MAIN CAMPUS

August 23, 2021

RE: UPDATE ON A MEETING HELD BETWEEN THE STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVE

COUNCIL (SRC) MAIN CAMPUS & THE NAMIBIA STUDENTS FINANCIAL
ASSISTANCE FUND (NSFAF) ON THE 19TH OF AUGUST 2021

1. PAYMENTS OF TUITION & NON-TUITION FEES FOR BOTH CONTINUING &

NEW AWARDEES

a) CONTINUING STUDENTS
• The NSFAF has commenced with payments for continuing students.
However, so far majority of the students who have received their non-tuition
fees are those with 2019 and 2020 Loan Contracts.
• Many fourth year students particularly those with 2018 Loan Contracts could
not receive their non-tuition fees because of the “old system.” The NSFAF
indicated that it was much more easier to sort out 2019 & 2020 students who
are currently part of the “new system" as opposed to 2018 awardees. It is, for
this reason, that majority of fourth years did not receive their first round.
• As per the recent Media Release by the NSFAF (18 August 2021), processing
of payments for 4th year students is “enjoying priority.”
• The NSFAF has money thus disbursement of funds will continue so, we are
not going to entertain excuses.
• The fund indicated that approximately 1000 students will be getting their non-
tuition fees on a daily basis, this basically means that 5000 students per week.
• The fund will continue with payments of N$ 5000.00 for those who did not
receive during the first round. This basically means that students who got their
non-tuition fees will have to wait for others to receive their first round.

• Continuing students with 2020 pending non-tuition fees should send their
details to srcexternal@unam.na (Main Campus).
• Some continuing students did not receive their non-tuition fees due to pending
documents. Students are therefore urged to upload their pending documents
and check their portal regularly.
• Students with (NON-TUITION FEES) paid directly into the university’s account
by the NSFAF, should go to the NSFAF to get a Consent Letter that will
enable them to claim their money from the university.
• In cases where the NSFAF overpaid and the student completed his/her
studies, currently the university does not allow students to claim the money.
There is an agreement between the UNAM and the NSFAF to reconcile
overpaid money. However, the SRC will challenge the status quo.
• Expiring Bank Windhoek Cards: Students should go to the bank and re-new
their cards.
• Payments of both tuition and non-tuition fees are delayed by things like
pending marks, academic records not updated by faculty officers etc. Hence
students are strongly encouraged to ensure that their things are updated.
• Students whose invoices were sent yet their things are not updated, will not
be paid. Therefore students must check their portals(UNAM) regularly to
ensure that their things are updated.
• Again, the SRC will engage the Office the Senior Bursar for them to invoice
the NSFAF in order to avoid payment delays.

b) NEW AWARDEES
• The NSFAF has sent details of students who signed and uploaded their
Signed Contracts to Bank Windhoek.
• These students will be notified to go open their bank accounts soon.
Once this whole process is done, new awardees will start getting their
non-tuition fees as well.
• Students are therefore encouraged to sign and upload their Contracts
as soon as possible.
• The fund is still busy verifying and validating pending applications.
 • It seems like the university is struggling to upload our client's Proof of
Registration, hence students are encouraged to upload their proof of
registration if their proof of registration are not yet uploaded.
• The SRC has called for a relaxation of the UNAM official stamp because
it is expensive and some students are not even in Windhoek. Also, it
takes time for the Students Record to reply to our client's emails. The
SRC is waiting for an official confirmation from the NSFAF. Upon
receiving the official confirmation, students will be informed right away.
Not later than Friday.
• NB: New awardees must check their portals regularly.
• The earlier the better, hence, students should upload their documents
on time to avoid delays in terms of verifying, validating and
disbursement of funds.

2. LATE APPLICATIONS
• Late applications were considered, provided that students have created
profiles before the closing date.
• Students who did not get the chance to apply are strongly encouraged to apply
earlier this year. Applications for 2022 academic year will commence this year.
• However students with special cases such as orphans and students from
previously disadvantaged communities whether you have applied or not,
they should approach the NSFAF. Also, this students can contact the
Secretary for External Affairs at: srcexternal@unam.na

3. APPEALS FOR STUDENTS WHO WERE RECENTLY REJECTED BY THE NSFAF

& THE MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION
• As communicated on Friday, by the NSFAF, students can now appeal.
• Students must send their appeals to the following email address:
(appeal@nsfaf.na)
• The fund will use the following criteria to consider those who were rejected;
✓ Change in family income
✓ Current sponsor has withdrawn
✓ Threshold income own income N$ 300 000 or combined parental
income exceeding N$500 000 per annum. Students are encouraged to
provide proof.
However, we are also encouraging students to utilize the following criteria as per the
Policy
• The student will have the right to appeal under the following conditions only, as
stipulated by 3.1.6.6 of the policy as approved in June 2019.
(a) An unforeseen change in the family financial circumstances after the
closing date for applications, which lead to the late submission of an
application or to a substantive reduction in the family household
income.
(b) Academic ineligibility where the post-performance of the student has
been good, where there are medical grounds for poor performance, or
in the event that life changing event having impacted on the students
wellbeing and /or,
(c) Where the student's current sponsor has withdrawn their funding.
• NB: Except students with Special cases (orphans and students from
previously disadvantaged communities). These students must just send
their details to srcexternal@unam.na or approach the NSFAF right away.
No need for them to appeal.
• Although the NSFAF is tasked to provide fund for All Eligible Students as per
the Act of Parliament, Act 26 of 2000 the fund stressed that due lack of funds
from the Government, some eligible students were rejected. However, we are
still encouraging our students to appeal.
• Students rejected because their courses do not fall under “Priority Fields" as
the NSFAF would call it, are not going to be considered. “This is a policy
issue.” This thing of “priority fields” is discriminating other Eligible Students.
We say NO to FINANCIAL EXCLUSION, therefore, the SRC will study the
NSFAF Debt Recovery and Funding Policy of 2019 and submit
recommendations on what needs to be changed in the Policy.
• Students whose applications were rejected because apparently the NSFAF
does not fund NQF Level 5 qualifications, are still encouraged to appeal
because we haven't seen such a section in the abovementioned policy.
• Appeals Must be sent before the 31st August 2021.
• The official notice by the NSFAF regarding Appeals is available on our
Facebook official page (UNAM MAIN CAMPUS SRC).
For enquiries do not hesitate to contact:
Gerson Ingashipola Shikukumwa (Mr.)
Secretary for External Affairs
Main Campus
E-mail: srcexternal@unam.na
Tel: 061 206 3276
Cell: 081 389 8292