issued from 25 August 2026.
Funding has also been reinstated for 3 234 university students.
Cassim has been following up consistently to ensure that all students whose funding was restored after the conclusion of GAP investigations receive their outstanding allowances.
“Consequently, NSFAS has indicated that if any student whose GAP investigation has been successfully concluded has not received their allowance, they may reach out to the Helpdesk to have their case escalated,” the department said.
On dual registrations, NSFAS received 2 982 records in which the same student was registered at more than one institution. Of these, 1 303 have been confirmed and are being paid.
TUT identified 16 cases of dual registration that had been resolved, but where funding had not yet been restored.
Cassim has urged the NSFAS to prioritise the matter.
“Although these issues might seem administrative, for students they are highly personal, affecting their ability to register, access allowances for meals, transport, or accommodation, and continue their studies. No student should miss academic time due to incorrect data or unresolved issues between the institution and NSFAS,” Cassim said. – SAnews.gov.za
