With full costs for an undergraduate degree running at around R200 000 per year, many UCT students struggle to fund their higher education from their household income. Undergraduate students who come from households that generate less than R350 000 a year can qualify for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), a government student funding programme.

Did you know?

• In 2024, nearly 33% of our South African undergraduates are NSFAS-funded.
• These are students from families with a gross income of less than R350 000; with the current financial crunch, families are unable to meet any shortfall in funding.
• Nearly 3 800 NSFAS funded students are in university residences and face an accommodation shortfall of R110 million annually.
• Close to 50% of our first-year students are first in their family to attend university; these students are socio-economic change agents for the future.

The consequences of carrying fee debt at the time of graduation are that:

• academic transcripts and degree certificates are held back until the fee debt is settled
• lack of proof of academic qualifications hinders entry into the world of work, jeopardises employment opportunities and the ability to earn a salary because most employers look for verification of qualifications.

Each year, UCT has a list of students who have completed the full academic requirements but cannot receive their degree certificates. They have worked hard and deserve the bright future that a UCT qualification will give them.

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Empower the next generation by lifting the burden of student debt

With your help, we can ensure Graduation Day for all qualifying UCT students because Together, we are UCT. Make a once-off gift or, consider a monthly donation. From as little as R200 per month, you can help a deserving UCT student attain their graduation dream. A single, larger donation of between R1 000 and R5 000 will help multiple students to succeed. Your contribution matters. Help UCT ensure that South Africa’s brightest young minds get their careers off to a great start.