South African universities face a R5 billion crisis which threatens them and their students

• South Africa's top universities have been forced to raise a combined R781.7 million provision in 2025 for expected losses on student debt, with Unisa facing the biggest burden of R1.40 billion.
• The universities cited the National Student Financial Aid Scheme's (NSFAS) 'N+1' completion rule as a major contributor to the crisis, which causes severe financial distress for students when funding is abruptly revoked mid-academic year.
• The universities are calling for the rule to be revised or abolished, with NWU stating that the national financial aid scheme is 'poorly designed and ineffectively implemented' and 'free higher education through NSFAS is not financially sustainable in its present form'.