Fees, Bursaries and Loans
Planning your finances is part of planning your success. This page explains how fees work at CUT, when payments are due, and where undergraduate and postgraduate students can find funding support.
Understanding Bursaries and Scholarships
A bursary is a form of financial assistance given to a student for further study or training. Bursaries may differ in amount and duration. Students are selected according to criteria set by donors, which could include academic merit and financial need. Some bursaries require students to sign a contract to enter the employment of the donor after graduation.
A scholarship amount is normally based on outstanding academic achievement. Scholarships do not normally require the recipient to repay the amount and usually have no employment conditions attached.
Tips: How to Apply for a Bursary or Scholarship
- Read the bursary brochure carefully to find opportunities that suit your needs.
- Check the closing dates for applications and adhere to them strictly.
- Apply directly to the person or company specified in the advertisement.
- Apply for more than one bursary and ensure you meet all requirements.
- Explore alternative ways of financing your studies in the event that a bursary application is unsuccessful.
Find Bursaries in South Africa (Portals)
Undergraduate Funding at CUT
CUT offers several specific bursary opportunities for first-year and continuing undergraduate students based on merit, leadership, and sport.
CUT Academic Merit Bursaries (First-Year): For candidates pursuing further studies for the first time after Grade 12, enrolled full-time for a diploma or degree. The amount is calculated based on the six highest symbols achieved in the final Grade 12 examination. Criteria and amounts are reviewed annually.
Academic Recruitment Bursaries: Additional to normal academic bursaries. First-year students who qualify are automatically considered.
- Category A: Each A symbol on HG = R1 000.00 | Each A symbol on SG = R600.00
- Category B: R1 000.00 awarded to a student who achieved an A symbol (HG or SG) and is enrolled in Engineering or Health and Environmental Sciences.
- Category C (Top-Ten): Awarded to the ten best first-year entrants. Requires a minimum of 42 points on the CUT scoring scale (based on six best subjects).
CUT Leadership Bursaries (First-Year): Requires at least 27 points on the CUT scoring scale. Qualifying roles include: Head boy/girl, Chairperson/Vice-chairperson of the learner representative council, Head boy/girl of a high-school hostel, Winner of a national subject Olympiad or expo, or Member of the "Presidentverkenners" or Springbok Scouts.
Sport Recruitment Bursaries: Awarded to promising sportsmen and sportswomen according to merit. Only awarded to individuals participating in a league sport in the name of CUT. Only achievements at the provincial level and higher are considered. Development bursaries are also available (max 3 candidates nominated by sports trainers/club managers). Note: Candidates must apply annually. Closing date is 31 October. Contact Operational Sport for application forms.
A merit bursary awarded by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to deserving Teacher Education students registered for specific BEd (FET) Specialisation programmes (e.g., Languages, Natural Sciences, Computer Science, Technology, Accounting, Economics, PGCE, BSc, BCom, BA, BTech).
Students are expected to apply online at the DHET website. The bursary is presently worth R48 000.00 per annum, subject to fund availability.
Postgraduate and External Funding Directory
While CUT provides guidance and verifies donor funding, many opportunities are managed by external entities. Below is a curated directory of legitimate funding sources mapped to CUT’s academic offerings, with a strong focus on postgraduate and research opportunities.
Note: Always verify application deadlines and eligibility criteria directly on the funder’s official website.
- Funza Lushaka Bursary: For students entering the teaching profession.
Visit Funza Lushaka → - ISFAP: Funds South African students in high-demand careers through bursaries and mentorship.
Visit ISFAP → - National Government Bursaries: Official portal for state bursaries and international scholarships.
Visit gov.za → - DHET SETA Directory: The single official link listing every Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA).
Visit DHET SETA Directory →
- merSETA: Engineering, manufacturing, and technology.
Visit merSETA → - MICT SETA: ICT and digital programmes.
Visit MICT SETA → - EWSETA: Energy and water sectors.
Visit EWSETA → - HWSETA: Health and social development.
Visit HWSETA → - Business-focused SETAs: FASSET, BANKSETA, INSETA, and SERVICES SETA (accessible via the DHET directory above).
- National Research Foundation (NRF): The primary national funder for Master's and Doctoral students.
Visit NRF → - Science Councils: CSIR, Water Research Commission (WRC), SAMRC (health sciences), and NIHSS (humanities/social sciences).
CSIR | WRC | SAMRC | NIHSS - Mandela Rhodes Scholarship: For Honours and Master's study (excluding MBA), covering tuition, accommodation, and allowances.
Visit Mandela Rhodes → - Rhodes Scholarship: A prestigious postgraduate opportunity to study at the University of Oxford.
Visit Rhodes House → - International Schemes: Chevening (UK), Commonwealth Scholarships, DAAD (Germany), and Erasmus+ (Europe).
- Fundi (formerly Eduloan): Flexible student loans for registration fees, tuition, and study essentials. Institutionally accepted.
Visit Fundi → - Major Bank Student Loans: Structured study loans are available directly through Standard Bank, Absa, FNB, and Nedbank.
- ZABursaries: Recognised as one of South Africa's largest bursary directories. An excellent single "explore more opportunities" resource.
Visit ZABursaries →
Study Loans and Financial Aid
Financial aid assists students with educational expenses and may include tuition and fees, accommodation, books, supplies, and transportation. Some aid must be repaid (loans), while some does not (grants, scholarships).
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
NSFAS is a public entity reporting to the DHET. It provides financial assistance in the form of study bursaries to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges.
Available on CUT's Student Portal: The transport allowance form and FundiSA App setup instructions.
Alternative Funding Platforms
Feenix Student Fundraising Platform: An online platform connecting students to their communities to fundraise towards outstanding debt. To qualify, students must be a SA citizen/permanent resident/refugee, have a combined annual household income under R600 000, and be a registered student or have historical debt.
Start your fundraising journey at Feenix →
Eduloan (Fundi): For more information on flexible study loans, visit the Eduloan website.
Visit Eduloan →
Fees Payable and Student Accounts
Application is free. There is no application or residence application fee.
Contact Student Accounts
Finance enquiries can be done via email. Select your faculty below to find the correct contact person for your campus.
Bloemfontein Campus:
tleisa@cut.ac.za and nmbobo@cut.ac.za
Welkom Campus:
mchere@cut.ac.za and mokoenaj@cut.ac.za
Bloemfontein Campus:
tsebatli@cut.ac.za and amoleme@cut.ac.za
Welkom Campus:
lmusa@cut.ac.za and odumbe@cut.ac.za
Bloemfontein Campus:
pkulan@cut.ac.za and litabem@cut.ac.za
Welkom Campus:
tkhiba@cut.ac.za
Bloemfontein Campus:
tankisomosala@cut.ac.za
