Didn’t quite make the grade?

The Central Application Clearing House is ready to assist prospective students with their placement as from 4 January 2019.

The Central Application Clearing House (CACH) system, which will open on the 4^th of January 2019, is a government online application service. It was designed and introduced by the Department of Higher Education and Training to assist individuals who want to access university, college and skills development opportunities.

CACH is particularly useful for applicants/individuals who have applied for admission to a university or college in time in 2018, but who have not been offered a place in their programme of choice. It is also useful for prospective students who had applied and met the entry requirements based on their Grade 11 results, but find that they now do not meet the entry requirements when their Grade 12 results are released. CACH also provides access to skills development opportunities, including artisan programmes and learnerships. Institutions with skills development or study opportunities will then select potential students from the CACH database and make direct contact with those selected.

The CACH service follows the following different phases:

Phase 1: Individuals looking for space in the PSET system can contact the call centre on 0860 356 635 or SMS with their name and ID Number to 49200 and be called back free of charge. Individuals can also register or sign up online via the website: http://cach.dhet.gov.za .

Phase 2: The agents will call a prospective student back free of charge, from the contact centre and verify if the person called by asking three security questions. Thereafter the agents will register all requested details on the CACH database, indicating the learners' chosen field of study and the province in which they wish to study.

Phase 3: The applicant’s personal details and matric results will be confirmed and automatically transferred to institutions of higher learning for possible admission and placement, on confirmation by the applicant. The CACH service verifies the learner’s information before forwarding to institutions that still have available places.

Phase 4: Where places exist and applicants meet the requirements, institutions will contact applicants directly to offer them available places.

The CACH 2019 service will be available from the 4^th of January 2019 to the 28^th of  February 2019;  Monday to Friday from 8H00 to 18H00 and Saturday 8H00 to 16H30. Though the CACH service does not guarantee placement at an institution, it has, since its inception in 2013, proven to significantly increase prospective students’ chances, by making data readily available to all possible institutions in the Post School Education and Training (PSET) system.

Find out more about CACH on our Facebook page which is CACH_SA.

Minister Naledi Pandor’s statement on 2019 NSFAS Applications

Tuesday, 4 December 2018  

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) applications for the 2019 academic year officially closed on the 30 November 2018. The applications system was open for an extended period until Sunday 2 December 2018. I am pleased that the 2019 application process has performed well in terms of systems, applications received, as well as user experience.

As all are aware, the start of the 2018 academic year was difficult, with NSFAS facing numerous challenges. These included finalising funding decisions, addressing the 2017 academic year backlog, the non-payment and delays in the payment of allowances, and a weakness in data integration between NSFAS and institutions. The tardiness in resolving these challenges resulted in the scheme being placed under administration for 12 months, starting in August 2018.

That decision led to the appointment of Dr Randall Carolissen as the Administrator. I mandated Dr Carolissen to initially focus on two areas firstly, the effective close-out of the 2017 and 2018 funding cycles. This was to ensure that all students who had qualified for the bursary scheme were confirmed for funding and had received their allowances. Secondly, to develop effective plans for the 2019 funding cycle, in collaboration with universities, TVET colleges and my Department. This is to make sure that student funding for the 2019 academic year works smoothly. I am pleased to report that NSFAS has made good progress in both these areas. Dr Carolissen has appointed a strong team to assist him. The turnaround strategy to resolve outstanding disbursements for the current year, resulted in more than R3.6 billion being disbursed to institutions and a further R10 billion has been unlocked at universities and Colleges since the appointment of the Administrator. The team is focused on resolving all remaining problems.

As we prepare for next year, the 2019 application cycle has proceeded relatively smoothly. More than 400 000 applications were received between the opening of applications on the 3^rd of September and the closing of applications on the 3^rd of December. On average, NSFAS received more than 3 200 applications a day over the period from September to December, with the number reaching as high as 30 000 a day over the last two weeks. Most of the applicants were females (63%). Males made up 37% of applicants. However, it is a concern that only 12% of the applications are from learners who wish to enrol at TVET colleges. The balance of 88% being applications for universities. A total of 34 413 applications has been received from SASSA recipients. You will recall that SASSA recipients automatically qualify in terms of the financial qualification criteria. They will be funded, if admitted, and register at a TVET college or university. 

