Information on student fees, registration 2017 and the implementation of the state-funded DHET 8% gap-funding was sent to students by the Registrar, Dr Ronel Retief, on Thursday 15 December 2016. This was followed up by an email on 5 January 2017 regarding the DHET gap-funding grant.
15 December 2016
Dear Stellenbosch Student
I trust that you are enjoying a
well-deserved break over the holidays.
Over the past few months the University has been involved in discussions with
the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and other stakeholders
in the higher education sector on various issues related to registration 2017
and student fees.
Coming to the fore now, is the implementation of the
state-funded DHET 8% gap-funding grant for students from families with a
combined household income of up to R600 000 per annum. Due to the DHET
gap-funding grant and SU accommodation bursaries, these students will not be
subject to any increase in tuition and accommodation fees in 2017. If you fall
in this category you will pay exactly the same tuition and accommodation fees
next year (2017) as in 2015 and 2016.
From the University’s side we will try and provide as much information as we
have at our disposal. What has been confirmed by the DHET is that 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% DHET gap-funding grant, whereas students from families with
a gross income of up to R600 000 per annum – the so-called missing middle – and
who fall outside of these two groupings, will need to apply for the gap-funding
grant early next year. 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.
With regard to the first instalment payable at registration, I would like to
remind you that you can apply for a delayed payment, which means that you pay
the first instalment over three months (January, February and March). With regard
to outstanding debt, students who receive a bursary for 2017 which covers at
least the outstanding debt as well as the first instalment for 2017, will also
be allowed to register.
More information on the application process for gap funding will
be made available early in January 2017. For your convenience a dedicated
e-mail address has been created for enquiries: gapfunding@sun.ac.za. This email
address will be activated early in January 2017.
We are acutely aware of the financial pressures under which South African
households have to provide for student fees. We therefore continue to strive to
assist, as far as possible, financially needy students who are academically
deserving. Please familiarise yourself with the various categories and forms of
financial assistance available.
The following links provide access to general information on registration and
student fees:
Finally, please remember to make use of the option to register online, that
will be available from 13 January 2017 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
(see registration notice at the link provided above for detail).
A dedicated website is currently being created to enable students and parents
easy access to all the relevant information on registration. More
information will follow early in January 2017.
We look forward to welcoming you back in 2017.
Kind regards
Ronel RetiefRegistrar designate
5 January 2017
Dear Stellenbosch Student
Further to my email of 15 December 2016, please find information on the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) gap-funding grant, as well as the application form with instructions, as provided by the DHET.
Completed application forms with supporting documents may be sent to gapfunding@sun.ac.za or, alternatively, submitted in hard-copy format to the Centre for Bursaries and Loans, Admin A for processing.
Kind regards
Ronel Retief
Registrar
Click here for additional information such as registration options and schedules