NSFAF shortens new applications period

By Alwonia Izaaks
THE Namibia Students Financial As­sistance Fund (NSFAF) this week an­nounced that the closing date for new online applications will be cut short by a fort­night.
This subsequently means that, while the deadline was 28 February 2018 previously, prospective beneficiaries now have up to 16 February to submit their applications.
According to NSFAF, this change is in­formed by their dashboard; a tool designed to track applications launched and completed, which indicates that 11 023 applications have been completed as at 13 February 2018.
Of these, 4 805 are undergraduate grade 12 local applicants, 54 undergraduate grade 12 foreign applicants and 905 undergradu­ate grade 12 prior 2012 applicants. Anoth­er 1 275 applications are for post grade 12, whereas 812 are post graduate while 663 are for mature age applicants and 2 509 for VTC applicants.
“As it was communicated in the print and electronic media in December 2017, NSFAF launched its online application from 12 Janu­ary 2018 with a closing date set for 28 Febru­ary. The initial closing date has been brought forward to 16 February 2018 to allow for ver­ification and adjudication processes to start early,” said NSFAF’s chief human capital and corporate affairs officer, Olavi Hamwele.
“Informed by the 2017 Grade 12 results that indicates about 8,000 learners are eligible for admission at tertiary institutions, we are confident that most of the eligible potential applicants have launched and completed their applications.
“The variance of about 3,000 is surely from other streams like Namibia College of Open Learning (NAMCOL), potential learners that took a break from academic work for various reasons and the working class that pursues post graduate studies. This number is quite significant if compared to historical data.”
Hamwele further added: “It is therefore logical to bring the application closing date forward to allow for early verification and timely adjudication.”
Furthermore, NSFAF informs the bene­ficiaries that they are currently processing more than N$75 million, which was made available as a partial payment towards the non-tuition fees.
Students from VTC will receive N$1 541.10 each, the postgraduates will receive N$8 193.77, whereas students at smaller institu­tions, the Hospitality Training Centre, the Na­mibia University of Science and Technology, the International University of Management and the University of Namibia (UNAM) will receive N$4 280.00 each.
Between 15 and 23 February, payments will be allocated and available on the NAM-MIC student payment cards. Once additional funds are available, the remaining balances will be allocated effective immediately.
NSFAF also made a humble apology to their stakeholders and potential applicants for any inconveniences that have been caused.

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