NSFAS News today on Students Engaging on Fraud
In todays latest NSFAS News – To qualify for financial aid under the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, students must meet specific criteria. There will be legal consequences for students who submit fraudulent information in order to gain financial aid, according to the Department of Higher Education. Also Read: Is Your 2023 NSFAS Application Approved
Disadvantaged students who enroll in degree programs at public universities or TVET institutes can apply for bursaries through the National Student Financial Scheme (NSFAS).
Students who wish to receive NSFAS assistance must, among other things, fall under a certain income bracket (currently set at R350 000 per year).
It was recently reported that 35 students getting funding from NSFAS were caught lying on their applications and squandering their bursary money.
Ishmael Mnisi, a spokesman for the Department of Higher Education and Training, has expressed concern over students who have been caught engaging in NSFAS fraud.
Several students have been identified by NSFAS as having benefited fraudulently from the bursary scheme by providing fake information in order to receive funding. Also Read: How to Track NSFAS 2023 Application Status
The department claims to be coordinating closely with the South African Department of Home Affairs, the South African Revenue Services (SARS), and the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) to verify all applicant data.
Blade Nzimande, South Africa’s Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, has issued an open plea for any students who have received NSFAS funds illegally to come forward and seek forgiveness.
Mnisi warns that students who use the system to hide their dishonesty or misuse of cash will be held accountable in court.