We, the undersigned Funza Lushaka bursary students at the University Of South Africa, urgently call for the immediate release of our 2026 allowances and outstanding refunds.
For the past 3 MONTHS we have received NO money. We have no allowance, no stipend, and no clear date of when we will be paid. UNISA continues to tell us “ we are still waiting for funds from Funza/NSFAS/donor” but they are not promising date anytime soon.
To make matters worse:
1. UNISA/NSFAS confirmed there is money avalanche for REFUNDS, but students have still not received them, it’s been 2 months.
2.We were then told that the donor didn’t send enough money for the refunds and that’s why they can’t process them after they promised us we were gonna get the money.
Many of us depend 100% on this allowance for food, transport, data, and basic survival while studying and doing teaching practice. Going 3 months without support has left students hungry, unable to attend classes online, and severe mental and financial stress.
WE THEREFORE DEMAND:
1. NSFAS to IMMEDIATELY release all outstanding Funza Lushaka Allowance funds to UNISA
2. NSFAS/UNISA to pay all outstanding REFUNDS to students without further delay.
3. An official written communication with clear payment dates sent to all FUNZA students via MyLife
4.WEEKLY updates from UNISA until all payments are complete.
We are future teachers of South Africa. We cannot teach on an empty stomach. We deserve dignity, transparency, and the funding that was already approved.
Signed,
Desperate UNISA Funza Lushaka Students 2026
I haven't received my allowance yet. Am in dire need of data for my assignment, I need laptop to write some of my modules like CIC2601 I requires pc to create some of the activities. My future depends on this allowance.