Of all the applications, the highest number, 91 523, were received from the KwaZulu-Natal Province. This number represents 45% of the total number of learners that wrote their National Senior Certificate in the province. The lowest number was from the Northern Cape with 2573 applications, 18.04% of the total number of learners that wrote in the province.

The success of this current application process can be attributed to a number of factors. These include the revised and easy-to-complete online application system, which allowed applicants to complete an application within five minutes; the simplicity of the online and manual form, with fewer fields to fill; and lastly accessibility, which has been created through NSFAS’ long-standing partnership with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), allowing students to apply at NYDA centres across the country. The partnership with NYDA provided a broad footprint in townships, rural and remote areas. Applicants have been able to walk into any NYDA office and be assisted by appointed NSFAS agents to submit their applications. NSFAS is most appreciative of this collaboration and for the support that NYDA has provided.

NSFAS embarked on outreach activities to encourage learners and out of school youth from across the country to apply. These included visits to community centres, shopping malls, high schools, clinics, churches, door-to-door campaigns and taxi ranks. The latter enabled NSFAS to engage with parents and working youth who commute daily in the early hours, to drive the application message home to their children and siblings. These initiatives were supported by a strong social media campaign run in partnership with other stakeholder platforms such as radio, print, online as well as TVETs and Universities. Through this campaign, NSFAS accessed as many people across as wide an area as possible, to ensure that everyone who may have wanted to apply for NSFAS was able to do so.

NSFAS has informed me that feedback from applicants has been positive. Especially the fact that applications can be made online with a cell-phone, with progress tracking possible on the cell-phones as well.  Nevertheless, manual applications are still accepted and have been made in significant numbers in instances were access to technology remains a challenge.

You will also recall that in October, the scheme launched a new Service Centre, upgraded with the latest technology. This was to assist in speeding up the application process and the response efficiency to general student enquiries. To date the Service Centre has assisted more than 5 115 applicants in Cape Town. NSFAS also placed Regional Managers in each province during the application season. This was to mobilise awareness about the applications process, and conduct promotion activities in townships, rural and remote areas. This initiative has assisted the organisation in closing out the 2017/18 backlog, as well as the processing of new applications.

Currently, the scheme is in the process of evaluating all applications received. This evaluation checks whether applicants are eligible for funding. The evaluation also verifies all the data received from students with third parties, i.e. SARS, Home Affairs, etc. During the evaluation, NSFAS is able to identify eligible students who have submitted applications but who have failed to upload some required documents. These students are contacted and requested to submit the outstanding documents so that the applications can be processed.

To qualify for funding, a student must meet the financial eligibility criteria and register at an institution for an approved programme. Successful students will receive bursary funding to cover their tuition fee for their registered programme and an allowance for learning materials. They may also qualify for subsidised accommodation and/or a transport allowances where applicable.

NSFAS will communicate with students who meet the financial eligibility criteria and have received an academic offer. Communication will take place via SMS or email at the beginning of January, once the academic results have been made available to NSFAS. Funding is only confirmed once a student has met the financial eligibility criteria and is formally registered at a public TVET college or university for an approved funded programme. During this process, NSFAS will work closely with institutions to ensure that the integration of data is quick and seamless. This will allow for the timeous release of funds to students, and avoid any repetition of the delays of 2018. In 2018, some qualifying students were left frustrated, homeless, hungry and without confirmation of their funding.

NSFAS continues to play a critical role in the country. It is a key institution for Government in redressing past discrimination and ensuring inclusivity and equal access to higher education for students. Students from poor and working-class backgrounds are the targeted recipients, in line with the National Development Plan. 

This year alone, NSFAS disbursed loans and bursaries to the tune of R22 billion for 659 000 (371 368 universities and 288 341 TVET colleges) students. This amount is expected to increase next year to approximately R32 billion. This has been estimated to fund approximately 400 920 TVET colleges students and 377 050 University students.

The scheme has to date funded more than 3 million students since its inception, with more than R60 billion invested.

We thank South Africans and government for the continued effort and commitment in ensuring that there are adequate financial resources to meet the ever-increasing needs. We continue to work together to ensure a bright future for our youth.

Thank you.

