NASA urges NSFAF to match tuition payments to course costs

Lylie Joel

RUNDU — The National African Students Association (NASA) has called on the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) to align tuition payments with the cost of each course, warning that funding shortfalls could disrupt students’ studies.

In a statement issued on Thursday, NASA national secretary for academics, sports, arts, and culture Abel Miguel said financial support must reflect costs charged by recognised institutions.

The association said discrepancies between tuition bills and NSFAF allocations could leave students facing outstanding balances, registration difficulties, or restrictions.

“Education is a fundamental investment in the future of our nation,” the statement said, urging NSFAF to ensure assistance is “adequate, fair, transparent and responsive” to the costs of students’ chosen programmes.

NASA said a funding approach may fail to account for differences between programmes. Courses requiring laboratories, specialised equipment, practical training, technical resources, and learning facilities may cost more, it said. If allocations do not cover approved fees, students may be forced to interrupt their studies, take on debt, or risk exclusion, the association warned.

“No student should be forced to abandon their studies, accumulate unaffordable debt, or face unnecessary academic exclusion,” the statement said.

The association called on NSFAF to charge fees according to each programme’s approved cost and to set out funding rules. It also urged the fund and institutions to review differences between fee charges and allocations, establish fee structures, and improve communication to prevent delays.

NASA called for transparency and accountability in how tuition funding is calculated, allocated and disbursed. It said students should be protected from disruption linked to funding gaps, including registration problems, unpaid balances, and restrictions.

The association acknowledged that NSFAF must manage funds responsibly and operate within its legal mandate and approved budget. It said these obligations should be matched with planning, prompt communication, and support for eligible students under funding arrangements.

“Our position is clear: student funding must be guided by fairness, transparency, and the actual financial requirements the statement said.

NASA appealed to authorities to keep funding sustainable while responding to students’ educational needs across Namibia. It said it was ready to engage with NSFAF, institutions, the Ministry of Education, and stakeholders to find a solution.

Miguel urged NSFAF to give the issue urgent attention, saying a fair and sustainable approach should place students’ academic success at the centre of decisions.

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