Policy Campaigns & Resolutions

SAUS resolves to campaign for the complete redesign of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to ensure sustainability, reliability, and the establishment of a strengthened communication system between the scheme and beneficiary students.

SAUS further resolves to develop an alternative, sustainable funding model that centres student dignity and guarantees that no qualifying student is denied support mid-academic year. This includes addressing the chronic failures in disbursement timelines and the lack of transparent student communication protocols.

SAUS resolves to actively campaign for the government to clear all historical student debt, commencing with deceased students and unemployed graduates who have demonstrated inability to service outstanding balances.

SAUS further resolves to initiate a lobbying campaign against proposed amendments to the National Credit Act that would list student debt with credit bureaus — a punitive measure that would close future financial opportunities for an entire generation of graduates.

SAUS resolves to develop a sustainable, dedicated funding scheme for "missing middle" students, postgraduate students, and N+ students who have exceeded the standard funded period. This scheme must be developed in consultation with the Department of Higher Education and Training and relevant Treasury officials.

SAUS mandates the NEC to investigate whether all institutions have fit-for-purpose Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) policies, and to propose minimum standards for the appointment and conduct of private and institutional security personnel in relation to the handling of GBVF cases and student protests.

SAUS resolves to campaign actively for the abolition of application fees at all public higher education institutions in South Africa. Application fees constitute an unjust barrier that prevents the most economically vulnerable students from accessing the right to apply for a university place.

The 9th Congress resolves that SAUS must develop a comprehensive working paper on the role of Artificial Intelligence in strengthening and broadening academic and administrative support for students across the higher education sector. The paper must address equity implications for students from under-resourced backgrounds.