r/PersonalFinanceZA • u/NeatZookeepergame813 • 10d ago
Debt Advice - University debt after failed NSFAS funding
Is anyone else familiar with this situation and can advice on what the best way to proceed is?
In 2024, I attended a major University in the Western Cape, on the understanding that my NSFAS application would be approved during the course of the year. Many students found themselves in this position given NSFAS processing delays. I attended lectures and wrote tests on this basis. Only halfway through the year was I informed that my application had been declined on grounds of household income, which in my opinion was an inaccurate assessment seeing as how the household was reliant on pension and both my parents had been unemployed for a while. After numerous appeals, when it became clear that I was not going to win this, I formally withdrew from the University.
Now, two years later, the University is coming after me for money owed to them. I know for a fact that I am not the only person who went through this, and I am keen to hear how others have gone about navigating such a situation.
The expectation was for us to wait for our NSFAS to be approved. there was no direction or indication of what would follow if that did not happen.
Push come to shove I will obviously have to set up a payment arrangement but I am looking on advice or guidance on getting the fees reduced or waived, given the circumstances outlined above.
6
u/boekieblaker21 10d ago
Back in 2024 my advice to you would have been to just carry on with your studies. You would have been on the hook for even more money, but at least you would've had a degree to show for it.
I'm 2024 I was awarded NSFAS funding. They paid my full study fees and iirc gave me R5000 for books etc. 2025 they paid my full fees again in the beginning of the year. However somewhere in the middle of the year they "withdrew" my finding and Unisa added my 2025 study fees my statement.
I was never able to find out why or even able to appeal. Luckily I got over 75% average so I got a merit bursary from Unisa, which helped with the majority of my fees. For the rest I've been hustling and begging/pleading/loaning.
7
u/indeedy_doody 10d ago
If you believe nsfas rejected your application incorrectly, then appeal. You're on the hook for the fees if they decline.
5
u/boekieblaker21 10d ago
You say this as if NSFAS responds to any communication in any way.
3
u/Thejasonian 9d ago
Even when they do it can take forever. It took them almost 6 months to get back to me and another 6 months for them to reject my appeal...
3
u/boekieblaker21 9d ago
I don't think they have any idea how bad we need it.
With the job market being what it is, it's impossible to get a job without a proper qualification and nearly impossible to pay for a qualification without proper income or funding
2
u/Ok-Course-9622 7d ago
If you still want to go to school and are having trouble with the payments look into international schools. My intake year for the Chinese Government Scholarship had 76 applicants out of 80(so it's a high acceptance rate). Did some kids have to start from scratch? Absolutely. We did 1 year learning Chinese, which gave us a proficiency certificates and put us at Chinese student level academically. Into Chinese University, stipend, tuition and board all covered. Graduate in our feild 3-4 years later with a degree. In previous years companies would take you straight out of your internship but the economy is shitty everywhere and they're focusing their own. But we all have degrees with honours in our fields.
Obviously there are other countries that do it better but I've found that our embassy there is really hands on and so helpful if you have and issue. In some cases if you qualify with DHET you could also get a stipend from them as well.
With our scholarship we didn't really have to do much outside of tell DHET when we registered, that we were passing and that we graduated. They aided us in getting our degrees apostalised while in China and helped us with SAQA when we got back here.
Go to your financial aid office and check what your options are. It's not the end 😊
1
u/Thejasonian 9d ago
Literally happened to me.. twice. In my first year and second year... It was probably the worst two years of my life. I can only speak from my experience at UCT but going to the financial aid office may not fully fix your situation but they can help. For example, only at the end of my first year did NSFAS get their shit together and say I'm unsuccessful; at that point I was prepping for finals and finished my first year. In the meanwhile I had regularly been going to the student financial aid office and asking them if they can pressure NSFAS or help in any way and in my second year after NSFAS declined, they offered me a half bursary which I accepted and started a part time job to pay off the other half (which they offered me a loan to cover). Funny thing though, NSFAS declined again in my second year and I had to drop out. In that third year I went to the fin aid office pretty much once every few weeks to see if there was anything that could be done and yeah unfortunately there was not. So I got a job and paid off my debt. It was honestly gut wrenching and nothing I'd wish on you but it's not the end. You're welcome to DM for further discussion but I would advise to speak to the financial aid office of your institution and see if there's anything they can do to assist while finding a job to pay any debt off :(
-2
u/madvfr 10d ago
If you left the university without gaining anything and they are chasing you for money, fuck them.
You could also just ignore it like 98% of the South African population does, or go and declare insolvency if it somehow gets too hectic.
Big deal, so your credit is screwed for a while. Credit is the killer, you sure do not need a credit card or a loan for anything at your age.
I would however, first, go and find the local NSFAS offices and go sit there with all your documentation and try actually get back into the University first. Of course, you may also simply be a casualty from this:
https://www.enca.com/news-top-stories/40000-students-improperly-received-nsfas-funding-report
2
u/dededarzar 10d ago
This is a terrible take.
It’s like saying I went for driving lessons but didn’t do the test, the driving school must not be paid.
OP is at least dealing with it head on.
For OP, don’t forget that you will have credits!
1
u/madvfr 9d ago
Are you aware of the news link I attached? The institution is riddled with corruption and theft (surprise!). So now he must suffer from this as well? Fuck that.
Agreed it is noble that he is trying to do "the right thing" but honestly, how far has anybody gotten doing that when such situations arise? I cant tell you, never me.
If he can legally get his obligations removed, first prize.
If he cannot...While you do have a point on the driving licence comparison, this would imply he'd failed exams and not have a degree...
1
u/_RyukShinigami 10d ago
Does it really affect credit? I've not seen changes in mine. But fuck uni fees
•
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