Students turn to crowdfunding as NSFAS funding falls short

R35 Roti and curry bunnies sales are what 19-year-old Amber Mentoor from Macassar will remember one day because it paid for her registration at the University of Cape Town as she faced an outstanding debt of R50,000.

Mentoor is part of an overwhelming increase in students facing a crisis while awaiting funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) — many forced to take out loans or sell fast food and create a crowdfunding page via Backabuddy to pay outstanding debt.

This week, NSFAS announced its comprehensive preparations for the 2026 academic year, with a focus on disbursements and registration period support for all universities and TVET colleges.

NSFAS received a record 893,847 applications; of these, 593,981 applications (66.45%) were submitted by female applicants, reflecting the ongoing trend of strong female participation in tertiary education. Male applicants accounted for 299,866 applications (33.55%), said Dr Mugwena Maluleke, NSFAS Acting Board Chairperson.

“NSFAS is pleased to confirm that we have processed all 2026 funding applications prior to the start of the academic year, as committed to by December 31,” he added.

The countless fast food sales at the hands of her 63-year-old grandmother, Jemima Cyster, are what Mentoor will remember when she completes her studies in Quantitative Literacy and Organisational Psychology.

Mentoor is one of many students who have reached out via Backabuddy. “I'm Amber Mentoor, a first-year student at the University of Cape Town, pursuing a degree in Politics, Sociology, Quantitative Literacy, and Organisational Psychology. I'm reaching out for help to cover my outstanding university fees of R50 000,” she wrote.

“Growing up, my grandmother has been my rock, providing love, support, and guidance. As a pensioner, she has done everything she can to support me, but the financial burden of university fees has become overwhelming.

“I'm determined to make the most of this opportunity and work hard to achieve my goals. My dream is to major in Organisational Psychology in 2026 and make a positive impact in my community. Your contribution will bring me one step closer to achieving my dreams.”

Cyster told Cape Argus she had begun selling fast food since last year to realise her granddaughter’s dream while the young woman works at a local retailer to make ends meet. She said Mentoor received a portion of the proceeds from NSFAS towards her studies and accommodation, but they still battled to make ends meet.

“I have the 9th, 16th, and 23rd  of January to raise the funds, because her registration begins after that,” she said. “I am keen to sell 100 rotis for R35 each on Friday (today).”

“She did not stay in residency as it was full; she had to stay at private accommodation. Her balance owing was over R40 000, and that is why we made an appeal for R50 000 via Backabuddy.

“I gave another R1 000 of my SASSA to purchase the ingredients for the rotis, so I can sell braai plates next week just to pay that R20 000 before January 26 when it's her registration.

“I began this initiative in November with three functions where I sold curry bunnies and braai plates and rotis. I also sold heavy-duty foil and lunch wrap. She is my granddaughter, but she is my child. I raised her since she was three months old. Amber’s father, my son, died when she was a baby.

“Amber is a hardworking child, and in matric, she had three distinctions. I am working hard now to raise R20 000; I am trusting God in my situation. She is casualing at Sportsman’s Warehouse; she needs to make a living for herself.”

Another student is Chelsea Boyd, who is currently studying Foundation Phase education at Stellenbosch University. She said she battled financially to stay abreast of her fees but never gave up.

“I come from a single-parent household. My father passed away in 2019, and since then, my mother has been raising my brother and me on her own. Financially, life has been incredibly difficult. My mum earns very little, but she has always done everything she can to support us,” she added via the Backabuddy account.

“January 2025, a crisis, in January 2025, Stellenbosch University informed me that I could not continue my studies due to outstanding fees.

“NSFAS paid me R5 000, which I was instructed to pay back immediately and I did. Funza paid my book allowance. I received emails saying allowances and outstanding funds would be paid soon.”

Christian Stewart, People’s Movement for Change REC Deputy Secretary, who spoke on behalf of both students, said he is making an appeal to NSFAS: “We are demanding funding for those who truly need it,” he said.

NSFAS did not reply to queries by the Cape Argus.

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Cape Argus