Wits steps up to assist students amidst ongoing funding crisis

Amid student protests breaking out all over the country, the University of Witwatersrand (Wits) has assured students of their commitment to ensuring that all students who meet the criteria can register for the 2025 academic year.

In response to a student hunger strike that started on February 14, the university confirmed that 95% (over 37 000) of its student body has been registered. Of those registered, 23 200 are undergraduate students.

Also read: 800 Wits students’ debt cleared

According to a statement, the university revealed that in 2024 it had administered R1.8b in financial aid for students in the form of bursaries and scholarships, helping approximately 26 000 students. The university also cleared the debt of 796 students, whose total debt amounted to R63m, in January. According to the institution, many of those who received assistance fall into the ‘missing middle’ category.

The university also stated that, through its Wits Hardship Fund, it assists students with registration fees and emergency accommodation. Postgraduate students can also receive funding, courtesy of a recent donation of R8m, provided they have an aggregate higher than 75%.

The university also revealed that the Student Representative Council (SRC) raised R2.5m, an amount which the university matched, to assist students in need.

Also read: Wits welcomes its first-years to years of promised success

Despite its efforts, many students remain in need of funding for the 2025 academic year. The university is, however, unable to assist them.

“Wits is doing everything possible, within its means, to support students. However, the University cannot erase all historic student debt, or fund every student’s education, without risking bankruptcy or insolvency,” read the statement.

Wits has called on the government, as well as the public and the private sector, to come together to tackle the issue of student debt and free education.

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