Recipe for #FeesMustFall

WORRIES: STUDENTS CONCERNED ABOUT INCREASES AS UNIVERSITIES OPEN Tuition rises by 5.1%, accommodation by 7.1% for this academic year.

Most of South Africa’s major universities are open for registration next week, with students concerned about increases in tuition, registration and accommodation fees.

With tuition and accommodation fees rising by 5.1% and 7.1%, respectively, education is becoming harder to afford.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for registration at some of the country’s universities:

University of Johannesburg

UJ has increased its registration fee from R3 870 in 2023 to R5 560 and from R6 470 to R9 270 for residence.

University of the Witwatersrand

The registration fee at Wits University remains at R9 340 this year and R10 000 for the residence.

University of KwaZuluNatal

UKZN has increased its fee from R4 350 to R4 600 and from R3 380 to R3 600 for residence.

University of Pretoria

Registration at UP increased from R7 500 last year to R10 000 in 2024.

North-West University

NWU increased its registration fee from R11 280 last year to R11 810 this year and from R21 070 to R21 870 for the residence.

University of Free State

UFS does not have a registration fee. Instead, students pay first payments towards tuition from R15 770 to R16 700 and R8 360 to R8 770 for residence and nonresidence students, respectively.

University of Cape Town

Like UFS, UCT does not have a registration fee. The initial cost for tuition and residence, respectively, remains at R31 000 and R39 000.

These increases follow guidelines set by the department of higher education and training and will result in increased financial burden for students and their families.

Issues with the National Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas) have left some students needing to pay for their own registration, while waiting on the scheme.

Last year the Nsfas announced a cap of R45 000 on accommodation fees. “Nsfas introduced this cap to manage the unjustified exorbitant costs of accommodation, which seem to be based on price collusion,” said the scheme.

However, 11 of 26 universities were negatively affected by this cap, leaving some students without accommodation.

“The difference between the actual amount and the capped amount will lead to outstanding amounts on student accounts, which may not be recovered,” UP said.

Furthermore, Nsfas is cutting 10% of student beneficiaries, amounting to about 87 000 students with financial help.

This decrease in financial aid will limit access to education for needy students and could also lead to another #FeesMustFall movement.