The 50% (half of the account) due date on 30 April has been extended until 30 June 2027. The deadline for payments due on 31 July (full payment of the account) has also been extended by 2 months to 30 September 2027.
The 30 April payment date for the 2,5% discount will remain.
The fees below are for 2027 year of study unless otherwise indicated.
Need Information or Confused about Something ?
Ask a Question| Description | Amount payable | When to pay | Notes |
| Application fee | R300 | With submission of application for studies | Non-refundable |
| Initial fee (first payment) for undergraduate students • Payable prior to registration• Also payable every subsequent year before registration | R5 000 | Selection study programmes Payable WITHIN 30 days of placement to reserve your study place – your Faculty will inform you | • The initial fee (first payment) forms part of the tuition fees and is an initial payment towards the tuition fees.• R1 355 of the initial fee will be retained for cancellations made WITHIN 30 days after study placement.• R2 500 of the initial fee will be retained for cancellations made MORE THAN 30 days after study placement. |
| All other study programmes Payable at least 5 days before registration | • The initial fee (first payment) forms part of the tuition fees and is an initial payment towards the tuition fees.• This fee is fully refundable if the student does not register. | ||
| Initial fee (first payment) for post graduate students | R7 500 | Payable at least 5 days before registration | The initial fee (first payment) forms part of the tuition fees and is an initial payment towards the tuition fees. |
| Residence reservation fee | R5 700 | Payable within 30 days after placement or before registration is allowed | See the Residence tile for full details, including information on meals. |
| International levyApplicable to various visa types, in addition to the initial fee. | R3 470 | Payable together with the tuition account See the International fees tile for more information | • This levy is fully refundable if the student does not register. |
| Tuition fees | See the Tuition fees per faculty tile | • Half (50%) of the student account is payable before or on 30 April.• The full (100%) student account is payable before or on 31 July. | • Accounts are available on the UP Portal (Student Centre) after registration.• Accounts are mailed monthly, starting March. Refer to the Statement of Account tile for important detail. |
| Discount for early payment | A discount of 2.5% is granted if the student account is paid in full by 30 April. | Refer to the “2,5% Discount tile” for very important details. | |
| Family rebate | R2 500 maximum per student for two or more students | Apply in UP Student Self-Service before 30 March | • Only applicable for tuition fees.• If account is less than R2 500, then only account amount is rebated.• Students must apply annually. Applications for previous years will not be granted.• Refer to the Family Rebate tile for more details. |
| Summer School andWinter School See tile for more detail. | Full tuition fees will be charged for the modules taken. | Immediately payable upon registration for the module(s) | These extra modules will impact negatively on NSFAS or other bursary living costs that are requested to be paid out. |
| Fees paid by bursaries See tile for more detail. | Ensure that you are aware of the conditions and value of your bursary as bursaries may or may not cover the full costs of your study costs. | External companies or other institutions that sponsor students with bursaries need to make the required payments to students’ accounts by the same due dates as if the students were paying the accounts themselves. | • Students must submit written proof from the sponsor of the bursary awarded to them prior to registration, otherwise the initial fee will be payable by the student.• The final decision regarding the acceptability of a bursary letter rests with the university.• Students remain responsible for their student accounts if their bursary sponsor does not pay their account. |
| Credit balances | Amounts in credit on your account | Depends on the source of the credit balance | • The refund application form is available at the SSC or refer to the Refund tile for more detail. |
| Other living costs | Not included on account | As required, for example books, food, travel, stationery, printing, and photocopies | Students should manage these costs themselves. Refer to the Other costs tile for more detail. |
| Cancellation fees Total discontinuation of studies and discontinuation of a module. | Refer to the Module changes and termination of studies tile for more detail and the dates table | Determined by the official date the university received the written discontinuation notification | In cases where cancellation is due to the hospitalisation or death of a student, cancellation fees may be waived if sufficient proof is provided. |
| Late addition of module | R420 | Before adding the module | For first semester or year course after 1 March |
| R420 | For second semester after 31 July | ||
| Late change of course of study | R420 | Before changing course | After 1 March but before 31 May |
| R1 355 | After 31 May | ||
| Recognition of subjects transferred from other institutions | R135 | As required | Quarter module |
| R270 | Semester module | ||
| R540 | Year course | ||
| Special Examination fees | R420 | As required | Special exams |
| R420 | Remark/verify result of exam | ||
| R900 | Off-campus (RSA) | ||
| R1 800 | Off-campus (International) | ||
| R1 355 | Post graduate in order to complete the evaluation thesis/dissertation | ||
| Certificates | R215 | As required | Translation and/or issuing of duplicate certificate (1st one free) |
| R50 | Duplicate registration certificate (1st one free) | ||
| R215 | Duplicate of statements of account – previous year(s) (1st one free) | ||
| Bank charges | R200 | As required |
Related Resources
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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.
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:
- 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.