Manamela describes new application portal model as a milestone

Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has described the new application portal for the 2027 academic year as a milestone for eligible students seeking funding to study at tertiary institutions.

Manamela and the Board of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has briefed Parliament’s oversight committee on the state of readiness and the effectiveness of the application portal.

Manamela told the Portfolio Committee on Higher Education and Training that the application portal funding system takes a holistic approach such as the registration, accommodation and verification on the eligibility criteria among other requirements.

“We must assess readiness across the full process application, verification, funding decisions, appeals, registration, accommodation and payment.

Opening that portal is an important milestone.

Readiness must then be demonstrated through reliable performance on each and every stage.

We have engaged the board on these matters including governance stability, executive capacity, the financial position, outstanding payments and also student accommodation.” Manamela admits that the current student funding model at tertiary institutions needs to be overhauled.

He adds that the development of a new, sustainable funding model is underway.

“I think we all agree even with your public jabbing of some of the people who said we need to do away with the NSFAS and so on.

I think we all agree that there are fundamental challenges that we need to address.

The issue of sustainability of student funding in our country.

The issue of the model that should implement that.

But I think the principles that I think are common is that we do not need middle people at facilitating business.

That we need a much more capable stronger state capacity.” The guidelines for student funding at universities should be completed by next year.