The Department of Higher Education and Training warns Students of fake Colleges operating in Pretoria and Cape Town

24 October 2018

The Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) warns prospective students to be aware of a scam by a Pretoria and Cape Town based private provider of skills. The provider charges unsuspecting students exorbitant amounts of money for illegal and unaccredited higher education programmes.

Investigations carried out by the DHET have established that a virtual, on-line and distance education private skills provider, by the name of New Skills Academy, is purporting to offer a range of Diplomas and qualifications. These include a Dog Grooming Diploma. The diplomas and qualifications are offered without accreditation and registration with the relevant authorities. There are no contact details provided on the website at https://newskillsacademy.co.za as at 16 August 2018. The website does not provide proof of ownership by either a natural or juristic person. This private provider of education is completely virtual. On 23 October 2018, the DHET discovered the following website address: https://newskillsacademy.co.uk/ which operates in the exact same manner.

In a similar investigation, it was established that Skills Academy, with the website address at https://www.skillsacademy.co.za is purporting to offer the following Advanced Certificate programmes without registration with the DHET: Advanced Certificate in Project Management; Supply Chain Management; Medical Office Receptionist Advanced Certificate; Advanced Certificate in Child Day Care; Advanced Certificate in Child Psychology and Facial Skincare Advanced Certificate, among others.

The DHET has already filed a case with the South African Police Services against Skills Academy. The case number is CAS189/8/2018. Affected persons may contact Constable DN Chosane at the Brooklyn (Pretoria) Police Station at 012 366 1700.

The DHET wishes to reiterate that students should first verify information with the DHET website to ascertain the legality of any programme offered by the institution of their choice. This should be done before enrolling in order to avoid falling prey to illegal operations.

The website address is www.dhet.gov.za/Resources/Registers and the DHET toll-free number is 0800 87 22 22.   

Important statement on NSFAS to the National Assembly by Minister Naledi Pandor

11 September 2018

There has been growing public concern at the inability of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to efficiently administer the processing of applications and the disbursement of funds. These concerns did not begin this year. They have existed for several years. The public, higher education institutions and students are right to be concerned. Given the important role NSFAS plays in ensuring the transformation of the human resource profile of South Africa. Since its inception, NSFAS has ensured that funds are made available to thousands of young people from poor and working class backgrounds. It supports their access to and success in higher education. Efficient administration and the disbursement of funds, are essential for ensuring that young people benefit from this critical support for the skills development of SA’s youth.

Honourable members are aware that we have had serious concerns about NSFAS for several years. In 2013 NSFAS introduced a new "student centred model" for applications and disbursement. This created a direct link between students and the NSFAS and bypassed institutions. The model was piloted for two years in five universities and 14 colleges. It was later expanded to all institutions in 2017. At the beginning of 2017, the scheme experienced a breakdown of its computer systems and processes. Various processes of the scheme had to be undertaken manually. The absence of data and systems integration worsened the problems. Due to these difficulties, many 2017 processes were incomplete by the end of 2017. Many applications were not finalised, and funds were not disbursed. 2018 began with this backlog. NSFAS was confronted with inadequate systems processes. Additionally, staff had to administer the new full-bursary programme that introduced free higher education for poor and working class first year students.

The DHET began to work closely with NSFAS from early January. This was in an effort to address the changes and deal with the backlog of 2017. The board also provided extensive hands-on support to NSFAS. In February, I was alerted to the backlogs. The fact was that many institutions were owed funds while thousands of applications had still not been processed. It became clear that the problems were very severe. I have always received full support from the Board, and Mr Nxasana. Following various Board attempts to intervene and assist, and even with support from DHET, the board and ministry agreed that extraordinary measures were warranted. I appointed a support team of DHET and institutional staff for a six week period. This was to support the processing of applications and to ensure disbursement. This team made some progress in resolving some of the backlog. However, it became clear that much more was needed.  

Following the board chair informing me of his immediate resignation in August, I decided to seriously consider the appointment of an administrator. An emergency board meeting affirmed my intention. Indications were that the board had intended to propose the appointment of an administrator. I was also requested to do so by unions represented in NSFAS and by student organisations at TVET colleges and universities. 

In late August Dr Randall Carolissen was appointed as administrator for a period of twelve months. I have directed that he should urgently ensure eligible students receive funding for 2017 and this year. That he should develop a viable plan for processing applications for 2019 and ensure stability and efficiency at NSFAS. We have secured staff secondments from universities and TVET colleges to support the administrator. The administrator will add capacity to this support team as the work progresses.

