NWU receives silver for its efficient bursary administration

The North-West University (NW) recently received a silver certificate from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) for the way in which this institution handles the NSFAS bursary administration.

Mr Danie Hefer, Head: Financial Support Services, received the certificate on behalf of the NWU at the annual NSFAS Congress in Cape Town.

“As far as I know, it is the first time that our office received an award at the gala dinner, although our office constantly received an ‘excellent’ rating for the past few years,” Mr Hefer says.

Financial Support Services is institutionally responsible for the NSFAS administration at all three campuses. In 2006, approximately 2 500 students benefited from NSFAS funding. For 2007, the University’s allocation from the NSFAS funds amounts to R52 021 000.

NSFAS is a government organisation, managing funds that are granted by the Treasury to help fund the studies of those students who show potential but whose parents do not have the necessary financial means. It is a bursary loan scheme and, depending on the student's academic record each year, up to 40% of the loan can be written off as a bursary. The balance is payable at 7% interest after the student has graduated. The scheme was formerly known as Tefsa.

At the gala dinner, the University of Johannesburg received a gold and the University of KwaZulu-Natal a bronze certificate.

Mr Danie Hefer recently received a silver certificate on behalf of the NWU from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). With him is Ms Naledi Pandor, Minister of Education, and Mr Sipho M Pityana, chairperson of the NSFAS Council.