CPUT Bursaries and Funding

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) helps academically deserving and financially needy students pay for study-related costs, such as fees, accommodation and books. Its Financial Aid Office handles four types of funding. The details below come from CPUT's 2026 registration book.

The four types of financial aid

• University-administered awards: bursaries financed by donors and administered by CPUT under set criteria. They are only for students in their second, third and fourth years. You must be a South African citizen with a very good academic record, be assessed as financially needy, and contribute towards your studies.
• NSFAS: the government's student loan and bursary scheme, for financially needy and academically deserving students
• Merit bursaries: for first-year students who obtained an A aggregate in Grade 12 in the year before their first registration. They are only available in the first year.
• Nominated awards: bursaries or scholarships from companies, NGOs and other outside agencies that students apply to directly

NSFAS

All new financial aid applications must be submitted to NSFAS on its website. Monitor your myNSFAS account for updates on your application.

Nominated awards

If an outside funder gives you a bursary, submit your award letter to the Financial Aid Office for processing. Complete and return any application form before the closing date, with the required documents.

Important rules

• Always keep to closing dates. Late applications or late documents mean you forfeit financial assistance.
• Not all applicants can be helped, so apply widely for financial aid.
• Check the notice boards near the Financial Aid Office on your campus, your MyCPUT email and the CPUT website regularly.

Financial aid contacts

CPUT's registration book lists financial aid contacts by campus, such as an NSFAS contact for Mowbray and a bursary officer for international students and short courses. Use the contact for your campus when you have a funding question.

Sponsored students

Students with full-cost or partial sponsorship must make sure their sponsor's confirmation reaches CPUT before registration, so that they can be financially cleared.

Discounts for paying early

If you pay your fees yourself, CPUT gives 5% off year courses paid by the end of March, and 2.5% per semester for semester courses paid by the end of February or August.

Fundi loans

CPUT also points students to Fundi loans for study costs, alongside bursaries and NSFAS.

What you need to pay

In 2026, the upfront payment was R3,500 for tuition and R1,500 for residence. Read more on the CPUT fees page.

More funding

Browse our bursaries for companies and SETAs that fund CPUT students.