There has been positive progress in the first two weeks since the appointment of the administrator. Links have been re-established with all institutions and institution heads and student leaders have played a critical role in communicating with students. Over fifty NSFAS staff have been deployed to be on site at institutions to ensure the resolution of outstanding issues. In the process, an additional 50 000 students have been identified as falling within the criteria for NSFAS support.  

In the first eight days of the administration, R2.2 billion had been disbursed. 43 925 students have signed outstanding SOPs and been confirmed for payment. In terms of outstanding SOPs the largest number of unsigned contracts is that of TVET college students. Over 30 000 TVET college students who are confirmed beneficiaries have not signed or received their funds. We appeal to them to come forward. UNISA students have also been paid the outstanding book allowances. I am pleased to indicate that in this year of introducing free higher education, over R17 billion has been disbursed to universities and TVET colleges.

I wish to assure honourable members that the matter of the chief executive is a NSFAS matter that must be addressed by the administrator and not the minister or DHET. The immediate work of NSFAS is the close out of 2017 and 2018 and the successful opening of the 2019 applications. NSFAS will thereafter focus on systems and processes that will create an effective model for the future. We have opened 2019 applications, and have announced 30 November 2018 as the closing date. We have also requested universities and colleges to encourage students to apply and to support NSFAS in the turnaround.

Once the immediate challenges have been fully addressed, the administrator will focus on identifying the root causes of problems at NSFAS. Solutions and a roadmap will be developed to address them. We anticipate a significant business redesign which should be put in place after the 2019 registration period. The steps taken by the administrator thus far have signalled that it will be possible to achieve significant improvement in the administration period.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Online Applications for 2019, which opened on the 3^rd of September, went smoothly and without any technical glitches. By 10h00, more than 400 new applications had been successfully submitted. More than 8 000 users had already visited the NSFAS website to learn more about the application process.

New students and returning students, without NSFAS registration, should apply online at www.nsfas.org.za immediately and not procrastinate. The new application process takes only five minutes to complete. It requires only a copy of the Identification Document (ID) for the applicant and parents; a payslip of each parent earning an income, and; a consent form to give NSFAS permission to verify income. Applicants whose parents are unemployed, are only required to submit a signed consent form. Continuing students who are funded by NSFAS this year, will be contacted by NSFAS to sign their agreements online, if they have not done so already. They are not required to re-apply as their funding will automatically continue in 2019, if they meet the progression rule of attaining a 50% pass. From 17 September 2018, applicants can also submit their paper applications at the nearest NYDA Office, anywhere in the country. Here they will be assisted by an NSFAS official to capture the application. Public Universities and TVET Colleges will also be capacitated to assist with both online and paper application forms at the institution's Financial Aid Office.

NSFAS Administrator, Dr Randall Carolissen, says that the newly improved system allows each applicant to be considered with great care. Enormous attention is given to evaluating every application. Therefore, the first applicant will also be the first to know whether they are funded or not. “Each application will be treated equally by the NSFAS funding committee. Complete and submit your application material as soon as possible. This will ensure full and timely consideration of your application. There are tips and guidelines online and a YouTube channel for step-by-step information. You can also track and trace the progress of your application online by a simply login with your cell-phone and ID number. “The on-time opening of the 2019 applications had been prioritised. However, we first provided assurances to the Minister regarding our progress on the 2017 and 2018 backlogs before opening the window. In that regard, we have successfully paid more than R1.2 billion to institutions and students in less than a week. We have also sent remittances to every institution to ensure that money is allocated to students accordingly and without delays. I am happy that this positive progress has been welcomed by vice-chancellors, college principals and SRC’s,” Dr Carolissen said. More NSFAS officials will be deployed to institutions in the immediate future to support the application process and to continue assisting applicants. For their part, each applicant should have a working contact number that NSFAS will use to communicate throughout the process of evaluation and for communicating the funding decision. Should this number change, it must be updated online immediately or via our TOLL-FREE number 08000 67327.

A consent form is compulsory for every applicant. Without this, NSFAS may not verify any income as declared by an applicant. This may prevent the conclusion of the funding decision. No one is restricted from applying. However, funding will only be disbursed to those who have confirmed offers and/or secured admission to study in 2019.