The 2024 CAO (Central Applications Office) applications are open for South African students! This is great news if you’re looking to complete your college or university application forms for 2024.
If you’re wondering why students would apply through CAO instead of directly through the college or university, don’t worry, we’ll explain!
Mainly used in KwaZulu-Natal, the CAO—otherwise known as the Central Applications Office—is a non-profit organisation in South Africa that processes applications for colleges and universities all in one single place.
The sole purpose of the CAO is to make the process of applying to a higher education institution much easier and more simplified. In fact, the process is so seamless, you can apply to multiple places (up to 6) with one application form and fee if you wanted to (bonus!).
How does it all work, though? Good question. The CAO requires students to navigate to the CAO website and fill out the required details on the platform.
Once students have filled out all the necessary details on the CAO website, they can then start the application process with their chosen tertiary institution.
Now that you know exactly what the CAO is and how it all works, let’s take a look at how you can start your CAO application for 2024:
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CAO Application Dates
Opening date for 2024 applications: 1 March 2023
If you’re a student looking to fill out a CAO application for next year, then you’ll be happy to know that there is still time to get all your documents ready before the next closing date!
It’s important to note that students who would like to start studying in 2024 will need to check the closing dates of the tertiary institution they are looking to apply to prior to sending their application to the CAO.
The CAO application dates are dependent on your chosen programme’s open and closing application dates, so you’ll need to check what they are before you can apply.
For example, if you’re looking to study toward a Degree in Medicine and would like to attend the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), you would have to send your application to the CAO before 30 June 2023.
Wondering when tertiary institution applications are set to close for 2024? You can check out our full list of the 2024 Institution Application Dates and stay informed.
Supporting Documents Needed for Your CAO Application
Before you can submit your CAO application, you’ll need to upload supporting documents first. In terms of which supporting documents to upload, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are the supporting documents needed for your 2024 CAO application:
- A copy of your ID is required.
- If you’re in Grade 12, include your final Grade 11 academic report. Alternatively, if you’ve completed your highest qualification, provide a copy of that.
- Non-South African applicants should include a copy of their study/residence permit.
In some cases, additional documents may be requested:
- If you’re currently in Grade 12, submit your June Grade 12 report as soon as you receive it.
- Likewise, once you obtain your September/Trials Grade 12 report, upload it immediately.
- You may also need to provide any other documents specifically requested by the institution, such as an Academic Record.
How to Upload Your Supporting Documents Needed for Your CAO Application
Once you’ve got your supporting documents ready, it’s time to start uploading! Here’s how to upload your documents on the CAO website:- Visit www.cao.ac.za.
- On the Home Page, you’ll find the ‘Upload My Documents’ icon. Click on it.
- Read the instructions carefully to understand what you’ll need for logging in and uploading your documents.
- Once you’ve logged in, follow the provided steps to upload your documents. If required, enter your examination results accordingly.
- Before submitting, it’s crucial to review and ensure that you’ve uploaded the correct documents and entered the accurate results.
- When you’re ready, click the ‘Submit My Documents’ icon.
2024 CAO Application: How to Apply
There are a few ways to apply when it comes to submitting your 2024 CAO application. You can either submit a hard copy application form, which is the least efficient option. Or, you can visit the CAO website and apply online.
To complete the online application process, you should follow these simple steps:
- Visit the website, www.cao.ac.za, and click on the ‘Apply’ button.
- Read the provided information and proceed by clicking on ‘Continue with Application’.
- Enter your South African ID number and click on ‘Submit’.
- Begin entering all the required details. Once you have provided all the requested information, click on ‘Next’.
- Proceed by clicking on ‘Continue with Online Application’.
- A pop-up window will appear, displaying your CAO number, password and EasyPay number. Take a moment to read the instructions carefully. This important information will also be sent to the email address you provided, ensuring you can access it at a later date if needed.
- Click on ‘Continue with Online Application’ to proceed.
- Follow the instructions provided and ensure you complete all the required information.
- Click ‘Next’ on each page as you navigate through the application.
- Once you reach the end of the application, review the summary of your application displayed on the screen.
- Finally, click the ‘Process My Application’ button located at the end of that page.
After you’ve clicked the button on your application, a message will appear on your screen indicating that your submission was successful. This means that you can now proceed to make your payment online or upload any supporting documents that you haven’t had the chance to get to yet.
Overall, applying online provides a convenient and efficient way to ensure prompt processing of the application. With that said, after the application process comes the waiting process. Speaking of, how do you keep track of your CAO application status?
CAO Status Check: How to Check Your CAO Application
After you’ve submitted your application, you may get impatient while waiting to see if you’ve been accepted. Luckily, there are a few ways to check your CAO status to see how your application is progressing.
You can check the status of your CAO application by following the below steps:
- Visit www.cao.ac.za.
- Click on ‘Check My Application’.
- Alternatively, use the CAO self-help service by dialling 031 268 4444 or 0860 860 226
What Does Your CAO Application Status Mean?
If you’ve logged online and you see an application status there but are not quite sure what it means, don’t fret. The CAO has outlined its exact statuses and their meanings in its 2024 handbook, which you can view below:
Subject
Memo
Waiting for a Decision
The tertiary institution has not yet considered your application.
Late Application
Applications received after the closing date.
Awaiting Results
The tertiary institution is waiting for further results (e.g., June, Trial, or final NSC results) before making a decision.
Conditional Offer
An offer is made provided that you meet specific requirements.
Firm Offer
You have been offered a place by a tertiary institution.
Has Not Met Programme Ranking Criteria
You do not meet the tertiary institution’s specific criteria for the programme.
Interview/Audition/Portfolio
The programme requires special selection procedures.
Please Supply Academic Record
The tertiary institution requires a copy of your academic record from the previous tertiary study.
Please Supply USAf/SAQA Evaluation
The tertiary institution requires a Universities South Africa (USAf)/SAQA evaluation of your foreign exam results.
Applications Closed
The application and/or administration fee was received after the closing date and will not be considered.
Refer for Decision
The application needs further assessment before the status can be changed.
Regret Programme Discontinued
The tertiary institution will no longer offer a programme listed in the Handbook.
Regret Unsuccessful
The tertiary institution has decided not to offer you a place.
Short-listed, Standby, and Wait-listed
The tertiary institution is considering your application but has not made a final decision.
Unsuccessful Following Placement Test/Interview
The tertiary institution has decided not to offer you a place after the entrance test or interview.
You can view more details about the CAO application status by downloading the PDF version of the CAO 2024 handbook.
Colleges and Universities That Use CAO for Applications
It’s important to ensure that your tertiary institution makes use of CAO to apply. If you’re unsure as to whether your institution uses CAO applications, then don’t worry, we’ve got the full list of colleges and universities that use CAO for applications below:
The following tertiary institutions currently make use of the CAO for applications:
Colleges That Use CAO for Applications
In terms of the colleges that use CAO for applications, there are several in KwaZulu-Natal that you can apply to, such as:
- AAA School of Advertising
- Berea College of Technology
- Berea Technical College
- CTU Training Solutions
- Central Technical College
- STADIO (Embury)
- ICESA Education
- iStudent
- MANCOSA
- PAX College
- Regent Business School
- Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology
- Varsity College: Business School
- Management and Leadership Academy
- Eduvos
Universities That Use CAO for Applications
When it comes to universities, there are quite a couple that use CAO for applications in South Africa, including:
- Durban University of Technology
- Mangosuthu University of Technology
- University of Kwazulu-Natal
- University of Zululand
Remember, applying to college or university is an exciting step towards your educational journey. By conducting thorough research, submitting a well-prepared application and staying organised throughout the process, you can increase your chances of securing a place in the programme of your choice.
Remember to stay updated with your CAO application status and adhere to all deadlines.
Best of luck with your 2024 CAO application and may your educational aspirations become a reality!
Fund Your Studies with Fundi
After successfully submitting your CAO application, you might be wondering about the financial aspect of your studies. No need to fret because Fundi is here to assist you!
Fundi provides study loans that cater to various educational expenses. Whether you need assistance with accommodation, purchasing a device, buying textbooks or covering tuition fees, Fundi has got you covered.
Curious to know if you meet the requirements for a Fundi study loan? Give the Fundi Loan Calculator a try and kickstart your academic journey today!
