The University is working closely with student leadership and specifically the Student Representative Council (SRC) to find solutions to students’ concerns regarding registration and accommodation. UP has taken a number of steps to support and accommodate students, and to ensure that academically deserving students are not turned away on the basis of financial or accommodation concerns. 

Some of the steps the University has already taken include:

• No student who qualified for NSFAS funding will be required to pay a registration fee, as this has been provided for by NSFAS.
   
• Working with individual students to address problems relating to finance, accommodation and the selection of study programmes. All students accepted for study in 2019 will be assisted where possible.
   
• For students who still have outstanding issues, an appeals process is in place to ensure all academic matters are heard and adjudicated by an impartial structure, in accordance with the University’s policies and procedures.
   
• Students with historic debt will be assisted where possible and should contact the University to make the necessary arrangements. Students who have performed well academically will be accommodated where possible.
   
• An additional 1 500 beds have been made available through lease agreements with landlords. UP, as one of the largest providers of student housing, can accommodate approximately 15 000 students in its residences as well as through accommodation provided by private service providers.  

 

Answers to students’ Frequently Asked Questions about registration and accommodation

While most UP students started classes this week, some prospective students are still facing challenges related to finances, academic performance or accommodation. Below are answers to the questions most frequently being asked by students still trying to register for classes in 2019.

1. I have NSFAS funding, but I do not have residence placement. What can I do?

Look for private or accredited accommodation by visiting https://www.up.ac.za/student-accommodation and submit the lease agreements to Mr George Chauke ([email protected]).

2. I have historical debt, and I do not have NSFAS funding.

Visit the Student Service Centre on the Hatfield Campus, where you’ll be referred to the relevant UP department. Each case will be assessed individually, and the University will do everything possible to ensure that academically deserving students are not turned away.

3. My appeal for academic exclusion was rejected. What can I do?

Contact your faculty administration for advice, or refer to the Senate Review Committee on Readmission  process.

4. I am not yet registered and do not have access at the gates.

All returning students will have access to campus via the Hatfield Campus main gate in Lynnwood Road. For more information or assistance contact the SRC by emailing [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected], and you’ll be placed on a list for temporary access so you can sort out your registration issues. 

5. I want to appeal for NSFAS funding. How do I do this?

Download an appeal form from the NSFAS site. If you’re a first-year student, submit your application directly to NSFAS. Senior students must hand the form in at the Student Service Centre – to the Bursary, Loans and NSFAS consultants.

6. My bursary will only pay out later in the year, and I need to register now to attend classes. What do I do?

Take your bursary letter to the Student Accounts Consultant in the Student Service Centre. If your bursary covers your registration, you will be allowed to register.

7. I’m an international student, and I am unable to register.

If you have proof of your documents submitted to the Department of Home Affairs, provisional registration will be allowed. Visit the International Office on the Hatfield campus for further assistance and guidance. 

8. I am a student living with a disability, and I need assistance on registration matters.

Please contact the Disability Unit at +27-12-420-2064 or e-mail [email protected].

9. I’ve completed my studies and am applying for jobs, but I owe the University money, and can't get my academic record. How can you assist?

Send an email to [email protected] for assistance and guidance.

10. I am a postgraduate student and I do not have funding. Where do I go for help?

Visit the Postgraduate Office or Study Finance Consultants at the Student Service Centre to apply for a loan or enquire about bursaries.

11. When does registration close for 2019 classes?

Registration has already closed, but students who’ve been accepted but still have outstanding issues can visit the Student Service Centre for assistance.

12. Are unregistered students allowed access to campus until the last day of registration? 

All returning students will have access to campus via the Hatfield Campus main gate in Lynnwood Road. For more information or assistance contact the SRC by emailing [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected], and you’ll be placed on a list for temporary access so you can sort out your registration issues. 

13. Where can I access UP’s list of NSFAS-accredited accommodation?

TuksRes has agreements in place with five properties (Hatfield Square, Urban Nest, Eastwood Village, Apartments on William and Flowers Edge), providing additional accommodation to 1797 students. Please view this list containing details of the buildings that we have accredited. You will see that we have nine buildings accredited for 2019.

14. How many students can UP provide accommodation for?

The University has 15 000 available beds in total across its official residences and accredited buildings.

15. My place in a UP residence or accredited building was cancelled due to outstanding fees. What can I do?

Contact TuksRes, which will assist. As soon as you have made the necessary financial arrangements or settlements, you will be placed in a residence.

16. What allowances do I, as a NSFAS student, qualify for?

Students in Residence: R5 000 Books + 10 X R275 incidental allowance payments + R 14 400 maximum once-off meal allowance (R50/day to last the duration of the academic year).

Self-Catering Residence: R5 000 Books + 10 monthly payments of R1 440 for living/ meal allowances.

Accredited Accommodation and Private Accommodation: R 5000 Books + 10 monthly payments of R1 440 for living/ meal allowances.

Living at Home: R5 000 Books + 10 monthly payments of R1 000 for transport.

17. How do I claim my allowances?

You need to complete a NSFAS payout form at the Student Service Centre and attach a copy of your ID and a copy of your bank statement or letter from your bank.

18.  How do I a claim my accommodation allowance?

NSFAS students staying in Accredited or Private Accommodation need to complete a payout form and hand it in at the Student Service Centre (Study Finance). You must attach to the form a valid lease agreement from the landlord/ rental company, and a declaration that the landlord and student must sign.

10 monthly payments (February to November) will be paid directly to the landlord if you’re staying in Accredited Accommodation or leasing through a rental company. In the case of Private Accommodation, the student has a choice of whether the payment should be made to the landlord or to the student, who will then pay the landlord. No payments will be made in this case without the landlord’s signature.

19. I am a NSFAS student. How much is available for accommodation?

The maximum amount available for 2019 is R49 400.

20. Is there a capped amount NSFAS students are assisted with?

NSFAS students who enrolled in a university prior to 2018 will be capped at R88 600 (Tuition fee + allowances).

For information on the NSFAS Appeals process 2019, please click here.

 

Historic debt Q&A

1. I have historic debt from previous years and am prevented from registering due to a financial block. I am also a 2019 NSFAS-approved student. Will I be able to register?

If your debt is related to an NSFAS shortfall, you need to sign an Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD) form with Study Finance (NSFAS Consultants). If your debt is not related to the 2017/18 NSFAS allocation, you need to make an arrangement with Student Accounts regarding old debt. Once this is in place you’ll be able to register as your registration fee will be waived.

2. I have historic debt from previous years and am prevented from registering. Will I be able to register?

For NSFAS-related debt, if:

•         you were approved for NSFAS in 2017 and NSFAS has not fully offered/ paid your 2017 account (i.e. there is a 2017 NSFAS shortfall), or

•         you were approved for NSFAS in 2018 and NSFAS has not fully offered/ paid your 2018 account (i.e. there is a 2018 NSFAS shortfall),

you’ll need to sign an Acknowledgement of Debt Form (AOD) with Study Finance (NSFAS consultants).

For Non-NSFAS-related debt:

• If the debt is not NSFAS shortfall-related, you will not be able to sign an Acknowledgment of Debt Form (AOD), and you will have to make an arrangement with a Student Accounts consultant.
• If you are a 2019 approved NSFAS student, you will be able to register without paying the registration fee.
• If you’re not a 2019 approved NSFAS student, you will have to make an arrangement with Student Accounts (old debt, registration fee and 2019 funding).