Stenden University South Africa Details

By | June 28, 2016
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Stenden University South Africa Details

Stenden South Africa is an Institution of Higher Education, located in Port Alfred in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is a branch campus of Stenden University of Applied Sciences in The Netherlands. It was founded in 2002 and offers two specialised degree programmes: Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Disaster Management and Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) in Hospitality Management. Hospitality students may decide to add a year to their studies and obtain a double degree: The South African B.Com and The Dutch Bachelor of Business Administration.

History

Stenden South Africa was established in 2002 in what was up to then known as the Grand Hotel in Port Alfred. The hotel was adapted to fit the requirements of a university campus and at present all hotel rooms are occupied by students. The initial name under which Stenden South Africa operated was EISS: The Educational Institute for Service Studies. In 2008 CHN University and Drenthe University merged, forming Stenden University, therefore causing EISS to become Stenden South Africa. By South African law, only public universities are allowed to use the name ‘university’ which is why the additive ‘South Africa’ was chosen.

Organisation

Stenden University of Applied Sciences is an international university which has locations in the Netherlands: Leeuwarden (head office), Groningen, Meppel, Assen, Emmen, and international sites in Doha (Qatar), Port Alfred (South Africa), Bangkok (Thailand) and Bali (Indonesia). With a unique “Grand Tour” concept students have the possibility to study at all Stenden’s locations abroad. Stenden has more than 800 employees and about 11,000 students, including 2500 international students from 65 different nationalities. It offers 13 “Lectorates” and knowledge networks, 3 Associate Degrees, 21 Bachelor’s programs and 6 Master’s programs within the fields of (Service) Management, Education, Welfare, Economics and Technology.

Stenden South Africa  is a campus site of Stenden University of Applied Sciences offering a Bachelors program in Hospitality Management and a Bachelors program in Disaster Management for locally based students, as well as different minor programs for “Grand Tour” students. It is registered with the Department of Education of South Africa  to offer the Bachelor of Commerce in Hospitality Management and the Bachelor of Business Administration Disaster Management; the programmes are registered with South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Governance

The director of Stenden South Africa is the Chairman of the Executive Board of Stenden University. In 2011, Mr. Leendert Klaassen was appointed in this role, taking over from Mr. Robert Veenstra who was the Chairman of Stenden University from 2004 onwards. The head of the institution is the Executive Dean, Dr. Wouter Hensens, who is responsible for the executive management of the institution. The Executive Dean reports to a Board of Governors composed of local stakeholders that advise the Executive Board of Stenden University. The Board of Governors is headed by Mr. Adrian Gardiner, owner and chairman of the Mantis collection of Hotels and founder of Shamwari Game Reserve. The School of Disaster Management that offers the BBA in Disaster (Relief) Management is headed up by Academic Dean Dr. Des Pyle and the School of Hotel Management that offers the BCom Hospitality Management by Dr. Juliet Chipumuro.

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Campus

Facilities on campus include accommodation, a dining hall offering three meals per day, Library, Computer Lab, Coffee Bar, Student Lounge (“Rustica”), parking facilities, class-rooms, auditorium and Practical Kitchen. Most areas of the campus and student accommodations are equipped with Wi-Fi.

Student Life

Stenden South Africa has a very active Student Representative Council (SRC), with portfolios that cover all aspects of student life: Academic Quality, Food, Entertainment, Sport, and Residencies. As part of the commitment to community development, Stenden South Africa encourages students to take part in Enactus (previously known as SIFE). There are several projects these students are involved in within the Ndlambe to uplift the community.

Learning Hotel

Stenden South Africa manages the MyPond Hotel in Port Alfred. Students of the Hotel Management School (B.Com. Hospitality Management) perform learning tasks in this hotel, ranging from operational duties to supervisory and managerial functions. In this way, students will learn all aspects of hotel management. This is all part of the “Real World Learning” concept that pervades the Bachelor programmes of Stenden University of Applied Sciences. The Stenden MyPond Hotel has been nominated for the Lilizela Service Excellence Awards in 2013 and 2014 and was the winner of the Sunshine Coast Tourism Accommodation Excellence Awards in the Hotel category in 2015. The Lily restaurant in the MyPond Hotel was elected the Best Restaurant in the Eastern Cape in December 2014.

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Affiliations

  • Mantis Collection
  • THEPSA (Tourism Hospitality Education Providers South Africa)
  • Rotary
  • Enactus
  • Fancourt Golf Estate and Hotel
  • MS The World – Residencies at sea
  • Pezula Resort Hotel and Spa
  • Shamwari Townhouse
  • The Saxon
  • Spier Wine Estate
  • One & Only Resort
  • Radisson Blu
  • Mount Grace Country House and Spa

 

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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)

If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.

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This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.

📌 What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.

NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:

  • Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
  • Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.

✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?

To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:

  • Be a South African citizen.
  • Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
  • Have a valid South African ID.
  • Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
  • Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).

📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS

NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.

If you’re studying:

  • Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
  • Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.

📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application

When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:

  1. Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
  2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
  3. Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
  4. Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
  5. Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
  6. Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)

  1. Visit the NSFAS Website

    Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za

  2. Create an Account

    • Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
    • You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
    • Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.

  3. Login and Start the Application

    • After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
    • Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.

  4. Fill in Your Personal Details

    • Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
    • Provide household income information and living arrangements.

  5. Upload Required Documents

    • Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
    • Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.

  6. Submit Your Application

    • Review your application for accuracy.
    • Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.

  7. Track Your Application

    • Log in regularly to check your application status.
    • You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.

🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)

  • Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
  • Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
  • Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
  • Disbursement: After registration and approval

Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.

💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?

NSFAS funding typically includes:

  • Tuition fees
  • Registration fees
  • Accommodation (if living away from home)
  • Meals and transport
  • Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)

For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).

🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment

Repayments are:

  • Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
  • Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
  • Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.

You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.

🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application

If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:

  1. Log into your MyNSFAS account.
  2. Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
  3. If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
  4. Upload any missing or corrected documents.
  5. Provide a clear explanation or motivation.

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

📝 Final Tips Before Applying

  • Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
  • Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
  • Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
  • Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.

By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.

 

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