Financial need

If you are not at all able to pay university fees due to financial need APPLY NOW  for financial aid for study, and submit the required supporting documents as evidence of this financial need which will be requested on the application system. The online financial aid application form will be active annually, and you require a University of Pretoria student number (u00000000) to complete the form.

The University of Pretoria guarantees no loan or bursary.

For more information on the application process click here.

Apply in the year BEFORE you study

You have to apply for financial aid during the year preceding your studies, irrespective of whether you have been admitted to study yet or not, to allow time for processing your financial aid application. 

2024 Financial Aid applications: Open 04 December 2023 and Close 29 November 2024

2025 Financial Aid applications: Open 01 November 2024 and close 28 November 2025

Please do NOT assume that you will be awarded a bursary just because you applied. Various criteria have to be met and budgets are limited. Apply in time and submit all the required supporting documents as requested. Incomplete applications will not be processed and will thus not be considered for awards.

Thinking you do NOT need financial help?

Many students think they will not need financial aid, as they have promises for financial support from family, friends or institutions who give bursaries. However, students then find that their home circumstances suddenly change, or their bursary promise or NSFAS funding fails to realise and they are then unable to pay for their studies. Students in final year are convinced they will graduate, but then fail to meet all the graduation requirements and need to register for another year. It is therefore VERY important to APPLY for financial aid on the University of Pretoria web page Financial Aid Process, as well as have a back-up financial plan in case this application is not successful.