NATIONAL STUDENT FINANCIAL AID SCHEME

STRATEGIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES, PLANS OF ACTION AND MEASURABLE OUTCOMES

STRATEGIC GOAL 1: To ensure effective governance, management and administration of NSFAS

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. To manage organisational risk effectively.	Identify relevant regulatory requirements.	Summary report of requirements.	Apr 2007
	Draft a Fraud Prevention Plan for approval by NSFAS Board, in line with NSFAS Risk Assessment and regulatory requirements.	Fraud Prevention Plan approved by Board.	Aug 2007
2. Ensure business continuity, of both systems and human resources.	Draft a Business Continuity Plan (including Disaster Recovery) for approval by the NSFAS Board.	Business Continuity Plan approved by Board.	Aug 2007
3. Ensure Board awareness of institutions allocation requirements.	Provide financial data to Board members.	Executive reports to Board and sub-committees monthly, by 7^th.	Ongoing	Ongoing	Ongoing
4. Ensure fair presentation of annual financial statements.	Consult with regulatory experts regarding new accounting statements, in particular Standards of Generally Recognised Accounting Practice.	Expert recommendations approved by Audit Committee.	Apr 2007
	Implement recommendations.	Draft annual financial statements to Audit Committee	May 2007	Ongoing	Ongoing
5. Ensure utilisation of budgetary funds as planned.	Re-structure accounting system to allow for more specific expenditure reports without the need for manual intervention.	Re-structured chart of accounts in ACCPAC.	Apr 2007	Ongoing	Ongoing

STRATEGIC GOAL 2: To ensure effective management and investment of NSFAS funds

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. Ensure optimum returns on investments.	Determine regulatory restrictions with regard to diversifying existing investment portfolios.	Receive input from National Treasury.	Apr 2007
	Invite proposals from asset managers.	Receive proposals from various asset managers.	Oct 2007
		Assess proposals from asset managers and draft recommendation.	Dec 2007
		Investment proposal for approval by Board	Mar 2008
2. Ensure banking services are at an optimum.	Closed tender for banking services.	Receive proposals from major banks.	Oct 2007
		Feedback to Board	Mar 2008

STRATEGIC GOAL 3: To provide effective and efficient Human Resource Management and Administration to ensure that staff are competent to execute and support the NSFAS Strategy; and are managed in accordance with best current practices.

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. To maintain an appropriate and up-to-date HR Administration and Maintenance system (compensation and benefits)	To implement all relevant HR legislation provisions in the BCEA, LRA, etc. ensuring compliance in-line with annual audit requirements.	All relevant HR legislation provisions in the BCEA, LRA, etc. are adhered to.
	To implement HR policy guidelines for line managers and employee manual for staff by April 2008 in order to guide them to comply with legislative provisions as well as provision of the NSFAS HR Policies.	HR policy guidelines implemented for line managers. Employee manual developed for staff Reviewed annually	March 2008 March 2008	Ongoing	Ongoing
2. To maintain an effective Education Training and Development (ETD) system	Maintaining core-training indicators per job type, by establishing and maintaining a training D/Base	Training database implemented	November 2007	Ongoing	Ongoing
	Identify potential training gaps, such as paralegal education, in liaison with line managers. Updated training plans.	Updated training plans.	November 2007
3. To put in place a performance appraisal system to monitor performance levels and identify training needs.	Conduct annual performance assessments of all staff.	Completed assessments	April 2007	Ongoing	Ongoing
	Explore links between performance appraisals and rewards and make recommendations for policy changes to NSFAS management.	Recommendations for policy changes to NSFAS management. Implemented policy changes Review	September 2007	May 2008	April 2009
	Establish performance agreements / standards for all staff.	Established performance agreements for down to level 7 Remaining levels performance standards	June 2007	March 2008	Ongoing
	Arrange training sessions for all line managers and staff.	Training held for all line managers	September 2007

STRATEGIC GOAL 4: To provide a high level of information technology infrastructure and to provide IT services and related electronic solutions ensuring improved efficiency and communication.

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. Evaluate mobile technologies and its potential usage/impact on the organization.	Determine the extent of cell phone usage amongst NSFAS debtors. Establish applicability of mobile technologies within the NSFAS environment. Report to management/board how mobile technologies can be utilised to enhance service delivery.	Produce a spreadsheet of current NSFAS debtors who are cell phone subscribers. Review current literature on the utilisation mobile technologies. Produce a report on the potential usage of mobile technologies within NSFAS together with a cost/benefit analysis.	July 2007 Dec 2007 March 2008

