PAYING FOR YOUR STUDIES

How you will finance your studies is also a very important thing to think about when making your career choice. There are different ways of doing this:

Loans – Most funding is in the form of a loan and loans need to be paid back to the institution you are borrowing from.

Busaries – These are grants or monetary aid given to needy students or students who show good potential. These dont need to be paid back but you may need to work for the company who gave you the bursary for a few years. The Bursary Register is a booklet published every year that lists available bursaries.

A copy is usually available at the institution or on their financial aid web pages. A copy is also available at our office.

How can you find out more about loans and bursaries?

• • Tertiary education institutions, except private colleges, have Financial Aid Offices that assist students with finance (see pages 242 to 253 for contact details).
• • Web: www.nsfas.org.za. A National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) study loan or bursary is for students who do not have the financial means to fund their studies. NSFAS loans and bursaries are for studies at public universities and TVET colleges and dont require parents or guardians to give surety. Tel: 0860 067 327; email: info@nsfas.org.za; postal address: Private Bag X1, Plumstead, 7801, South Africa.
• • www.hcifoundation.co.za. HCIs bursary programme provides financial assistance to academically deserving and financially needy students in any field of study, for a first, full-time qualification at a university or university of technology registered with the Department of Education.
• • www.pacecareers.com. Pace Careers website includes, among other useful information, a list of available bursaries: www.gostudy.net/bursaries

Distance learning or part-time study options can be cheaper and allow you to earn while you learn. Some of these study options are listed in pink in this booklet, but most require you to apply directly to the institution.

Contact the relevant tertiary institution for approximate costs and then fill in the following "study budget calculator" to decide whether you can afford your course of study.