AS a new academic year approaches, matriculants and other prospective tertiary students face important decisions about what to study, where and how to pay for their courses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Specialist loans provider, DirectAxis, says funding education is one of the top three reasons people apply to it for loans, with applicants looking to further their education, improve their prospects in the job market or advance their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
DirectAxis\u2019 Gavyn Letley says enrolling in a tertiary course is a significant commitment, not only in terms of the time and dedication required to complete it successfully but also in financial outlay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has the following suggestions for people considering a tertiary education; whether these are school leavers, job seekers or people currently employed who want to advance their careers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Pick something that aligns <\/b>
\n with your skillset and interests<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your qualifications are the foundation of your career, and ongoing education once you\u2019re working will sustain it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019re more likely to succeed and be fulfilled if you choose a career path based on your interests and what you enjoy rather than salary or status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A mismatch between a student\u2019s interest, aptitude and the course content contributes to the high drop-out rate at South African universities. This is as much as 60%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Consider studying something that matches your passions and career goals and select a course that motivates you and ensures you gain valuable skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Choose a registered, credible <\/b>
\n provider<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do your homework. There are far too many headlines about students paying for courses that either aren\u2019t, or are only partially, delivered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alternatively, they complete the course only to discover that it or the institution isn\u2019t accredited and their hard-earned qualification is worthless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ask if the institution and course are registered with the South African Qualifications Authority. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have any doubts, you can verify the information on the SAQA website\u2019s searchable database.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you can, speak to friends or people who may be doing the course or have graduated. Ask about their experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n Consider the financial implications<\/b>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tertiary studies can require a significant financial commitment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prices vary widely depending on where and what you are studying. In 2023, the average cost of a first-year degree was R55 900 but could be as much as R87 000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Besides paying for tuition you\u2019ll also need to consider other costs such as books, course materials, specialist equipment and essential technology such as a laptop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re studying away from home, accommodation, food and transport are other costs you\u2019ll need to consider.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to financial support for eligible students through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), explore other sources of funding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some private-sector companies and industry associations provide bursaries and it\u2019s worth finding out if any are available for your field of study. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019re looking to develop your career you may be able to access funding through a relevant Sector Education and Training Authority programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you, or your parents, are taking a loan to pay for your course or a part of it, consider the monthly repayment amounts and the term of the loan using an online calculator such as www.directaxis.co.za\/loans\/personal-loan\/calculator<\/span>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDropping out due to financial constraints is common and can make it more difficult to return to your studies later. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s why a thorough evaluation of all potential costs and the financial support available is essential before enrolling,\u201d says Letley.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" AS a new academic year approaches, matriculants and other prospective tertiary students face important decisions about what to study, where and how to pay for their courses.