NSFAF denies fault in loan delays
The Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund said delays in loan payments are most often due to incomplete paperwork from either students or the institutions they attend, and not the fault of the institution.
“Nsfaf is committed to the process of payments to students who have signed contracts, and resources are available to effect payment,” Percy Tjahere, the Nsfaf spokesperson told Namibian Sun.
He said when a student is not paid because of a lack of necessary and mandatory paperwork from either the student or the institution they are attending, Nsfaf has concluded “a number of agreements with these institutions to solicit such information as a matter of urgency to process payment.”
A complaint submitted to Namibian Sun recently accused Nsfaf of numerous delays in loan payments.
The anonymous student accused the institution of sometimes taking as long as ten months to pay first-year student loans, and claimed that second- and third-year students “are still waiting for payments six months after the start of the academic year.”
The complainant, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the institution's ability to make timely loan payments and to handle enquiries on such issues “raises serious concerns about the institution's capability to deliver on its set mandate.”
Although proof for the lengthy delays was not submitted by the complainant, Namibian Sun reached out to Nsfaf requesting responses on the accusations.
“The waiting time depends on a number of facts, such as prompt submission of all relevant documents, signing of the terms and conditions etc.,” Tjahere said.
He added that applicants are able to get a preliminary award letter within 48 hours of applying for a loan but this is then followed by “a meticulous verification process which may take longer if all required documents are not submitted.” Tjahere dismissed allegations that it can take between six to ten months for some students to receive their loans.
He said that it is critical to note that Nsfaf can only make payments following the compulsory verification processes and documentation required and “if there are any mishaps it could take longer, but not as long as you indicated.”
Tjahere said in some instances delays are due to students who have wrongly signed a contract or not signed it at all.
Other reasons for delays, excluding incorrect or delayed paperwork submissions, also include the “availability of resources, correct invoices from institutions of higher learning and whether students have obtained the Nsfaf payment card via which non-tuition fees are facilitated.”
He added that Nsfaf receives subsidies from government and “subventions are made in line with approved channels of government and within the tight cash flow management applicable across government.”
The student complaint noted that a delay in tuition, and non-tuition fees for books and other items, can lead to a student being blocked from writing exams “which leaves the students worried and unable to concentrate on their studies.”
The complaint said delayed payments could force students to “seek help from other undesirable means (sic) to cover the pressing tuition needs.”
Tjahere, however, noted that even if an award letter, which means approval for funding, has not been physically handed over to a student or the institution of higher learning, the respective institution will be instantly informed of the final approval in order to avoid Nsfaf applicants from being barred from writing their mid-term examinations.
He said to date this year, 4 195 students have received their award letters from Nsfaf.
He said in cases were verification processes have not been completed, due to a number of possible issues, Nsfaf is committed “to complete the issuance of award letters by end of June 2017.”
Apart from the complaint sent to Namibian Sun, students have also criticised Nsfaf and its various services on the institution's Facebook page.
In one instance, a student in April posted a status accusing the institution of continuing to “break records on how inadequate their services are.”
The online complaint accused Nsfaf call centre of being unreachable at critical times, and accused the institution of not admitting that their services remain below par, including the online application services.
JANA-MARI SMITH
“Nsfaf is committed to the process of payments to students who have signed contracts, and resources are available to effect payment,” Percy Tjahere, the Nsfaf spokesperson told Namibian Sun.
He said when a student is not paid because of a lack of necessary and mandatory paperwork from either the student or the institution they are attending, Nsfaf has concluded “a number of agreements with these institutions to solicit such information as a matter of urgency to process payment.”
A complaint submitted to Namibian Sun recently accused Nsfaf of numerous delays in loan payments.
The anonymous student accused the institution of sometimes taking as long as ten months to pay first-year student loans, and claimed that second- and third-year students “are still waiting for payments six months after the start of the academic year.”
The complainant, who preferred to remain anonymous, said the institution's ability to make timely loan payments and to handle enquiries on such issues “raises serious concerns about the institution's capability to deliver on its set mandate.”
Although proof for the lengthy delays was not submitted by the complainant, Namibian Sun reached out to Nsfaf requesting responses on the accusations.
“The waiting time depends on a number of facts, such as prompt submission of all relevant documents, signing of the terms and conditions etc.,” Tjahere said.
He added that applicants are able to get a preliminary award letter within 48 hours of applying for a loan but this is then followed by “a meticulous verification process which may take longer if all required documents are not submitted.” Tjahere dismissed allegations that it can take between six to ten months for some students to receive their loans.
He said that it is critical to note that Nsfaf can only make payments following the compulsory verification processes and documentation required and “if there are any mishaps it could take longer, but not as long as you indicated.”
Tjahere said in some instances delays are due to students who have wrongly signed a contract or not signed it at all.
Other reasons for delays, excluding incorrect or delayed paperwork submissions, also include the “availability of resources, correct invoices from institutions of higher learning and whether students have obtained the Nsfaf payment card via which non-tuition fees are facilitated.”
He added that Nsfaf receives subsidies from government and “subventions are made in line with approved channels of government and within the tight cash flow management applicable across government.”
The student complaint noted that a delay in tuition, and non-tuition fees for books and other items, can lead to a student being blocked from writing exams “which leaves the students worried and unable to concentrate on their studies.”
The complaint said delayed payments could force students to “seek help from other undesirable means (sic) to cover the pressing tuition needs.”
Tjahere, however, noted that even if an award letter, which means approval for funding, has not been physically handed over to a student or the institution of higher learning, the respective institution will be instantly informed of the final approval in order to avoid Nsfaf applicants from being barred from writing their mid-term examinations.
He said to date this year, 4 195 students have received their award letters from Nsfaf.
He said in cases were verification processes have not been completed, due to a number of possible issues, Nsfaf is committed “to complete the issuance of award letters by end of June 2017.”
Apart from the complaint sent to Namibian Sun, students have also criticised Nsfaf and its various services on the institution's Facebook page.
In one instance, a student in April posted a status accusing the institution of continuing to “break records on how inadequate their services are.”
The online complaint accused Nsfaf call centre of being unreachable at critical times, and accused the institution of not admitting that their services remain below par, including the online application services.
JANA-MARI SMITH
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