Unfunded students will have to dig deeper into their pockets this year as most universities have hiked tuition and hostel fees by 5.1% and 7.1% respectively, in line with guidelines from the department of higher education & training.
However, the councils of Stellenbosch University and Unisa have raised tuition fees by 8% and 7.6% respectively. Stellenbosch has raised hostel fees by 8.9%.
Annual consumer price inflation was at 7.2% in December.
Most universities have stuck to the department’s recommended fee increase, though Wits University and the University of the Western Cape will both levy slightly lower increases of 5% and 7% for tuition and accommodation.
Stellenbosch University spokesperson Martin Viljoen said the university’s fees were still lower than those of some of its peers. “Stellenbosch University’s agenda of advancing quality education for all South African students requires a sustainably and competitively funded main budget.”
Stellenbosch University’s agenda of advancing quality education for all South African students requires a sustainably and competitively funded main budget
— Martin Viljoen, university spokesperson
He said one reason for the hike in accommodation fees was higher utility tariffs.
“Overall, the university’s various bursaries and loans have enabled it to give access to a much more diverse student population.”
Unisa spokesperson Martin Ramotshela said the university council considered all revenue streams as well as inflationary cost pressures “to deliver quality service to students and realise the Unisa strategy”.
“The council-approved 7.6% fee increase was extensively consulted and it is reasonable to deliver on the Unisa mandate.”
He said the department of higher education continued to make available a grant specifically targeted at “missing-middle” students. These are students whose annual family income is above R350,000 but less than R600,000.
University of Johannesburg spokesperson Herman Esterhuizen said the university was considering a 5.6% increase in tuition fees. “Fee increases are necessary to allow the university to fund its operations and to be financially sustainable.”
Elijah Moholola, spokesperson for the University of Cape Town, said UCT offered financial assistance to missing-middle students.
“Furthermore, the UCT sibling rebate bursary programme provides reduced tuition costs to undergraduate siblings who do not qualify for NSFAS [National Student Financial Aid Scheme] or gap funding.
“This is for students from families with a combined annual household income of between R600,000 and R750,000 per annum.”
North West University spokesperson Louis Jacobs said the university had a pilot funding programme this year that would assist nearly 80 honours students.
Normah Zondo at the University of KwaZulu-Natal said UKZN had launched a fundraising programme to help financially needy students to register for this year.
“The number of awards will depend on the amount raised. Students must have an aggregate of 55%.”
Durban University of Technology spokesperson Alan Khan said the institution provided an extended payment plan for students who owed it money.
University of the Western Cape spokesperson Gasant Abarder said: “Our fees are far lower than most other universities in the country.” UWC also had a fundraising campaign to help missing-middle students.
Wits spokesperson Buhle Zuma said the university last year disbursed more than R1.6bn to 26,161 students, including R927m in NSFAS funding to 10,071 students.
Vaal University of Technology spokesperson Tandi Mapukata said the institution could not afford to provide funding to missing-middle students.
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