Research of academics progress on student funded by NSFAS
A new study challenges common beliefs about what helps students succeed at university. It found that there is no connection between bursary funding (financial aid based on need) and student success.
The research, titled “Student Funding and Student Success: A Case Study of a South African University,” published in the South African Journal of Higher Education, suggests that while high school results are not a good predictor of success, students living in university residences are more likely to graduate on time than those who do not.
The study looked at South Africa’s current undergraduate student funding model and questioned whether making tuition free for poor students really improves graduation rates. The government lowered the income limit for fee-free higher education in December, after student protests.
The researchers analyzed over 8,000 students who started their degrees in 2011 and tracked their progress for three years (the minimum time to finish a degree). They found no link between receiving a bursary and graduation rates. However, they did find that students who received bursaries based on academic achievement had better academic success.
The study also found that students living in university residences performed better academically and were more likely to graduate on time compared to those who did not live in residences.
Universities are under pressure to help students pay for their education, as many drop out due to financial struggles. The study argues that funding models need to be re-evaluated because not all challenges faced by students are financial. Other issues, like poor basic education, lack of motivation, and poor course choices, also contribute to student failure.
The researchers pointed out that some students receive large bursaries unrelated to their academic performance, while others perform well but don’t get enough funding.
The study also criticized the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), noting that the amount of funding given to students is often linked to poorer academic results. It suggested that the NSFAS might be putting students into debt without helping them complete their degrees.
The study recommends that funding models should consider factors beyond just financial need to allocate funds more effectively and help improve academic performance.