Bank Loans as a funding option
Financial institutions offer loans to students to pay for their studies. As a student, you may be required to service the loan and interest while you study, and then pay back the capital to the financial institution as is stipulated by the bank’s terms and conditions.
Collateral-backed study loan for financially burdened students
The SU collateral-backed study loan (a loan secured by Stellenbosch University) is an initiative developed by Stellenbosch University to address the financial challenges faced by NSFAS-funded students due to accommodation allowance shortfalls, as well as those students from the ‘missing middle’* household income group.
The application process provides a single platform to assist you with various funding options, for example, specialised loans tailored to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) study programmes – which do not require any collateral – and collateral-backed loans provided by the University in collaboration with the relevant bank or financial institution.
All current and prospective undergraduate students are eligible to apply. However, current NSFAS-funded students, or students who will apply for NSFAS-funding in the upcoming academic year, as well as current and prospective students who fall in the missing middle household income group are especially encouraged to submit an application.
The application form** is intuitive, easy to follow, and will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. You will need your unique, 8-digit SU number to proceed with the form and will be requested to upload support documents.
If you have any queries about the study loan application process, please email hello@studenthero.co.za or WhatsApp https://wa.me/27615853490. And remember to include your SU student number in all correspondence.
*a student from a home where the household income is between R350 000 and R600 000 per year; or if more than one student in the home is at a university, then between R600 000 and R1 million per year
**currently only available in English
Should a prospective or current undergraduate student be unsuccessful in obtaining a student bank loan, you may wish to consider crowdfunding with feenix – an online fundraising platform that was launched in June 2017 as a response to the #FeesMustFall movement that spread across university campuses in South Africa during 2015 and 2016. Feenix believes access to education should not be dependent on wealth. Standard Bank is a founding partner and feenix provide students with the tools to formalise their fundraising efforts and a channel for funders to find students they wish to support.
Student Hero
Be your future self soon, with Student Hero
Stellenbosch University has collaborated with Student Hero to assist students and their families to apply, qualify, and compare affordable student finance offers from major South African banks and alternate finance providers. It’s done form a single platform and at zero cost to the applicant.
Student Hero comprises a league of professionals, each a specialist in their field. This means the advice you receive is holistic, the solutions offered creative, and the value thereof unmatched.
For more information, visit the studenthero.co.za website or email hello@studenthero.co.za. Alternatively, to learn more and apply for affordable funding from Student Hero, WhatsApp https://wa.me/27615853490 or click on the ‘Apply Now’ button below.
Capitec
Capitec offers education term loans to students who want to complete undergraduate studies at Stellenbosch University.
The information below has been supplied by the service provider, Capitec. Please note that Stellenbosch University is not at all involved in the application, selection, nor administration of any Capitec education term loan.
Unlock your potential with Capitec Education Finance
Fund your future with an education term loan from Capitec Education Finance, You could get up to R500 000 at a discounted fixed interest rate and up to 84 months to pay.
See if you qualify and get a free estimate in 3 easy steps, or apply online today.
Why use Capitec Education Finance?
- Lower monthly payments to fit your budget
- Apply online or in-branch – the choice is yours
- We pay the educational institution directly so you don’t have to worry about it
How does it work?
- Get an estimate to see if you qualify and what you could get
- If you qualify, we’ll contact you to finalise your application
- Once your application is approved, we’ll pay the educational institution for you
- You repay the credit to us with a monthly debit order
How do I apply?
You can scan the QR code above, apply online and get a reply in 5 minutes, or email us at info@capiteceducationfinance.co.za
For more information, visit capiteceducationfinance.co.za or contact us at info@capiteceducationfinance.co.za.
Nedbank student loans
A flexible solution for full-time or part-time studies
- Our loans are suitable for both full-time and part-time students
- You can pay back your student loan while you study or once you have graduated
- You can also benefit from special interest rates that are linked to your academic performance
1. Student loan without surety
This student loan enables you to get funding without needing a parent or guardian to qualify.
