Page 17 - Thetha Issue 7

GIVING CAMPAIGN

of students enrolled in 2023
were unable to graduate
due to lack of funds

Donate to

Change Lives

Sponsorship for studies could break the cycle
of inter-generational poverty

espite Nelson Mandela University’s belief that
no academically deserving student should be
denied access to education due to their financial
Dsituation, there are still those who cannot take up
the chance to study further.
There are many unfunded students and those in need of
additional financial support, including:

• “Missing middle” students
• Students with historical debt and
• Postgraduate students.

Broadening “access for success” for these groups is an
important step in the transformation of the University.
It also will contribute to breaking the cycle of inter-
generational poverty, and to promoting greater social
justice in South Africa.
However, the national drive to widen access to higher
education by the government has increased the demand
for funding for students who cannot be supported by
statutory bodies, such as the National Students Financial
Aid Scheme (NSFAS).
While it plays a huge role in funding students across the
country, NSFAS does not provide funding to postgraduate
students, who are more intensively involved in research.
There is therefore a great need for financial support for
postgraduate students, particularly for financially needy
final-year students whose dream is to go on to an honours
or further degree.
Certain career fields also require advanced and
further qualifications, which has an impact on NSFAS-
funded students.
It also does not cover the so-called “missing middle”
students, where their household income is too high to qualify
for NSFAS funding but not high enough to comfortably
afford tertiary education.
In addition, some students carry over historical debt
from previous years, which prevents them from graduating
or receiving their certificates on completion of their studies.
This becomes a challenge as they cannot gain employment
without their certificates.
A donation to Nelson Mandela University’s bursary and
scholarship programme is not only building a better future
for these students, it also is building the future of the nation.

2023 |www. mandela.ac.za | 15