GAP funding is considered for those applicants that did not meet the NSFAS eligibility criteria but still need some financial assistance towards their study costs.
NSFAS applicants that are unsuccessful on missing middle undergrad funding programme, can contact the Student Financial Aid office for assistance regarding UCT GAP funding application. Each application will be evaluated for GAP funding eligibility; Students with a gross family income of between R350 000 and R600 000 are eligible for GAP funding consideration.
The financial assistance provided to GAP funded students is a percentage course fee bursary and a UCT Loan offer.
UCT Administered Bursaries towards Course Fees
GAP funded students will receive a non-repayable course fee bursary ranging from 70% to 50%, based on the gross family income.
A first year BCom student could get as much as R45 000 as a course fee bursary.
UCT Student Loan Offer
GAP funded students will qualify for either a R54 500 or a R15 200 UCT loan offer (2024 loan offer amounts). The loan offer is based on whether you are a local student or from out of town, with local students being offered a R15 200 loan, and out of town students a R54 500 loan. Note this loan is underwritten by UCT. The loan offer may be adjusted annually to cater for inflationary increases and budget availability.
GAP Funding Rules
In the interest of ensuring an equitable and fair allocation of resources given the demand for financial assistance, the following GAP Funding Rules apply to any funding awarded.
- Students that have paid all their fees will have funding withdrawn pro rata to the credit in their account.
- Students with sponsorship or scholarships will have their UCT Tuition bursary reduced and thereafter the loan offer will be reduced or cancelled equivalent to the other funding received.
- Students will not receive UCT GAP funding if other funding received exceeds the UCT determined GAP funding package.
- All GAP funded students are expected to pay their contribution towards study cost.
- Loan conditions will be applied, and loans are repayable once a student finish or stops studying.
- The Loan offer is towards outstanding fees. Students will only receive funding for private accommodation should they have a credit. No other refunds permitted.
How do I apply?
UCT is part of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) student-centred application model. All students and applicants that require financial support must apply to NSFAS. Unsuccessful NSFAS missing middle applications where they are not funded due to the cap on undegraduate programmes on income can contact the Student Financial Aid office for a GAP funding eligibility assessment.
Use the link below to the NSFAS website to register and proceed to complete your on-line application during the NSFAS application window.
When will I know if I am eligible for GAP funding?
Once we receive the application back from you, the application will be evaluated, and the outcome communicated to you. It is therefore important to submit a properly completed application with all supporting documents to ensure no unnecessary delays.
All applications are checked against the following eligibility criteria:
- South African citizenship or permanent residency (proof must be provided)
- First undergraduate qualification
- Financial eligibility within the GAP funding range (GAP funding will not be accepted as an alternative to not having applied for NSFAS or submitting an appeal to NSFAS on an incorrect assessment of financial eligibility)
- NSFAS missing middle application unsucessful on the undergraduate programme cap applied by NSFAS.
- Applicant must not be under administrative order.
- The N+1 Rule: Minimum duration of programme plus one year. All years of study is counted to determine the N+1, irrespective of the sources of funding over those years.
- Note: The post-degree law programme is no longer funded (LAWP01), and the PGDA, PGCE programmes.
UCT will confirm by email your eligibility for GAP funding.