Benefits
- this loan covers tuition, books and study equipment, accommodation, and existing historical debt
- affordable interest rates
- no repayments while you’re studying
How it works
- you need to be a Standard Bank customer. If you don’t have a bank account, you can apply online on the Standard Bank website.
- your gross household income must be less than R600 000 annually (less than R50 000 per month)
- you need to be a third-year student and upwards within science, technology, engineering, mathematics, commerce, or health sciences; or a fifth-year student and upwards within medicine
Apply online
Firstly, have the following documents ready
- South African ID
- Proof of residence, not older than three (3) months
- Proof of gross household income
- Proof of latest academic results
- Stellenbosch University registration letter
- If you require funding for books and study equipment, then proof of cost if it’s over R6 000
- If you require funding for accommodation, then your lease agreement reflecting the cost of accommodation
- Statement of University tuition or residence cost (if funding is required)
then APPLY HERE to complete your application.
2. Full time student loan
This student loan is for full-time students who need a surety to co-sign the student loan. Your surety can be a parent, guardian or anyone willing to co-sign.
Benefits
- this student loan enables you to study locally or abroad. We also fund Private Pilot’s License
- low interest rates
- no maximum tuition
How it works
- your surety needs to earn a minimum income of R3 000 per month
- your surety is responsible for servicing the interest and fees while you study, or if you default on your repayments
- you will be granted a grace period of six (6) months after completing your studies before taking over the loan repayments
Apply online
Firstly, have the following documentation ready
- Copy of ID (student and surety)
- Proof of residence, not only than three (3) months (student and surety)
- Three (3) months’ payslips (surety), and three (3) months’ bank statements if the surety does not bank with Standard Bank
- Proof of latest academic results
- Stellenbosch University registration letter
- Acceptance letter or proof of registration from Stellenbosch University
- Proof of costs for tuition, accommodation, and textbooks and/or equipment
then APPLY HERE to complete your application.
3. Part-time student loan
This student loan is ideal if you want to study part-time and are employed full-time.
Benefits
- you can insure your student loan in case of death, disability, or dread disease
- affordable interest rates
- no maximum tuition
How it works
- you need to earn a minimum monthly income of R5 000 to qualify
- you will be required to repay the loan while you study
Apply online
Firstly, have the following documentation ready
- Copy of Id
- Proof of residence, not older than three (3) months
- Three (3) months’ payslips, and three (3) months’ bank statements if you do not bank with Standard Bank
- Proof of latest academic results
- Stellenbosch University registration letter
- Acceptance letter or proof of registration from Stellenbosch University
- Proof of costs for tuition, accommodation, and textbooks and/or equipment
then APPLY HERE to complete your application.
Have any questions?
Read the Standard Bank student loan article to learn more about student loans and how they work.
For any technical issues whilst completing your 2024 SU Funding Opportunities application
Please email sufunding@studenthero.co.za with a screenshot or detailed description of the problem encountered.
For any general or document issues whilst completing your 2024 SU Funding Opportunities application
Please call 021 808 9111 or email info@sun.ac.za for assistance.
Stellenbosch Campus
Physical Address
Admin A Building, Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch 7600
Office hours
Monday to Friday 8:00 – 16:30
+27 21 808 9111
info@sun.ac.za
Tygerberg Campus
Physical Address
Clinical Building, Francie van Zijl Drive, Tygerberg 7505
Office hours
Monday to Friday 8:00 – 16:30
+27 21 938 9129 / 21 808 9111
tygbursaries@sun.ac.za
Centre for Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans (CUBL)
sunfinaid@sun.ac.za
All NSFAS and Funza Lushaka bursary assistance at SU, including FMHS NSFAS-funded students
nsfas@sun.ac.za
Only 2024 Funza Lushaka applications, modules, and placement queries, contact Mrs Jeannie Saffier
leendert@sun.ac.za
Email correspondence
Due to the high volume of emails received, all email correspondence must please include an SU student number, bursary name/ref, and a short descriptor in the subject line, for example: ‘12345678 / NSFAS – allowance payment query’. This will ensure your enquiry can be attended to promptly and efficiently.