National Students Representative Council Statement

The National Students Representative Council (NSRC) has noted the concerns raised by students and has accordingly presented these matters to University Management.

Following the recent engagement between University Management and the NSRC, we wish to communicate the resolutions reached in respect to the matters raised.

1. Students awaiting outstanding results

Students who are unable to complete their registration because they are still awaiting the release or finalisation of results will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The University will ensure that no student is unfairly disadvantaged where the delay is attributable to an outstanding institutional academic or administrative process.

Affected students should retain all relevant correspondence and supporting information to enable the University to assess and resolve each case appropriately.

2. Minimum registration payment

All self-funded students are required to pay the prescribed minimum registration amount before their registration can be finalised.

This requirement is necessary to confirm the student’s commitment to registration and to ensure that the University can process registrations in line with its approved financial and administrative controls.

Students are encouraged to make the required payment as early as possible to avoid delays in the activation of their registration and access to academic services.

3. Acknowledgement of Debt arrangements

Students who previously entered into an Acknowledgement of Debt arrangement but did not honour the agreed repayment terms cannot automatically be granted an additional Acknowledgement of Debt.

Any request for further accommodation will therefore be considered individually, taking into account:

• the student’s previous payment history;
• the outstanding balance;
• the student’s current financial circumstances;
• whether previous arrangements were honoured;
• and the risk of further financial loss to the University.

4. Extension of the registration payment deadline

The registration payment deadline is 31 July 2026.

Such a payment deadline forms part of Unisa's normal registration-management practices and is intended to:

• allow sufficient time for all eligible registrations to be processed before the commencement of the new academic term;
• accommodate students whose payments or funding arrangements are still being finalised;
• allow payments to align with students securing the necessary funds;
• and reduce the risk that eligible students are excluded because of administrative or payment-processing delays.

Students are nevertheless encouraged not to wait until the final day to make payment or submit outstanding documentation.

5. NSFAS allowances and second-semester funding

The University communicates with NSFAS daily regarding student allowances, funding confirmations and second-semester registration matters.

Finance and the relevant student funding units will categorise affected NSFAS students to ensure that each case is managed according to its funding status.

The following arrangements will apply:

5.1 Students who received funding confirmation after the first semester

Students who were issued with a valid NSFAS funding confirmation after the conclusion of the first semester may be considered for accommodation, subject to verification of the funding decision and the student’s academic and registration status.

5.2 Students awaiting second-semester funding confirmation

Students who applied for second-semester funding but have not yet received a confirmed funding decision from NSFAS cannot be registered solely on the basis that an application is pending.

Unisa must receive formal funding confirmation from NSFAS before the University can process the registration as NSFAS-funded.

This is necessary to prevent students from incurring debt where funding has not yet been approved.

5.3 Allowance payments

The University will continue to engage NSFAS daily regarding outstanding allowance payments and will process payments once the required funding information and funds have been received and verified.

Students are requested to ensure that their banking and personal information is correct to prevent avoidable payment delays

6. Students who need to add modules

Students who are already registered and need to add modules will be accommodated, provided that:

• the additional modules form part of the student’s approved qualification;
• the student meets all applicable admission, prerequisite and progression requirements;
• the registration does not exceed the permitted number of modules or credits;
• the relevant tuition fees or funding are available;
• and the request is submitted within the approved registration period.

Requests involving outstanding results, prerequisite modules or funding confirmation will be assessed individually to ensure that students are not unfairly disadvantaged.

7. Student responsibility

Students are encouraged to:

• monitor their myLife email accounts regularly;
• respond promptly to requests for supporting information;
• confirm that their personal and banking information is correct;
• make the required minimum registration payment where applicable;
• ensure that all NSFAS applications and supporting documents have been submitted;
• adhere to previous payment arrangements; and use official Unisa communication channels for assistance.

The National Students Representative Council (NSRC) remains committed to resolving legitimate student matters as efficiently and fairly as possible while protecting students from unnecessary academic and financial risk.

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