NSFAS is planning to stop institutions from charging students above the funding cap, tackling an issue that has left many bursary students burdened with unnecessary debt.
Acting CEO Waseem Carrim told Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education on Wednesday that the organisation plans to take over landlord payments directly and launch a national audit of all student accommodation.
“Students should not graduate carrying debt that prevents them from entering the labour market,” Carrim said.
He explained that NSFAS had released a draft protocol for student accommodation earlier this year, but following extensive public feedback and requests from institutions, implementation has been deferred to the second half of 2026.
The aim is to avoid students being left without accommodation or forced to sleep in libraries.
“This is to avoid students being left without a place to stay,” Carrim said.
NSFAS will also audit and accredit all accommodation facilities, deploy dedicated staff to help students secure and manage leases, and use a centralised system for onboarding, payments, and feedback.
“The focus is fairness, proper planning, and ensuring students start their careers free from unnecessary debt,” Carrim said.
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