THERE will be no changes to university tuition and accommodation fees for this year despite the extended academic calendar.
This was announced by Dr Blade Nzimande, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, on Thursday in an official statement.
“In terms of the directives on tuition fees, the 2020 academic year is conceptualised as a “package” regardless of its length. This means that the cost for tuition will remain the same for the 2020 academic year regardless of its length for each institution,” read the statement.
“The cost for university-owned accommodation remains the same for the academic year, regardless of its length, capped to the end of March 2021. This assumes that while there will be periods of non-occupation, most students will return for a period of time to complete the academic year.”
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Since the national state of disaster due to the Covid-19 pandemic was declared back in March, a majority of university students have been studying online and at home.
There has been a staggered approach by universities to return all students back to campuses since the country revised its security threat to level 1 last month.
Nzimande said that where there are periods of non- occupation of accommodation, monthly payments can be reduced, based on a payment regime that spreads out the agreed costs over the extended 2020 academic year.
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The minister also announced that National Student Financial Aid Scheme allowances will continue to be paid to students throughout the extended academic year.
“It must be noted that there is currently a process underway to model and plan for any additional academic year costs for NSFAS funded students. Currently no funding has been allocated or approved for additional academic year costs in 2020,” said Nzimande.
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