WHO WE ARE

The FAPSA, an umbrella body of all the financial aid practitioners representing both Higher and Further Education and Training Colleges in South Africa.

WHAT WE DO

Financial Aid Practitioners of South Africa (FAPSA) aims to develop an environment where in both Student Financial Aid Practitioners from all Public Higher and Further Education and Training Institutions, National and Provincial departments, NGO’s and Fund Administrators from both Government and Private organizations can network and share their challenges, ideas and new developments in student financial aid administration and management to ensure effective and efficient service delivery to both the students as beneficiaries of the financial aid and the institutions as custodians of the financial aid.</p> <p>This is facilitated through regular dialogue and conferences.

OUR GOAL

To promote the best practice for student financial aid administrators in this field of service

Our Objectives

  • Promote professionalism of practitioners
  • National forum to discuss student funding
  • Promote development and leadership
  • Serve the interest of donors and students
  • Promote programs of student financial aid
  • Facilitate communication between donor and student
  • Promote research, conferences and workshops.

Conference 2023

The 2023 event was held on Wednesday 4 – Friday 6 October 2023 at The Gold Reef City Theme Park Hotel, Gauteng.

Over the past few years, we have always aligned our conference theme in line with the current challenges or circumstances that we faced within our sector. In 2016 our theme was, “#Crossroads: Where to next?” in 2017, our theme was, “#Free Education and our role”, in 2018, “#Free Education – The Impact”, and 2019 “#Free Education – The Future of the Financial Aid Offices”.

The 2023 and 19th FAPSA Conference’s theme was #Empowering Futures: Fostering Inclusive Innovation in Financial aid. This year’s conference revolved around the idea of using innovative approaches to make financial aid more accessible, equitable, and supportive for all individuals seeking education and opportunities. Combining innovation and inclusivity in financial aid, institutions and organizations can transform the landscape of education, ensuring that no deserving individual is left behind due to financial limitations. This theme serves as a guiding principle for stakeholders in the education and financial sectors to collaborate and drive positive change in the lives of students and their communities.

We as FAPSA believe that our theme for this year’s conference clearly indicates that we still have a long way go. The Financial Aid Offices (FAOs) continue to be left out of critical decision-making processes. We have throughout the past few years emphasized on the importance of communication from NSFAS to FAOs in line with the demands and the implementation of Free Higher Education.

Thought leaders shared their wealth of knowledge with the delegates. This year’s conference took the form of an evolving conversation bringing together DHET, NSFAS, USAF and the members within the student funding sector.

The programme:

The conference included a break-away discussion session where delegates will get the opportunity to network and exchange best practices. Topics that were identified and included on the programme were:

  • The role of Financial Aid Offices
  • State of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and its impact on student and university debt

Member suggestions were also included in the programme.

Details

  • Location: Financial Aid Practitioner of South Africa, c/o Nthabiseng Khauoe, Secretary General, Student Centre, 1st floor, Symphony Way, Bellville Campus, CPUT, 7530</p> <p>

  • Phone: +27 (0)68 364 6776