Hey, if you are looking for the Unisa Application Fee then this article is here to answer your question. The application fee for online applications is R135,00. Please note: The application fee is only applicable to students who do not have a formal Unisa student number. * Student numbers issued for short learning programmes are not formal Unisa student numbers.

The application fee is only applicable to students who do not have a formal Unisa student number.
* Student numbers issued for short learning programmes are not formal Unisa student numbers. If you have a student number issued by the Graduate School of Business Leadership, please ensure that you pay the application fee during the application process to receive a formal Unisa student number.

The application fee is a once-off fee. Once you have paid the application fee and received a formal Unisa student number, you do not need to pay the application fee again.

Use the student number you receive from Unisa AND the application fee reference number (ie STUDENTNUMBER 5370810030). Visit www.unisa.ac.za/paymentinfo for banking details and payment information.

The due date for the application fee is the closing date for the application period. Any application submitted without an application fee will not be processed. Please ensure that you keep a copy of your proof of payment.

This application fee is non-refundable even if you decide not to study through Unisa or do not qualify for admission to Unisa.

Pay the application fee

Pay the online application fee of R135,00.

Use the student number you receive from Unisa AND the application fee reference number (eg STUDENTNUMBER 5370810030)
Send your proof of payment to susdepid@unisa.ac.za
Click here for Unisa’s payment methods and banking details.

Unisa does not accept cash at any of its offices. You may, however, deposit cash into the university’s First National Bank account.

2. Apply for admission

Who should apply for admission?

Everyone wanting to start a new qualification must apply for admission, including students in their final year of study.

Please note: Some qualifications have been approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) as generic qualifications, for example, the PhD. Unisa created administrative specialisations/streams to ensure that the application will be considered by the correct department. On completion of the qualification, the name of the qualification as approved by DHET will display on the degree certificate and not the specialisation. The specialisation will, however, display on the academic record.

When may I apply for admission?

Application are online only! Applications for admission for the 2024 academic year open from 14 September to 31 January 2024.

Fees & payment methods

Fees Office

General queries

Landline: 011 652 0312
E-mail: SBLfinance@unisa.ac.za

Student fees are broken down into the following

Application fee
Tuition fees; split into acceptance deposit and subsequent payment plan
Additional fees for students outside of SA and outside of Africa
Miscellaneous fees

Application fees formal programmes

Online applications R 110
Manual applications R 170

Notes

Application fees are non-refundable.
The application fee may be paid using the MyUnisa online payment platform http://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/corporate/default/Apply-for-admission/Student-fees-and-funding-your-studies/Unisa-payment-methods-and-banking-details or electronic fund transfer (EFT) or credit card or cash deposit at your nearest bank. Note that Unisa SBL does not accept cash on the premises.
Bursars (sponsors) can request a pro-forma invoice from the Fees Office
Invoices will only be created once a valid purchase order (PO) is sent by the bursar/ sponsor

Note that Unisa is a cashless environment.

Tuition fees need to be settled at the following intervals

50% of total tuition on registration.

Year modules

25% of total tuition on the 15^th of May, and then the balance on 15^th of August.

Semester modules

50% of total tuition on the 15^th of March (1st semester modules) or 15th of August (2nd semester modules).

Study material

Students should source their prescribed books from UNISA approved book sellers.

Withdrawal from programme (excluding DBL)

Subject to Section 12(2) of the Consumer Protection Act, a cancellation fee is payable as follows:

Registered students who wish to withdraw from any SBL programme or offering for any reason must do so in writing to the Programme Administrator and the Fees Office: failure to do so will result in the student being liable for the full tuition fees of the programme.

Notes

Withdrawal before the programme commencement date will be refunded in full.
Withdrawal after the programme commencement date, but before 15 May will result in a liability equal to 50% of tuition fees.
Withdrawal after the programme commencement date, but before 15 August will result in a liability equal to 75% of tuition fees.
Withdrawal after the programme commencement date, but after 15 August will result in a liability equal to 100% of tuition fees.
For semester modules withdrawal after the programme commencement date, but before either 15 March ( for 1st semester modules) or 15 August (for 2nd semester modules) will result in a liability equal to 50% of tuition fees. Withdrawal after programme commencement but after either 15 March (for 1st semester modules) of 15 August (for 2nd semester modules) will result in a liability equal to 100% of the tuition fees.

Withdrawal from programme (DBL students)

NB: No refunds will be processed if students withdraw from the DBL programme; the student is liable for the full cost of the programme irrespective of date of withdrawal.

Foreign levies (additional fees for students residing outside of South Africa and outside of the African continent)

Category A: Africa Year Module R2680.00

Semester Module R1340.00

Category B: Rest of the world Year Module R5140.00

Semester Module R2570.00

*Please note that the fees stipulated herein are provisional and subject to change pending Council approval.

Miscellaneous fees

These include but are not limited to charges such as supplementary exam fees, re-mark, re-check, mark audit and library fees. These fees could be levied during the course of the academic year. Such charges often appear late in the year, so it is the student’s responsibility to check for these charges to avoid financial penalties.

Supplimentary examination R240.00

Special and/or aegrogat examinations (per study unit) R240.00

Remark R420.00

Mark audit R180.00

Financial blocks and cancelations

Unsettled accounts are subject to financial blocks or/and cancellations. Accounts that are cancelled or blocked will not have access to academic results on the MyUnisa platform.

Failure to settle fees in full

Should a student fail to settle all outstanding amounts, the student risks the following financial penalties: student will be unable to access his/her statement of results, student will not be allowed to form part of the graduation, student will not be accepted into the next academic year of study, and the student runs a risk of being handed over to a third party for collection of outstanding amounts. Once the outstanding account is handed over for collection, the student will be liable for legal costs of recovery.

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📌 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:

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

🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online

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

Visit the NSFAS Website

Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
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.
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
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.
Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
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:

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

📱 NSFAS Contact Information

Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
Email: info@nsfas.org.za
Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
Twitter: @myNSFAS
Facebook: NSFAS

📝 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.