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Student Fees

We are currently not accepting walk-ins at the Fees Office. All queries should be logged here. This document will take you through the steps to log your ticket.

  • Tuition fees are payable for each course for which a student is registered.
  • Charges ancillary to tuition fees, such as charges for course notes or for excursion costs are not included in the amounts listed. Club membership fees are also not listed. These additional amounts will be reflected on the student's fee account.
  • Other Costs: Students also need to budget for books, stationery and travel costs, as well as pocket money and sundry expenses.

Fees Booklet

2024 University Fees Book

Residence fees which form part of the University fees book are also available separately on the Campus Housing and Residence Life website.

 

Registration

First Fee payment

New and returning South African residents, SA permanent residence permit holders and refugee permit holders, are required to make the first payment of R9340 on their fees account prior to registration at the University.

Is the payment refundable?

The first fee payment is not refundable if you subsequently cancel your registration

Is everyone required to make the first payment? 

The following students do not have to pay the first fee payment:

1. NSFAS Students: Please ensure you have received confirmation from NSFAS that you have been awarded NSFAS funding, or check at www.nsfas.org.za to confirm. 

2. WITS Scholarship Recipients: If you have been awarded a scholarship, you do not have to pay the first fee payment. The University Entrance Scholarships are awarded on the basis of NSC matric results to current matric applicants. 

3. External Bursary Holders: If you are being funded by a donor or external bursary please ensure that you have contacted the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to make sure that your donor has made arrangements to pay your fees.

Students also have the option to postpone the first fee payment by logging into the Self-Service portal and clicking on the "First Fee Payment" tab. After completion of the necessary information, the first fee payment will be waived and the student may proceed with online registration.

Please note, 100% of the total tuition fee must be paid on or before the last working day in March.

Re-registration with historical debt

1. Students with debt less than R10 000

A student who owes more than R10 000 will only be allowed to register for the 2024 academic year under the following conditions:

  • A student who has a total household income below the Household Income Cap of R600 000, must pay 50% of the outstanding debt;
  • The student must sign an online Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD) arrangement with the University for the duration of the current academic year towards the total outstanding debt;
  • Proof of household income, consent of income verification and motivation for assistance is required
  • A student who owes more than the Re-registration limit and does not fall in the household income category of below the Household Income Cap, will be required to settle the outstanding debt in order to register for the new/current academic year

A student who owes more than R10 000 and does not fall in the category above, will be required to settle the outstanding debt in order to register for the 2024 academic year.

Amounts to be paid

  • Tuition fees are payable for each course for which a student is registered.
  • Charges ancillary to tuition fees, such as charges for course notes or excursion costs, may be included in the account for fees. In the latter case the ancillary charge, while given as a separate entry under the tuition fee, should be included in the calculation of the total amount payable.

Accessing your fee account and full payment of fees

  • Once you have registered, a fees account is generated on self-service
  • The University may alter the payment schedules in keeping with normal accounting practices. Applicants should know, however, that at present fees are due as follows 
  • 100% of the total tuition fee must be paid on or before the last working day in March.
  • Provision is made for the monthly payment of fees - interest is charged on the balance owing.
  • International students who are offered a place must pay 75% of their fees in full before registration, and the remaining 25% by no later than the 31st of March.
  • Occasional students and online course students: Must pay the full fee upfront at registration.
How to pay

Methods of payment

  • Payment should be made in full before the due date(s).
  • Student number is to be used as a reference when making payment for student fees.
  • Payments are to be made into the designated University bank account for student fees as communicated by the Student Fees Office.
  • Payment may be made at the Cashier’s Office, Ground Floor, Solomon Mahlangu House (hours are 08:00 to 15:30).
  • Payments may be made online through the University’s designated student self-service portal.

Bank Account Details:

Bank: First National Bank
Account Number: 622 7055 1015
Branch Code: 210 554
Branch: Braamfontein
SWIFT Code: FIRNZAJJ (International students only)
Reference: Student number (ONLY) Please do not use another reference

  • The payments made directly in the respective banks will reflect the same day on the student account.
  • Payments made from other banks will reflect within 2 working days on the student fee account.
  • Credit and debit card payments with a CVV number can be made through the self-service portal using Master/Visa cards only. For this option visit https://self-service.wits.ac.za/

DownloadHow to Pay

Do you need help?

Contact us on Tel: 27 (11) 717 1888 or Fax: 27 (11) 717 4918
or Email: FeesOffice.Finance@wits.ac.za

Payment

Failure to pay fees

The University is not a profit-making institution and views the non-payment of fees in a serious light.

