12 February 2021
Photo Chris Liebenberg, senior director: Finance
![]()
The University of the Free State (UFS) is well aware of the impact that COVID-19 has on the economy and the livelihoods of everyone. We expect that some categories of students will find it difficult to honour their outstanding debt. In light of the challenges,
the university’s executive committee has approved the following as an extraordinary consideration for registration in 2021:
1. STUDENTS WHO ARE FUNDED BY NSFAS FOR 2021, BUT HAVE OUTSTANDING DEBT FOR PREVIOUS YEARS
All students in this category will be allowed to register without any payment. The outstanding debt from previous years will still remain in the student account.
2. CURRENT PROVISIONAL REGISTRATION ARRANGEMENTS
All South African students who do not receive NSFAS funding will be allowed to register provisionally with a debt threshold of R15 000. Through our appeals system for students who are registered provisionally, the university would be able to allow deserving
students to continue if they are unable to honour their debt by the due date set for provisional registration.
3. FINAL-YEAR NON-NSFAS STUDENTS WHO OWE MORE THAN R15 000
The challenge we had in previous years was to determine if a student is indeed a final-year student. Students may apply for consideration to be allowed to register provisionally. In consultation with Student Academic Services, we will verify whether the
student is a final-year student or not, and then determine what levels of debt we could allow.
4. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
The UFS has very little recourse to recover unpaid fees from international students, especially when they return home. For study visa purposes, students would also need to show that they meet the financial requirements of the Department of Home Affairs.
Students will be required to engage our Student Finance Division and International Office for assistance and recommendation to the Senior Director: Finance for consideration and approval.
For assistance with the above, you may contact Student Finance at:
Email:
Bloemfontein Campus:
Student Finance Call Centre: +27 51 401 3003/2806
Undergraduate and honours students: +27 51 401 9670/2817/9912/7242/3643/7050/2065
Postgraduate students (master’s and doctoral degrees): +27 51 401 9090
Qwaqwa Campus:
Client Services: +27 58 718 5024/5262/5295
South Campus:
Client Services: +27 51 505 1487