The Student Representative Council (SRC) of Stellenbosch University (SU) has started an initiative to assist students accepted for studies at SU, but who do not have the means of paying the initial study fees.
The #RegisterALL fund relies on voluntary donations and the SRC calls on the Maties community and the public to contribute to this fund.
The fund and process will be managed and facilitated by the SU office for bursaries and loans.
SRC vice-chair, James de Villiers said the #RegisterALL initiative is a way for SU students to ensure that no student should be prevented from studying at SU due to financial limitations.
"The issue of unaffordable registration fees is not only applicable to SU, but to the country as a whole. With this initiative we say that we are willing to be part of the solution. Your contribution can make a difference and help us to register all," said James de Villiers, SRC Vice-chair.
The Management of Stellenbosch University supports the SRC's initiative to assist students with financial challenges to register.
"We are very excited about the initiative by our SRC to raise funds for students who have been accepted for studies at SU, but do not have proof of sufficient funds to register. We encourage all staff, alumni, students and members of the public in general to make a donation to this wonderfully supportive project of the SRC to make education accessible to all. The fund will be managed by the University's Bursaries and Loans Office," says Prof Arnold Schoolwinkel, Vice-Rector: Learning and Teaching.
Supporting the initiative will be above and beyond the financial support already given to students in financial need. In 2016 Stellenbosch University will pay out more than R650 million in bursaries to undergraduate and postgraduate students (merit bursaries included). This amounts to 55% of all the income from student fees paid out as bursaries.
Statement by the SRC is attached.
Donations can be made to the following bank account:
Standard Bank
Stellenbosch University
Account Number: 073 006 955
Branch code: 050610
Reference: RegisterALL - H494