National Student Financial Aid Scheme gets a huge financial boost

Lusanda Bill
11 January 2011

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme has been allocated with 150-million rands, which is to focus on addressing scarce skills.

Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande said the department had set aside nearly 23-million rands, that would be dedicated to funding 820 first year students and seven million towards a special bursary scheme targeting rural students.

This announcement comes after President Jacob Zuma stated at the ANC 99th celebration that university and college education would be free.

Minister Nzimande has also given a stern warning that the additional 150-million rands given to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, is not a free ride.

He said students who fail to produce good marks would forfeit their bursaries.