The Sol Plaatje University Senior Management Team has created a social relief fund for students who experience unanticipated financial hardship for which they have no other recourse for funding.

Only students who are registered at Sol Plaatje University are eligible to access the fund and may not do so more than twice in one year (January to December) and for a maximum of R10,000 (ten thousand rand) in one year.

This funding is not meant to replace or supplement existing financial aid. 

The funding will be provided for: 

– Personal hygiene products

– Food grant

– Emergency travel

– Medical emergency or medical necessities not covered by a medical aid

– Replacement of essential personal belongings lost as a result of theft or circumstances beyond the control of the student

The funding may not be used for the payment of fees, the payment of fines, repayment of personal loans, payment of non-essential bills (retail stores, cell phone, credit card), recreational needs, mobile devices, airtime and data, and medical aid fees.

Students can access the fund by applying online here.

They will be required to complete an application form and submit supporting documents.

A committee, chaired by the University Registrar, will review the application as per the funding criteria described above and by taking into account the particular circumstances of the applicant. 

The committee will meet every two months to consider applications.

The Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Andrew M Crouch, will contribute R20,000 (twenty thousand rand) of his personal funds as seed funding to this fund.  His contribution to this fund is an expression of his commitment to ensuring that students at Sol Plaatje University are able to participate in and complete their studies without the additional stress of economic emergencies.

The fund will be supported by donations from corporate entities.

Sol Plaatje University alumni, staff and students are invited to make voluntary contributions to the fund either as a once-off donation or a monthly payment. A tax certificate will be issued upon receipt of their contribution.

Donations to the fund can be made into the following University bank account:

Account Name:          SOL PLAATJE UNIVERSITY

Account Type:            PUBLIC SECTOR CHEQUE ACCOUNT

Account Number:     62432518978

Branch Code:             230102

Branch Name:           KIMBERLEY, C.P. 263

Swift Code:                 FIRNZAJJ

Reference:                  STUDENT SOCIAL RELIEF FUND