Government Allocates Funding for Missing Middle Students in Higher Education. Numerous students face financial barriers to pursuing tertiary education, exacerbating their challenges when they discover they don’t qualify for NSFAS. The Higher Education department has secured funding aimed at assisting these students in 2024.
The Persistent Issue of the Missing Middle
The dilemma of the missing middle continues to affect thousands of individuals aspiring to obtain a tertiary education qualification in South Africa. Students falling within this category, capable of affording education but ineligible for NSFAS, may soon receive crucial funding from the South African government.
Financial Limbo for Missing Middle Students
Students in the missing middle category hail from households able to send them to tertiary education institutions but lack the financial means to qualify for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). This financial conundrum leaves them too affluent for government bursaries yet too economically challenged to cover the high costs associated with higher education, potentially forcing them into indebtedness to pursue their studies.
Substantial Funding Secured
Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande revealed that nearly R4 billion has been secured to address the challenges faced by missing middle students. Speaking before Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Nzimande expressed confidence that the R3.8 billion raised would significantly assist the missing middle, especially those with family incomes not exceeding R600,000 per annum.
“We have raised R3.8 billion, and our figures tell us that this money will go a long way in addressing the missing middle, particularly for families earning less than R600,000 per annum,” stated Minister Nzimande.
Income Thresholds and NSFAS Qualification
Minister Nzimande emphasized the significance of the R600,000 threshold, indicating that individuals with incomes surpassing this limit should be able to cover the costs associated with higher education. To qualify for NSFAS funding, students must not come from households earning more than R350,000 per annum, making R350,001 the median income for the missing middle bracket.
Addressing NSFAS Challenges
Minister Nzimande informed Parliament about plans to ensure a smooth start to the 2024 academic year, addressing longstanding disruptions due to funding-related challenges. The department has identified issues at specific institutions, allowing them to implement targeted plans to prevent challenges encountered in previous years.
“As a department, we have identified all the hotspots associated with certain institutions and problems where issues have not been adequately addressed,” Minister Nzimande explained.
Key Challenges Faced by Students
Challenges faced by students include accommodation accreditation, delayed funding decisions, and the exchange of registration dates between institutions and NSFAS. The department aims to proactively address these issues to better prepare for the upcoming academic year.