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":43817,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_yoast_wpseo_linkdex":"","_yoast_wpseo_content_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_inclusive_language_score":"","_yoast_wpseo_is_cornerstone":"","_yoast_wpseo_canonical":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_opengraph-image-id":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-title":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-description":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image":"","_yoast_wpseo_twitter-image-id":"","newspack_ads_suppress_ads":false,"newspack_sponsor_sponsorship_scope":"","newspack_sponsor_native_byline_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_native_category_display":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_style":"inherit","newspack_sponsor_underwriter_placement":"inherit","_crsspst_to_novanewscoza":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozabloemnewsexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozacityvision":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozadistrictmailhelderberg":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaeikestadnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozahermanustimes":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakomani-karoo":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozakougaexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozanoordkaapbulletin":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapaarlpost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozapeoplespost":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaswartlandgazette":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozatygerburger":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaudexpress":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavistanews":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozavrystaatkroon":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweskusnuus":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaweslander":false,"_crsspst_to_novanewscozaworcesterstandard":false,"_EventAllDay":"","_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":"","_EventShowMapLink":"","_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":"","_EventVenueID":"","_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":"","_VenueShowMapLink":"","_application":"","_batch_id":"","_company_name":"","_company_tagline":"","_company_twitter":"","_company_video":"","_company_website":"","_custom_id":"35b67e8a-a03c-4a30-a0d6-587fa0af4390","_EventDuration":"","_EventOrigin":"","_EventTimezoneAbbr":"","_featured":"","_filled":"","_job_expires":"","_job_location":"","_media_credit":"","_media_credit_url":"","_menu_item_menu_item_parent":"","_menu_item_object":"","_menu_item_object_id":"","_menu_item_target":"","_menu_item_type":"","_menu_item_url":"","_menu_item_xfn":"","_navis_media_can_distribute":"","_navis_media_credit_org":"","_OrganizerOrigin":"","_provider":"","_pum_built_in":"","_pum_default_theme":"","_pum_form_conversion_count":"","_remote_id":"","_remote_name":"","_remote_position":"","_report_frequency":"","_report_reference_dates":"","_send_attempts":"","_site_id":"","_sitemap_exclude":"","_sitemap_frequency":"","_sitemap_priority":"","_source_url":"","_subscription_period":"","_subscription_period_interval":"","_subscription_price":"","_tec_slr_enabled":"","_tec_slr_layout":"","_template_type":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_tribe_aggregator_allow_multiple_organizers":"","_tribe_aggregator_content_type":"","_tribe_aggregator_file":"","_tribe_aggregator_finalized":"","_tribe_aggregator_hash":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_id":"","_tribe_aggregator_import_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_interactive":"","_tribe_aggregator_origin":"","_tribe_aggregator_post_status":"","_tribe_aggregator_preview":"","_tribe_aggregator_source_name":"","_tribe_aggregator_type":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_hide_attendees_list":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":"","_tribe_ticket_version":"","_type":"","_VenueOrigin":"","_wp_attachment_context":"","_wp_attachment_image_alt":"","_wp_font_face_file":"","_wp_old_date":"","_yoast_wpseo_estimated-reading-time-minutes":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskeywords":"","_yoast_wpseo_focuskw_text_input":"","_yoast_wpseo_keywordsynonyms":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_block-catalog":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_category":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_job_listing_type":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_nova_retailer":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_publication":"","_yoast_wpseo_primary_tribe_events_cat":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-duration":"","_yoast_wpseo_videositemap-rating":"","_menu_item_classes":[],"_tribe_modified_fields":[],"_wp_attachment_backup_sizes":[],"_wp_suggested_privacy_policy_content":[],"_yoast_post_redirect_info":[],"_yoast_wpseo_video_meta":[],"activation_date":"","archive_insertion_is_repeating":"","archive_insertion_posts_count":"","article_feature_media":"","article_feature_type":"","article_main_image_caption":"","article_media_icon":"","article_template":"","author_byline":"","background_color":"","block_editor":"","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"","hide_border":"","icon":"","is_wp_suggestion":"","issuu_download_url":"","issuu_embed_url":"","language_version_url":"","large_border":"","name":"","nm_contact_name":"","nm_contact_number":"","nm_date_lost":"","no_overlay_background":"","node-url":"","obituary_born_date":"","obituary_died_date":"","obituary_memoriam_text":"","origin":"","overlay_color":"","overlay_opacity":"","overlay_size":"","placement":"","plural_label":"","post_author":"","post_id":"","post_language":"en","secret-key":"","sponsored_utm_campaign":"","sponsored_utm_content":"","sponsored_utm_medium":"","sponsored_utm_source":"","sponsored_utm_term":"","start_date":"","utm_suppression":"","video_embed_url":"","wp_pattern_sync_status":"","data_version":[],"enclosure":[],"pongrass_image":[],"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_newspack_byline_active":false,"_newspack_byline":"","newspack_content_restriction_is_exempt":false,"scaip_prevent_shortcode_addition":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"newspack_spnsrs_tax":[],"publication":[],"class_list":["post-43815","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n