More than 93,000 University of South Africa (Unisa) students faced serious disruptions in July 2026 after delays in receiving their National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) Personal Care Allowances, with officials and student leaders warning the situation threatens the academic progress and wellbeing of those affected. NSFAS confirmed that funds were transferred to Unisa on 2 July 2026, but payment processing was held up, a move attributed to a system glitch by NSFAS and labelled a result of wider systemic problems by Unisa.

Conflicting Explanations And Impact On Students

NSFAS stated that the delay stemmed from a technical glitch at Unisa, but the university publicly disputed this, arguing that ongoing challenges in NSFAS systems and administrative changes have been at the root of recurring disruptions. In a statement, NSFAS said, “The unpaid allowances are a result of complexities arising from the move to direct payment partners and the subsequent return of this payment function to NSFAS during the 2024 academic year.” Unisa, however, maintains that broader systemic issues must be addressed to ensure reliable disbursements.

This latest disruption follows a pattern of delays, with thousands of students at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) also experiencing financial strain in February 2026 due to deferred payments. The impact has been tangible: students have struggled to afford food, transport, and essential learning materials, with the National Student Financial Aid Scheme’s role central to enabling continued access to higher education for low-income students nationwide.

Calls For Accountability And Urgent Remedies

Ministerial intervention came after several weeks of hardship, with the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training instructing that all outstanding cases be prioritised. Education activist Hendrick Makaneta, commenting on 18 July 2026, emphasised, “For thousands of students, NSFAS funding determines whether they can remain registered and meet their daily living expenses. Delays of this magnitude are not merely administrative shortcomings. They have real consequences that threaten the ability of students to complete their studies.”

Makaneta added, “We acknowledge the intervention by the Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Training in directing that outstanding cases be resolved with urgency. However, intervention after months of delays does not erase the hardship already experienced by affected students.” The drawn-out nature of payment issues was mirrored in earlier incidents, such as the special payment run for TVET college recipients in May 2025, which had also been dogged by technical challenges.

The higher education sector continues to grapple with disputes over responsibility for late payments, while students bear the brunt. Ongoing engagement between universities, NSFAS, and government will be crucial as pressure mounts for a permanent solution before the next round of allowances is due.