NATIONAL NEWS - As registration processes continue at universities across the country Wits University’s Student Representative Council (SRC) says there is now an opportunity for the state to fully commit to ensuring assistance for students with historical debt to continue with their studies.

The SRC says it's clear there are many students who have debt from previous years and government along with universities must help these students.

It says the biggest challenge is dealing with those who were not on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme from previous years.

SRC president Kefentse Mkhari says university management has at this point come to the table and shown a commitment to dealing with the financial deficit the university is facing.

“All students who are academically deserving must be registered.”

Mkhari says the SRC is set to meet with Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande at the end of the month.

“This is where the state must rise to the occasion and show its commitment and its loyalty to this call of free education.”