Financial Aid Office
Financial assistance is awarded to academically merited and financially needy students to assist in paying for study- related costs, such as fees, accommodation and books. The following types of financial aid are available.
1. University Administered Awards (Bursaries)
These are offered by donors who have made funds available for the University to administer according to set criteria. University Administered Awards are for second, third and fourth year students only. Applicants must be South African citizens, have a very good academic record, should be assessed as financially needy and have to make a family contribution towards their studies. The size of awards varies.
2. NSFAS (Bursary/Loan)
NSFAS Loans are available for both financially needy and academically deserving students. The criteria are available in the application form and also in the NSFAS brochure (for NSFAS enquiries, see the 'Contact us' section of this page).
3. Merit Bursaries
These are available to first year students who obtained the equivalent of an A –aggregate in Grade 12 in the year preceding their first registration at the University.
4. Nominated Awards
These are offered by off-campus agencies. Private companies, NGO’s etc. award bursaries or scholarships directly to students who apply to them. Students must ensure that they submit copies of their award letters to the relevant staff member at the financial aid office.
Donor listing booklet
The Financial Aid Office has compiled a listing of donors who provide financial aid to applicants who meet certain criteria.
To download the donor listing booklet, click here.
Closing dates
Financial Aid closing dates are as follows:
- Returning students: last working day of August (for the following year).
- Second semester students: last working day of May (for the year in which registered).
- First year students: the last working day of February (in the year of first registration).
Contact us
Students studying at Bellville, Tygerberg and Groote Schuur
The Financial Aid Office is located on the Ground Floor of the Library Extension on Bellville Campus.
NSFAS Tel: +27 21 959 6349/ 959 6594/ 959 6495
University Administered Awards Tel: +27 21 959 6253
Nominated Awards Tel: +27 21 959 6493 / 959 6578
Students studying at Cape Town, Mowbray, Granger Bay and Wellington
The Financial Aid Office is located on Level 5 of the Administration Building on Cape Town Campus.
Please contact Tel: +27 21 460 3918/ 460 3327/ 460 3856/ 460 3744
External funding opportunities
City of Cape Town
The City of Cape Town are offering bursaries for full-time studies to persons residing in the greater Cape Metropolitan area who will be registering for an undergraduate/postgraduate degree/diploma in certain fields of study.
For more information visit the City of Cape Town website.
