Nzimande: NSFAS budget cuts could affect potential beneficiaries
The Department of Higher Education and Training says the latest round of budget cuts is likely to reduce the number of NSFAS students it will be able to fund next year.
Minister Blade Nzimande briefed the National Assembly on the state of readiness for the 2024 academic year on Friday.
NSFAS recently announced that the National Treasury will cut its funding by R12 billion.
Nzimande said there are 210 000 spaces available for the enrolment of first-time students at higher education institutions around the country.
He says despite the challenges, they are ready for the 2024 academic year.
"For all universities, as a department we are currently monitoring the universities enrolment plans however, we are awaiting National Treasury on budget cuts which are likely to have further impacts on enrolments and we hope not on NSFAS, but also we can't rule that out.
"Working together with all stakeholders in the sector, nothing is going to stop us in achieving the things that we want to achieve."
