​The Registrar of Stellenbosch University (SU), Dr Ronel Retief, sent a letter to new and current Maties on 17 January, with pertinent information regarding registration and the type of financial assistance available to students.

Below is the most important information the Registrar communicated:

NSFAS Before getting to information pertaining to Stellenbosch University (SU) specifically, just a reminder that all students who qualify for financial assistance from NSFAS (National Student Fund Aid Scheme), still have until coming Friday 20 January 2017 to apply for financial aid. DHET gap-funding grant

• With regard to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) gap-funding grant, students from quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools (as determined by the Department of Basic Education), and those who will be funded by NSFAS in 2017, will automatically qualify for the 8% gap-funding grant and need not apply.

• Students from families with a gross income of more than R122 000 up to R600 000 per annum – the so-called missing middle – and who fall outside of the two groupings mentioned above, will need to apply for the gap-funding grant. These students will still be required to pay the first instalment at registration as in the past, but will receive credit of 8% on their student accounts if they are deemed eligible for gap funding by the DHET, and the state funds have been received by the University.

• Detailed information, including my previous e-mail correspondence and the DHET application form with instructions for the gap-funding grant, is available on the Stellenbosch University home page: Registration and student fees 2017. Completed application forms with supporting documents may be sent to [email protected] or, alternatively, submitted in hard-copy format to the Centre for Bursaries and Loans, Administration A building for processing. Please ensure that all the required documents accompany your application for gap funding.

Registration at SU

• Online registration for 2017 is open at www.maties.com. Students who register online will avoid queues, including having to activate their student cards. As always, students who are unable to register online will be assisted by our administrative staff during the registration period.

• Students who have financial assistance (from NSFAS or other sources) for 2017, but still have outstanding debt from 2016, will be allowed to register for 2017 if the bursary/loan covers the outstanding amount plus the first instalment for 2017.

• Students who do not have outstanding debt, but cannot afford the full first instalment of the 2017 fees, can make arrangements with Student Fees to pay off the first instalment over three months.

Enquiries

If you have further queries regarding financial assistance and payments, or registration after having consulted the website (www.sun.ac.za), the following options are available:

• General enquiries: [email protected] or 021 808 9111

• NSFAS-related information is available at www.nsfas.org.za

• Enquiries related to gap funding: [email protected]

• Enquiries related to financial assistance: information desk at the Centre for Bursaries and Loans in the Administration A building.

• To make arrangements for paying off the first instalment of your student fees for 2017 over three months: Student Fees division in the Administration A building.

To read the letter to new Maties, click here.

To read the letter to current Maties, click here.