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Financial Aid and Scholarships Administration

The Financial Aid & Scholarships Office (FASO) administers funds on behalf of the University, donors and sponsors. The office also provides information and advice on student funding.

Students, please note:

FASO and the Fees Office use a query logging system called ISM. This is to improve turnaround times and to track queries efficiently. Log your queries on ISM using the following link: https://witshelp-ism.saasiteu.com. This document will take you through the steps to log your ticket.

The FEES and FASO offices will no longer respond to student queries via email.

Scholarships and Bursaries
WITS Registration Assistance Fund

Wits University offers financial assistance towards registration for students facing socio-economic challenges during registration and accommodation.

This is not a bursary; it is only to assist with registration.

Funds are limited, and funding is not guaranteed. Students are encouraged to seek alternative funding.

Application Dates

  • Wits Registration Assistance Fund (WRAF) Applications: 9 December 2025 – 19 January 2026
  • Special Consideration (WRAF): 20 January – 27 January 2026 (for students with an average below 50% but not less than 48%)
  • Wits Transitional Accommodation: 9 December 2025 – 27 January 2026

Eligibility Criteria

  • Household income less than R600,000 per annum
  • Returning students with prior-year average ≥ 50%
  • Accommodation in Wits-accredited on- or off-campus residence
  • Priority given to degree courses over non-degree courses

Exclusions

  • Students eligible for DHET Government Bursary (NSFAS, FUNZA, COID, DMV, etc.)
  • Students registered for non-degree courses (Diplomas, Certificates)
  • Part-time students
  • Students who received WITS Registration Assistance in the previous academic year
  • Students who registered in the previous academic year for programmes at Wits School of Governance and Wits Business School.

How to Apply

  1. Log in to the student self-service portal
  2. Click on the 'WITS Registration Assistance Application' tile
  3. Select 'Begin New Application' from the drop-down list
  4. Select 'Level of Study'
  5. Select 'Application Type'
  6. Read and understand all Terms and Conditions before proceeding

Required Documents

  • Proof of gross combined household income (salary advice or other proof; no affidavit)
  • Copy of parents or guardian identity documents
  • Consent form to verify household income

Wits Transitional Accommodation

  • Detailed affidavit outlining efforts to secure funding and circumstances
  • Proof of gross household income (salary advice; no affidavit)
  • Interview may be required to assess circumstances
  • Accommodation will be shared and temporary at Wits-accredited accommodation service providers
  • Students who secure funding must vacate transitional accommodation

Forms

 

External Sponsors

We administer funds on behalf of external sponsors by providing the following services:

  • Allocate funds to the student fee account.
  • Process allowances permitted by the sponsors. 
  • Provide results and fee statements to the sponsors on behalf of the students in line with the POPI Act.

 

Important reminders to students

  • Make enquiries early in the year to identify potential sponsors.
  • Apply to as many sponsors as possible to increase your chances to receive funding
  • Check closing dates - many sponsors will not accept late applications.
  • If you are unable to obtain financial aid, you are advised to postpone plans to attend university until you have sufficient funds.
  • You must apply directly to outside organisations for full particulars and application forms for bursaries, scholarships and loans offered by outside organisations, which have no contract commitments. 
  • You can -search online for potential sponsors, request advice from our Student Liaison officers or check this web page for any advertised bursary opportunities.

Some of the External Sponsors administered by our office which students can contact are SASOL Bursaries, Eskom Bursary, Vodacom Bursary; governmental bursaries and scholarships, both national and provincial.

  • N.B. Wits does not have the application forms for the awards listed above.

 

Submit your sponsorship letter to Wits

Did you know you can submit your sponsorship letter online? Follow the steps outlined here.

For more information, contact the Student Finance call centre:
011 717-1566/69/7579/1582/7181

Discretionary funding

Students needing financial assistance for Undergraduate and Postgraduate studies at Wits can apply for the Donation Discretionary Fund via student self-service. 

Your application will be added to a database that will be used to find students that match donor criteria if, and when, we receive donor funding. This application does not guarantee you funding for the current academic year.

Please read and complete this document Discretionary Funding Ts & Cs and Consent

The application can be accessed on the student self-service portal. 

The Student Self-Service How to Guide will walk you through the steps of how to access self-service for Financial Assistance.

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

Postgraduate Funding Portal

The University offers various scholarships, bursaries, and other funding opportunities for its postgraduate students from both internal and external sources. This is a live database of all these opportunities that is regularly updated.

Funding Portal

Cybercrime

  • Given the rise in cybercrime, and before making any payment to the University, verify that the account into which payment is to be made is a legitimate bank account of the University, as published in the Fee Booklet or on the Fee Statement. The University will not communicate any change in bank details to students by way of email, bank confirmation letters or other electronic communication. Please check that the University’s bank details are accurate before making payment. It is your duty as the Payee to check that the University’s bank details are accurate before making payment.

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