2. Continuously upgrade the security of the NSFAS network (upgrade to GNATBox from a software based solution to an appliance)	Evaluate appliance based security solutions. Replace the current software based solution with an appliance.	Produce a report on the advantages of appliance based versus software based security solutions. Install appliance.	April 2007 July 2007
3. Enhance the Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity Plans of the organization by investigating the feasibility of establishing a hot/cold site.	Research Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity solutions such as cold and hot sites. Report to management / board.	Produce a report of current DR/BCP solutions available and the advantages/disadvantages of implementing an off-site recovery location.		April 08 Sept ‘08
4. Research IT Governance frameworks such as Information Technology Information Library (ITIL)/Cobit and make recommendations to the CEO’s office/Board	Study the King Report on IT Governance and establish any requirements NSFAS may need to fulfill. At the same time research IT Governance frameworks which could assist the organization in this regard. Report to management / board	Produce a report detailing NSFAS obligations in terms of Compliance to the King report on IT Governance. The report will also include suggestions on IT Governance frameworks, which could be applicable to NSFAS.	June 2007 June 2007 Sep 2007
5. Continue to roll-out the e-LAF initiative to the 23 higher education Institutions in South Africa during the next 3 years.	Continue deployment of the e-LAF initiative. Also train the FAOs in conjunction with the Awards Administration department. first 6 Institutions next 6 Institutions last 7 Institutions Note: Deployment at 4 institutions will have been completed by March 2007	Deploy the e-LAF application. Deploy the e-LAF application. Deploy the e-LAF application.	Mar 2008	March 2009	March 2010
6. Implement electronic solutions to assist FAOs with the reporting of final reports and graduate drop-out statistics.	Investigate the feasibility of establishing direct links with Institution systems to exchange information such as Final Reports, Graduate Drop-Out and Address data. Report back to management. Implement e-business links to collaborate more closely with Institutions. (In line with standards / policies developed in Objective 5)	Produce a prototype application and pilot the proposed solution with 3 institutions. Report of the success of the project and its viability. Deploy the application.	Mar ‘08	June 2008	March 2009 (to March 2011)
7. Implement a facility to provide statements to debtors via email.	Complete feasibility study. Collect addresses from students/debtors. Start sending statement vi email.	Produce a cost/benefit analysis. Produce a list of NSFAS debtors with valid email address, whilst developing an email solution. Deploy the email solution.	April 2008	June 2008	April 2009

STRATEGIC GOAL 5: To ensure the efficient and effective functioning of Awards Administration.

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. To improve the turnaround time for administration processes.	Processing claims (capturing, reconciling, scanning and filing of LAFs) within 90 days.	Claims processed within 100 days on average by end of 3 year period.	160 days	120 days	90 days

STRATEGIC GOAL 6: To ensure compliance by financial aid offices (FAOs) with NSFAS rules and requirements.

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. Monitor, evaluate train and equip financial aid office (FAO) staff	Conduct a needs analysis of matters with which FAOs experience difficulty. Embark on visits to institutions	Overall improved compliance noted within Audit reports by 2010	Ongoing 10 FAOs	Ongoing 10 FAOs	Ongoing 10 FAOs
2. Rollout of the electronic loan agreement form (e-LAF) process with Information Technology	Train FAO staff during visits to institutions	All institutions rolled out by March 2010	10 FAOs	10 FAOs	10 FAOs

STRATEGIC GOAL 7: To ensure compliance with the National Credit Act (NCA) and review NSFAS Act

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. Familiarise the organisation with the requirements of the National Credit Act (NCA)and ensure compliance with the Act.	In consultation with NSFAS legal advisor stay up to date with requirements and change in the NCA and inform the organisation at Staff Briefing Sessions.	Full compliance with the NCA	June 2007	Review June 2008	Review June 2009
2. Review the NSFAS Act (Act 56 of 1999) with a view to making proposal to the Minister for amendments to the Act.	In consultation with legal advice from NSFAS legal advisor and the Department of Education legal section review the Act to ascertain what amendments might be desirable..	Proposals are made to the Board Proposals are submitted to the Minister	July 2007	April 2008

STRATEGIC GOAL 8: To Increase Collections through improved strategies and processes

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. To determine a more accurate formula for projecting collections.	Collections department together with research and actuarial assistance to develop a method of projecting future recovery trends in respect of loan repayments by NSFAS loanees.	A loan recovery projection model is developed Model is reviewed and refined (if necessary)	August 2007	July 2008	July 2009
2. Set up a permanent tracing section to locate untraced loanees	Establish three posts and fill the posts with permanent staff. Review effectiveness of tracing section.	New section is set up and functioning normally. Review of effectiveness	Apr 2007 March 2008	March 2009	March 2010

STRATEGIC GOAL 9: To enhance the organisational visibility among the stakeholder communities

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. To ensure distribution of NSFAS promotional information to all stakeholders	Send brochures and poster to all schools, institutions of higher learning and youth organisations	Brochures and posters send by the due date.	June 2007	June 2008	June 2009
2. Organise series of meetings with NGO’s and youth organisations	To host provincial workshops with interested progressive NGO’s and youth organisations	Workshops are organised 2 to 3 provinces per year to meet interested organisations.	By April and August 2007	By April and August 2008	By April and August 2009

STRATEGIC GOAL 10: To provide research mechanisms into the parameters and operations of the scheme

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. To finalise proposed changes to the Allocations formula	Research and develop a more accurate way of determining the need at institutions.	Funds to be allocated to various institutions based on the new formula for the new financial year.		Oct 2008
2. To revisit parameters of the Means Test	Researching and establish a baseline for minimum living levels.	Each institution to be using the new test to be issued each year.		Sept 2008
3. To undertake further research and make proposals on the systems used to make awards and encourage improved and more efficient operation of the scheme.	Research and determine criteria used in the system of operation to ensure for completion of studies in minimum time, the criteria for continued study and the implications of changing any of the parameters.	New parameters/systems are: Proposed Implemented Evaluated	July 2007	April 2008	April 2009

STRATEGIC GOAL 11: To provide effective and efficient office administration services ensuring timeous supply of resources and equipment in support of the NSFAS Strategy; and are managed in accordance with best current practices.

OBJECTIVE	PLAN OF ACTION	MEASURABLE OUTCOME	TIME FRAME
			2007/2008	2008/2009	2009/2010
1. To ensure NSFAS facilities are well maintained.	Establish integrated maintenance register indicating planned maintenance as well as adhoc requirements.	Established integrated maintenance register.	May 2007
2. To administer procurement process in line with established policies.	Ensure compliance to policies by following laid down procedures when initiating process (accurate record keeping).	Compliance to policies indicated by annual audits	July 2007	July 2008	July 2009