Windhoek: The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture has announced an increase in the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) non-tuition household income threshold, raising it to N.dollars 300,000 from the previous N.dollars 100,000. This change was revealed by Education Minister Sanet Steenkamp during a media conference held on Friday, discussing the subsidised funding model.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the adjustment is designed to enable students whose parents' combined annual income does not exceed N.dollars 300,000 to qualify for NSFAF non-tuition funding under the government's new subsidised funding model. This move is part of a broader effort to support students from low and middle-income households and to reinforce the government's dedication to inclusivity.

Minister Steenkamp emphasized that the increase in the non-tuition household income threshold aims to broaden access for students from low- and middle-income families, thus promoting inclusivity and equity within the education system. She also highlighted that the implementation of the subsidised tertiary education model is a national initiative necessitating cooperation and collaboration among various stakeholders.

NSFAF's acting operations executive, Johanna Shidhika, noted that while education is fully subsidised, students are permitted to register at only one institution at a time. She also mentioned that students who do not meet the funding criteria will be excluded from receiving financial assistance.