How Wits assists students financially
- Wits University
The University has made every effort to assist academically talented students to register as far as our resources allow.
We remain committed to working with the SRC to raise as much funds as we can for academically talented students who meet the various criteria.
We have assisted students in several ways:
1.? ?95% of students are registered
Wits University is collaborating with student leaders to maximise 2025 academic year registrations. Wits has successfully registered 95% of its student body for the academic year.
This includes about:
- 25,200 undergraduates,
- 12,098 postgraduate students. *Postgraduate intakes continue throughout the year.
- Bringing the total number of registered students to 37,295.
The University’s full capacity is approximately 38,000 students.
2.? ?R1.8 billion in financial aid
Funding remains a challenge, but significant progress has been made. In 2024, Wits administered approximately R1.8 billion in financial aid, bursaries, and scholarships.
- Breakdown of 8 billion funding includes:
- NSFAS funding,
- 沙巴体育官网_2024欧洲杯博彩app@ R180 million from the University Council’s Funds for student scholarships,
- 沙巴体育官网_2024欧洲杯博彩app@ R28 million hardship fund for registration and emergency accommodation.
In 2024 alone, this funding helped 26,099 students to access higher education.
Students can upload their details to the Discretionary Funding Portal, which matches students (especially the "missing middle") with donors.
3.? ?R63 million in Debt Relief for 796 students
Through partnerships with donors, Wits managed to clear the historic debt of 796 students this year, amounting to a total of R63 million.
4.? ?R28 million for the Wits Hardship Fund
The Wits Hardship Fund has allocated around R28 million to assist students with registration fees and emergency accommodation, ensuring that financial difficulties do not prevent students from continuing their studies. Each qualifying student can receive up to R50 000.
5.? ?R8 million donation for postgraduates
This week, a donor contributed R8 million, specifically allocated to assist postgraduate students with a 75%+ average, many of whom were defunded by the NRF.
6.? ?Wits matched SRC’s R2.5 million fundraising efforts
In the past week, the Wits SRC raised R2.5 million to support struggling students. Wits matched this amount, effectively doubling the funds available to assist those in need.
Wits is doing everything possible within its means to support students. However, the University cannot erase all historic student debt or fund every student’s education without risking bankruptcy or insolvency.
The issue of free education and student debt clearance requires a national-level solution, involving government, the public sector, and private donors.
Student funding is an ongoing national challenge and requires broader national discussions and solutions.