The Unfolding Crisis: CPUT Students on the Brink of Homelessness

As the 2026 academic year progresses at Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), a pressing crisis has emerged where numerous students reliant on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) are confronting eviction from their private accommodations. NSFAS, the government-funded program designed to provide comprehensive bursaries—including tuition, accommodation, meals, books, and personal care allowances—to eligible low-income and working-class students at South Africa's public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, has hit a snag in disbursing accommodation allowances. This delay stems from a combination of pending appeals, administrative backlogs, and disputes over academic eligibility, leaving students unable to pay rent and facing the grim prospect of sleeping on Cape Town's streets.

The situation underscores a recurring challenge in South African higher education, where access to tertiary studies for disadvantaged youth hinges on timely financial support. Without intervention, these students risk not only homelessness but also derailment of their educational journeys, perpetuating cycles of poverty in a nation where youth unemployment hovers around 45% and higher education completion rates remain low.

Voices from the Frontline: Rethabile Roboro's Desperate Plea

Rethabile Roboro, a CPUT student, has become the face of this ordeal, publicly pleading for urgent NSFAS intervention to avert what she terms a 'life-threatening crisis.' After losing her funding due to academic shortfalls, Roboro submitted an appeal over three weeks ago, only for it to languish in 'submitted' status. 'Many other students and I are being evicted from our accommodation places. We are currently facing the reality of sleeping on the streets of Cape Town,' she shared, emphasizing how the delays violate her rights to safety, dignity, and education.

Roboro's story is emblematic of dozens, if not hundreds, affected at CPUT, where private accommodation is common due to limited on-campus residences. Landlords, burdened by unpaid rents, mounting municipal bills, and student defaults, have issued eviction notices, exacerbating the humanitarian angle. Students like her have followed all protocols—registering leases via the Fundi platform managed by CPUT's Financial Aid Office—yet remain in limbo.

Her call echoes wider sentiments, with peers demanding an immediate moratorium on evictions until payments are processed, highlighting the human cost behind bureaucratic delays.

Decoding NSFAS: How the System Works and Where It Falters

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), established under the NSFAS Act of 1999 and administered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), aims to democratize access to post-school education. For 2026, NSFAS processed nearly 894,000 applications, approving funding for over 1 million students—including 600,000 first-time entrants—with a budget exceeding R55 billion. This covers full-cost bursaries for households earning below R350,000 annually, disbursed directly to institutions for fees and to students/providers for allowances.

At CPUT, which is not integrated into NSFAS's central accommodation platform, the Financial Aid Office facilitates private accommodation via Fundi. Providers register properties, students submit leases (applications opened 16 January to 15 February 2026), and upon approval—contingent on criteria like living beyond 60km radius and academic progression—payments flow monthly on the 1st from February to November. However, allowances are capped; students cover shortfalls, and progression rules mandate 60% pass rates for continuing students (40% for first-time entrants).

• Eligibility: Household income < R350k, South African citizen/resident.
• Progression: 60% modules passed or face defunding/appeals.
• Appeals: For academic failure, require medical propensity letters; extended deadline 31 January 2026.
• Payments: NSFAS pays CPUT, uni distributes to landlords/students.

Faltering points include appeal backlogs, verification delays, and caps causing shortfalls, as seen in March 2 payments not reaching all providers promptly.

Timeline of Delays: From Approval to Eviction Notices

The 2026 cycle began promisingly: NSFAS finalized funding decisions by early January, with upfront payments planned for February 1 covering books and initial allowances. Yet, at CPUT, private accommodation applications closed mid-February, approvals lagged, and appeals piled up. By late February, protests erupted over unconfirmed housing and allowances; February 19 updates promised resolutions, but March brought evictions as March 2 payments bypassed some.