In terms of the University’s fiduciary duties, it is responsible for the collection of all monies owed to it. If fees are not paid, the University may take the following steps:

  • A student may be required to leave the residence if his/her University accommodation fees are not paid.
  • A student will not be allowed to re-register in any faculty until all fees and other monies due to the University, have been paid.
  • A final-year student will not be permitted to graduate.
  • A student’s access to the University or libraries may be denied if s/he does not settle his/her fees or make suitable arrangements with the Fees Office to settle fees.

Any fees not paid will lead to the matter being handed over to the university’s debt collectors for collection.

Interest charges

Self-funded

Student Fees Finance Interest at the rate of prime plus one percent (+1%) will be levied monthly on all outstanding balances as at the last day of each month commencing on 01 May of the academic year. 

Sponsored

Interest at the rate of prime plus one percent (+1%) will be levied monthly on all outstanding balances as at the last day of each month commencing on 01 July of the academic year.

Interest-free payment plan

  • A student who is not able to pay the full amount by the due date may enter into a payment plan agreement by signing an Acknowledgment of Debt (AOD) with the Fees office allowing them to pay off their fees over the remainder of the year.
  • Students who meet the obligations of the payment plan are not charged interest.
  • The interest free payment arrangement would be applicable to the following students only: A student who has a total household income below the Household Income Cap.
  • Students need to apply for the AOD before the payment due date for interest not to be charged.
  • The following documents are required for the evaluation for eligibility and approval of the AOD: 
    • Proof of household income,
    • Consent of Income verification and
    • Motivation for assistance is required.
  • All AOD’s need to be signed before 30 April, for outstanding fees.
  • Second semester students will have until 31 August to sign their AOD
Graduation

Self-funded students

  • Should a student have paid, but the payment is not reflecting in the student’s fee account, the student must immediately contact the Fees Office and provide proof of payment to assist with the allocation of funds. Should this happen with less than three (3) weeks to the graduation
    ceremony, the student will be accommodated in the following cohort of graduation ceremonies.
  • A student who owes less than R15 000, and has a total household income of less than R600 000, may sign an acknowledgement of debt (AOD) and be permitted to graduate. The AOD must be signed no later than three weeks before the graduation ceremony.
  • Proof of household income and motivation for Graduation AOD assistance will be required.

Sponsored students

  • Students who receive funding or financial aid will be eligible to graduate if all fees are paid in full prior to the graduation cut-off date for the graduation program. These dates are provided by the Examinations and Graduation Office  (EGO) annually.
  • Should a sponsor have paid, but the payment is not reflecting in the student’s fee account, the student must immediately contact the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (FASO) and provide proof of payment to assist with the allocation of funds. Should this happen with less than three (3) weeks to the graduation ceremony, the student will be accommodated in the following cohort of graduation ceremonies.
  • Where NSFAS has not paid a student’s fees, but there's a written confirmation that the student is legitimately funded by NSFAS, the student may choose to sign an AOD within the time frame of no later than three (3) weeks to the graduation ceremony and will then be allowed to graduate. Alternatively, if the student does not sign an AOD then participation in the graduation ceremony will be withheld. 
Debt Relief Forms
Apply for Own Credit

Own Credit (Refund) Application

Students may apply for credits that are on their Fee account due to overpayment, deregistration or subsequent bursary payment resulting in a credit balance on the student fee account.

The following rules will apply:

  1. The refund will only be for own monies paid. Students will need to upload Proof of payment, ID and letter were applicable on the Wits self-service portal. (https://self-service.wits.ac.za)
  2. If the student has paid together with a Sponsor, a letter will be required from the Sponsor for the excess funds to be refunded to the student.
  3. International Students can also request credit on their account. This is a manual process. The following documents will be required:
  • Proof of payment
  • ID
  • Banking Details All credits will be refunded into the bank account which it was initially deducted. It cannot be refunded to a local bank account.

How to apply for Credit

First, you will need to add your banking details to the system:

  • Login to self-service
  • Click on the “My Bank Account” tile
  • Click on the “Add / Update Account” tab
  • Follow the instructions

Secondly, Claim your Credit on your student fee account: 

  • Login to self-service
  • Select the “Apply for Own Credit” tile
  • Select  “Begin New Application" or "Continue Existing Application
  • Follow the instructions

Should you have any queries, please contact the call centrer +27(0)11 717 1888 or email: Wits ICT Helpdesk ITStudentHelp@wits.ac.za 

NB:
Any incomplete fields or incorrect documentation supplied by you will result in delays in processing your application.

Student Loans

Most major banking institutions offer student loans at attractive interest rates. Interest rates may decrease for consecutive years of study. Normally bank loans cover the duration of study and are repaid once you start working or once you have graduated.

Some banks offer a grace period to students who are completing internships, articles or community service. In most instances, you are required to repay the interest while still studying.

Sometimes surety/security is required, which means that a relative, friend or sponsor must guarantee to repay the loan if you fail to do so.

Loan Providers

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