UKZN set to increase 2017 fees

The University of KwaZulu-Natal Council has approved an eight per cent tuition and an eight per cent residence accommodation fee increase for the 2017 academic year. According to UKZN’s Lesiba Seshoka, the increase will be covered by National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and the Department of Higher Education and Training  for all students who qualify for NSFAS funding as well as those that can demonstrate a household income below R600 000 per annum.

Consequently, both NSFAS and “missing middle” (below R600 000 income) will not experience any fee increases for 2017. At UKZN this means that up to 70 per cent of our students will not be required to pay increased fees.

Students with a household income above R600 000 will be expected to pay the eight per cent increase.

“The decision to increase fees was not an easy one to make and was guided by the announcement made by Minister Blade Nzimande earlier this year and the annual surge in operational costs as well as the rand-dollar exchange rate,” Seshoka said.

He added that UKZN was acutely aware of the financial constraints experienced by many of their students and their families.

“However, the long-term financial sustainability and survival of the University are also key considerations to ensure that the UKZN can continue to serve its stakeholders appropriately into the future,” he concluded.