1. Jan 2026: Funding decisions complete; appeals open till 31 Jan.
2. 16 Jan-15 Feb: Private accom applications.
3. Feb 1: Expected monthly allowances start.
4. Mid-Feb: Protests at CPUT/SONA.
5. Feb 19: CPUT/NSFAS resolution pledges.
6. Mar 2: NSFAS batch payment to unis.
7. Mar 4+: Eviction pleas surface.

This mirrors annual patterns, where year-start rushes overwhelm systems.

CPUT's Stance: Prioritizing Academic Progress Amid Compassion

CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kansley emphasized that appeals are complete, targeting students failing the 60% threshold or breaching the N+ rule (completing within nominal study duration plus one). 'CPUT has been compassionate,' providing temporary housing upon arrival, but 'cannot place every single student; priority is those academically progressing.' Last week, CPUT bridged a 50% NSFAS allowance shortfall, demonstrating empathy.

With ~30,000 students, many NSFAS-funded, CPUT manages via Fundi, training providers, and enforcing no-family-residence rules to curb fraud. Yet, critics argue stricter enforcement exacerbates vulnerabilities for at-risk youth from rural areas or townships.

For students navigating such challenges, exploring academic CV tips can aid future job hunts in South Africa's competitive higher ed sector.

NSFAS's Defense: Institutional Responsibility and Massive Disbursements

NSFAS spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi shifts blame: 'CPUT deals with allocation... they know which providers they've paid.' With R6.3 billion disbursed recently to 1.24 million qualifiers, NSFAS highlights systemic successes but notes delays from unverified registrations or caps. No dedicated response to CPUT evictions, reiterating universities distribute funds.

Broader reforms include upfront payments and direct provider disbursements, yet private accom lags persist.

Human Toll: Mental Health, Dropout Risks, and Long-Term Scars

Beyond evictions, delays trigger food insecurity, mental health crises, and dropouts. First-year students from impoverished backgrounds face compounded trauma—sleeping rough in Cape Town's harsh winters mirrors 2025's TVET protests. Stats show NSFAS students 20% more dropout-prone amid funding gaps; evictions amplify this, stalling South Africa's National Development Plan goals for 30% graduate youth by 2030.

Stakeholders note rising anxiety, with counseling services overwhelmed.

Historical Echoes: Annual NSFAS Struggles and Lessons Unlearned

Every February since 2018's #FeesMustFall, SA universities witness NSFAS protests—Wits, UCT, Stellenbosch 2026 saw fee blocks alongside CPUT's sleeping protests. Causes: oversubscription (R10bn+ shortfalls past years), verification delays, corruption probes. Solutions like phased payments and AI verification piloted, but implementation lags.

• 2019: R27bn budget, delays sparked strikes.
• 2025: Mismanagement led to board shakeups.
• 2026: R55bn, yet appeals backlog persists.

Landlords' Dilemma and Multi-Stakeholder Views

Private landlords bear upfront costs, refusing new NSFAS tenants amid caps (e.g., R45,000/year). SAUS demands SONA reforms; DHET urges compliance. Balanced views: NSFAS transformative (80% first-years funded), but needs agile systems.NSFAS 2026 Update

Pathways Forward: Solutions, Moratoriums, and Policy Shifts

Calls intensify for eviction moratoriums, expedited appeals, and NSFAS-CPUT integration. Short-term: CPUT temp housing expansions; long-term: blockchain payments, predictive funding. DHET eyes R17bn debt recovery from unis/TVETs. Students advised: track via my.nsfas.org.za, seek bursaries, part-time higher ed jobs.

Optimism lies in NSFAS's scale; reforms could prevent tragedies.

Photo by Jolame Chirwa on Unsplash

Empowering Students: Actionable Advice Amid Uncertainty

To navigate:

• Check appeal status daily on NSFAS portal.
• Contact CPUT Financial Aid immediately.
• Explore scholarships via AcademicJobs scholarships.
• Build resilience with career advice.

Future outlook: Tech-driven NSFAS 2.0 promises stability, positioning SA higher ed as equitable powerhouse. For jobs post-graduation, visit university jobs or higher ed jobs.