The South African Union of Students (SAUS) has called on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to resolve payment issues with private residence providers to prevent potential disruptions.

An ongoing standoff between the scheme and accommodation providers affiliated with the Private Student Housing Association over unpaid bills could leave 7 000 students without housing.

The association claims NSFAS owes them R44 million from last year for accommodation.

However, NSFAS insists that the providers have not supplied sufficient proof to substantiate their claims.

Private Student Housing Association | Concerns over delays in NSFAS funding:

SAUS Secretary General, Lukhanyo Dawethu says they will act decisively should the issue persist.

“If NSFAS is failing to respond to this issue, we won’t have a choice but to respond with a language we understand as students. If a number of our students are left out, we won’t have a choice but to rally students, take our matters to the street up until all matters have been resolved.”

NSFAS has received over 900 000 applications for the 2025 academic year with many already provisionally approved.

The pending applications are still under scrutiny.