Education activist backs NSFAS operational changes to strengthen data integrity and reduce errors [SOUND]

# Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has welcomed the changes the National Student Financial Aid Scheme is implementing for the 2027 funding cycle. Applications are now open for funding, with prospective students given until 18 November 2026 to apply. The scheme has introduced several operational changes for the 2027 cycle, including directly extracting student information from institutional systems and automated document verification and electronic document signing. Makaneta says the changes must result in a transparent and accessible application process: