It’s tough choosing a university. That being said, finding funding is even tougher. Don’t panic, life after school is not mission impossible! The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has funding options that put tertiary education within your reach.
What if we told you that some institutions offer their students financial aid? Sweet deal, right? Well, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) has made life simple by offering a range of financing options. There are many ways to fund that degree!
University of Johannesburg bursaries
If you would like to go the bursary route, you can either apply for:
- A sports bursary – where you are awarded a specific amount for excellent performance in sports
- A cultural bursary – where you are awarded a bursary on the basis of outstanding achievement in culture
First-time students who fulfilled some kind of leadership role (president, vice-president, secretary or treasurer) in high school or college and are enrolling at UJ full-time, get an extra once-off bursary of R1 650. Before this is awarded, the leadership role must be confirmed by the principal of your former school or college.
Merit bursary
If you are an academically top-achieving student, then a merit bursary is a good option for you. A merit bursary is when a certain amount of money is awarded to students who have achieved great final results. It is awarded on the basis of outstanding academic achievement. Although “all qualifying registered students will automatically be evaluated for a UJ merit bursary in the specific academic year in which they register”, it’s still up to you to make sure that the bursary is allocated to your account by 31 August of the specific year. This bursary is reserved for students pursuing a degree or a formal diploma and is also available for prospective undergraduate students.
Where does NSFAS fit in?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a loan option for students who cannot afford to pay university fees themselves. If the combined income in one family unit is R350 000 and less per year, the student from that household qualifies for NSFAS. The costs covered include books, tuition fees, food, accommodation, and travel costs. In order to apply, you will have to submit your:
- Identity document
- Matric certificate or latest academic results
- Proof of parents’ income (if they are employed)
- Death certificate/s (if parents are deceased) and IDs if they are living
- IDs of all people staying in your household
- Doctor’s certificate (in the case of permanent disability)
At UJ, the NSFAS student loan is for full-time undergraduate students who are South African citizens.
University of Johannesburg funding: How do I apply?
No application or administration fees are necessary to apply for NSFAS.
Due to the fact that no emailed or faxed applications will be accepted, you will need to either post your application to UJ or visit their offices on site, specifically the NSFAS centres at:
- Auckland Park Bunting Road Campus: (011) 559 -1250/1173/1193/1594/1552; A Red 24.
- Auckland Park Kingsway Campus: (011) 559-3906/3768/3575/2965/4035/3575; E Ring 1
- Doornfontein Campus: (011) 559-6195; (011) 559-6412; (011) 559-6063: 185, Admin Block.
- Soweto Campus: (011) 559-5507/5508/5702 – Ukhamba Building rooms ADB 114/118/119
Make sure that you send your academic and NSFAS applications separately.
Address it, “For attention: UJ NSFAS Office”.
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Choose what works for you in the long run. We don’t all start from the same financial level, or have the same financial support, or even the same financial needs; so it only makes sense that you choose the financing option that suits you. Before you investigate the options, you need to take into account how your present will affect your future. Will I be able to pay off a student loan? How long will it take me to pay it off? What do I need to get a bursary? What are the grade requirements for getting a bursary? What kind of bursary will work best for my degree and financial needs? These are just some of the questions you need to ask yourself as you prepare.
