Options for life after matriculation
You can study this year even if you can’t afford varsity.
Now that you received your exam results and have your 2017 National Senior Certificate in your hands, your future is at stake. You can further your studies or keep yourself occupied throughout 2018.
Many students whose families cannot afford tertiary education assume the only option available to them is getting a job.
One of them is Dinah Mokoena, a sales assistant. When she passed Grade 12 with flying colours in 2013, she thought it was necessary to put her dreams of studying to become a social worker on hold – or forget about them altogether.
“At the time I didn’t know about study options for matriculants like me, who can’t afford varsity,” said Dinah.
Student advisor, Sizwe Mthembu said the National Student Financial Aid Scheme for school-leavers who do not have the means to fund their studies, offers bank study loans and bursaries, and Further Education and Training colleges offer training towards a specific range of jobs. “Depending on conditions, an FET student may qualify for admission to a technical university to further their studies at a higher level,” he said.
For school-leavers who consider learning while earning, part-time studying, volunteering or a learnership is ideal. Many colleges and universities offer part-time study options and online lecture facilities to enable full-time workers to study. They can study at their own pace and there are various payment options. Learnerships consist of structured theoretical and practical skills in the workplace. In learnership programmes, learners are provided with a stipend.
Recruitment agencies help job-seekers put their Curriculum Vitae together and notify them when a work opportunity that matches their skills becomes available.
Interested individuals can learn more by visiting the NSFAS website on www.nsfas.org, or go to www.volunteersouthafrica.co.za to find out about various volunteer opportunities. For a list of verified colleges, visit www.fetcolleges.co.za.
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