Students from Sedibeng TVET College say they have until Friday 8th March before they find themselves homeless.
This comes after the country’s leading bursary sponsor the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) failed to pay their landlords by covering the accommodation costs.
Many of the students who are finding themselves in the red zone revealed that they were in fact accepted to receive the NSFAS bursary. However, those most affected are students who live in private residences.
In an interview with news and entertainment publication Daily Sun, many expressed their frustration, further revealing that some have not received any funds since last year.
Despite landlords being patient until thus far, their patience has inevitably run out.
One of the students explained: “We have nowhere to go, and we don’t know people around here. Some of us come as far as Katlehong.”
Meanwhile, others explained that the delayed payments of accommodation and funds for living expenses have made their tertiary journey a miserable one.
Some have highlighted that the continuous worrying has left them unable to focus on their academics.
For parents – many who are working and lower class – these sentiments were similar.
“If I was working, I’d pay for my child, but I have nothing. It’s stressful to hear your children complaining about poor treatment from Nsfas,” a parent told the above-mentioned publication.
Meanwhile, in a recent statement issued by the bursary scheme, it was stated that the payments of allowances for February and March will be provided by the tertiary institution, and thereafter, students will have funds paid directly into their accounts from April onwards.
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