More first-years lose their place over accommodation than over marks. They get an offer, cannot find a room they can afford near campus, and defer. Plan it with the application, not after the offer.

The one rule

Tick residence on the very first form you submit to each institution. Most universities take the residence application with the academic one and will not add it later. Some open residence applications only after the offer. UNISA has no residences. Your Scenda specialist knows which is which for the institutions you chose.

Three ways to live

  • University residence: on or next to campus, often with meals, safest for first-years. Far fewer beds than applicants. Priority usually goes to learners from far away and to those with financial need, so being from another province helps.
  • Accredited private accommodation: more supply. NSFAS can pay the landlord directly, but only if the property has an NSFAS accreditation number. Ask for it and check it before you sign.
  • Living at home: if you are within 40 km of campus, NSFAS pays a transport allowance instead of accommodation. Say so on the NSFAS form.

What NSFAS will not do

NSFAS does not pay for unaccredited rooms, does not pay deposits, and caps the accommodation amount each year. If a landlord asks you for money before NSFAS pays, walk away.

When

  • With your application: tick residence.
  • October to December: look at accredited private options near your top two choices, in case residence says no.
  • January, after results: confirm the bed within the deadline the institution gives you, usually a few days.

The Accommodation section on Scenda captures your budget, catering and room preferences once, and your specialist applies for residence at your first choice with the academic application.