Stellenbosch University (SU) recently announced a bursary programme for students with outstanding debt.
This is according to Martin Viljoen, spokesperson of SU. The SU Registration Bursary Programme 2021 aims to assist students in registering for university in 2021 by providing funding towards their outstanding debt, said Viljoen.
“Just over R27 million was allocated by SU Management towards the programme,” said Viljoen in email correspondence with MatieMedia. In total, 549 students were identified for assistance from this allocation, according to Viljoen.
“The once-off allocation was made to assist students with funding towards their outstanding debt, specifically aimed at assisting students to register in order for them to continue with their respective academic programme(s) for 2021,” said Viljoen.
In total, 549 students were identified for assistance from this allocation, which totaled to over 27 million rand. PHOTO: Erin Walls
The funding was administered by the SU Student Debt Task Team in collaboration with the SU Bursaries and Loans office and the SU Student Representative Council (SRC), according to Viljoen.
Unrest among universities regarding financial exclusion
Universities across South Africa experienced unrest in early 2021 when many students protested financial exclusion, according to Eduard Zehrt, secretary general of the SU SRC.
“The pandemic has presented immense challenges for many people,” said Zehrt. “SU was not exempt from unrest,” he continued.
Zehrt claimed that the problem was rooted in the fact that some students could not register for university due to outstanding debt, as “almost all South African universities block students with student debt from registering to ensure the institution’s financial sustainability”.
The SU rectorate recognised the urgency of some students’ financial difficulties and used this urgency to secure additional funding to settle the debt of those students, according to Zehrt.
“I can say it was a massive victory and that we are glad that we could be part of assisting in this initiative,” said Kira Alberts, vice-chairperson of the SRC.
The bursary allows for students with outstanding debt to continue their 2021 academic year. PHOTO: Erin Walls
The funding programme is a once-off arrangement, according to both Viljoen and Zehrt.
“This is a once-off arrangement that was undertaken in light of the extraordinary circumstances brought about by the pandemic, and should not set a precedent for subsequent years,” said Zehrt.
However, Zehrt stated that the SRC will continue to raise funds throughout 2021 for the #Action4Inclusion initiative. This initiative was established by the SU SRC and Prof Thuli Madonsela, the SU law faculty trust chair in social justice, according to the SU Alumni website, at the beginning of 2020. The main aim of the initiative is to ensure that no student is left behind, due to financial circumstances. This will be done through clearing student debt, as stated on the website. Donations for the #Action4Inclusion initiative can be made online or via Snapscan.
Donations for the #Action4Inclusion initiative, which aims to ensure that no SU student is left behind due to financial circumstances, can be made via snapscan. PHOTO: Erin Walls