The Enduring Impact of Student Debt: NSFAS and the Struggle for Equity in South African Universities
NSFAS helps many South African students from poor backgrounds go to university by paying for their fees and living costs, giving them hope for a better future. But this support comes with heavy debt that can be hard to repay, causing stress and hardship for graduates and the system alike. Many students struggle daily with poor housing and delayed payments, making their studies even tougher. To keep helping more young people, NSFAS now works hard to collect repayments fairly, encouraging graduates to give back so others can also get a chance. This ongoing struggle shows the deep link between education, fairness, and the shared dreams of a nation.