University students from financially strained backgrounds, including one self-funded student from Wits University, owing R97,000, are calling on the government to intervene with higher education institutions to assist students drowning in debt.
As the 2025 academic approaches, thousands of students from different institutions across the country face financial exclusion due to unpaid debts, leaving them stranded.
Financial exclusion has become a widespread issue, often forcing students to plead with the institutions to lift their financial blocks, especially those who are self- funded or supported by the National Student Financial Aid Student Scheme (NSFAS).
This situation has become a norm, often resulting in students camping outside the university campus with their luggages, some without food, hoping for assistance.
While many students eagerly anticipate the start of the academic year, for many, it is a painful reminder of their financial struggles.
At Wits University, students expressed frustration that the institution fails to support those caught in the financial gap between full governance funding and self-funding.
One of them was a self-funded prospective final year BCom Law student Ntyatyambo Volsaka, a 21-year-old, owes the university R97,000 and is struggling to register for his final year.
“I am unable to register because of my debt,” Volsaka told IOL News.
“To do so, I have to pay at least 50% of the debt, which is about R45,000, and I cannot afford that.”
Volsaka said he was previously funded by NSAFS, but was defunded after failing.
He described his situation as dire.
“I am the first person in my family to go to university, especially a prestigious university like Wits,” he said.
”My family is looking up to me to finish my degree and be able to provide for them because the situation is very bad at home.”
He added he has five siblings to support, as both his parents are financially struggling.
Volsaka has sought assistance from the Wits Student Representative Council (SRC) and financial aid office, where he applied for a hardship fund, but has not yet received a response.
The hardship fund designated to assist financially needy students with an outstanding balance from the previous year with up to 50% of the balance outstanding, with a maximum of R50,000.
He urged the government to assist the universities with financial assistance to students like him, criticising Wits University for spending money on building renovations while students struggle financially.
“The university has been fundraising money to renovate buildings, but they are not assisting students with financial aid…,” he claimed.
“They can assist us because they are getting donations from sponsors, but it’s only for rebuilding and renovations.”
Another self-funded student, Ndivhuwo Mandane, who was studying for BCom Honours last year, is also facing financial challenges, owing R30,000.
Mandane, whose parents are both unemployed, said his financial aid is insufficient to cover his accommodation costs.
“My financial situation is severe, because my parents are not working, and I can't pay the amount that I owe.”
Mandane was funded by the National Research Council (NRC), which covers tuition fees, living expenses, and other costs, but the accommodation fees left him with a debt of R30,000.
He, to, has applied for the hardship financial fund at the university to settle his debt.
“I am hoping that my application will be granted and my debt will be cleared, because without that I wouldn't be able to graduate, get my certificate and seek employment,” Mandane said.
Wits University received 86,000 applicants for the 2025 academic year but has spaces for only 6,000 students.
Additionally, 337,158 learners from the Matric Class of 2024 qualified for bachelor studies, but many will not be admitted at higher institutions due to limited spaces.
In response to the hardships raised by the students, Wits SRC president, Nombulelo Chiya, acknowledged the widespread issue of financial exclusion at the university.
“Students who cannot be able to register within the institution because of their economic status and financial background, are facing a huge challenge,” Chiya told IOL News.
”They are expected to settle their outstanding debt even though they don't have the entire amount.”
@iolnews Wits SRC President, Nombulelo Chiya, highlights the widespread issue of financial exclusion at Wits University, urging the government and public sector to step in and help tackle the challenge. Video: Supplied #studentsurvival2025 #southafrica #fyp ♬ original sound - IOL NEWS
Chiya also pointed out delays to the NSFAS list, which has affected students who were previously defunded and are now unable to register.
”We are currently talking with the university leadership about concessions like allowing students who are owing R120,000 and less to be able to register, under the conditions that they sign a sponsorship of the acknowledgement of debt (AOD) if they were funded by NSFAS.”.
The SRC has recently launched the Kobo Ya Thuto Legacy Fund, which is a fundraising campaign aimed at raising R15 million, matched the university's contribution amounting to 30 million, to address financial exclusion.
Chiya said the campaign is not just a fundraising effort but a call to action for students in financial need.
“We need the assistance from the public and the private sector, to help students.”
“Even donations as little as R100 which can be doubled by the institution amounting to R200, would make a big difference in the fight against financial exclusion,” Chiya added.
Wits University spokesperson Tiisang Monatisa, confirmed that the University can accommodate approximately 6,000 undergraduate studies and has 5 762 beds under its management.
“The university understands the ongoing challenge with accommodation around our campuses and we are working with external accredited accommodation providers who currently have approximately 24,512 available beds for students,” she said.
Asked if steps are being taken by the university to ensure that NSFAS-funded students receive their allowances on time, Monatisa refused to comment.
However, in response to the issue of financial exclusion and financial aid, said that the Wits University has a hardship fund aimed at assisting students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“The Wits hardship fund assists students in need to register and to secure emergency accommodation, with up to R50 000 per qualifying student,” she said.
She said the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (FASO) also provides information, services and advice to students facing financial pressures, including guidance on bursaries and scholarship opportunities.
“In 2024, the university disbursed over R1 billion in financial aid, scholarships and bursaries, benefiting 25,000 students and is likely to do the same this year.”
“This includes R140 million from its Council Budget,” she said.
Monatisa said the university had implemented a 0% increase in residence fees for this year, except for aside one residence.
Regarding students safety, she said the university prioritises the safety and security of students, especially with the incidents of protests, shootings, and crime in the City.
“The Campus Protection Services has 24/7 CCTV surveillance coverage across all our campuses as well as mobile vehicle patrols onsite.”
“Students also have access to a 24-hour escort service on campus, especially for those working late in libraries or computer labs.”
She added that the university offers the Wits mySOS application, a free tool that helps the Wits community to prepare for any emergency on campus.
“Once the App has been downloaded, a single click of a button and an emergency call will be prompted to the Campus Protection Services,” Monatisa said.
IOL News