Fees at the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) depend on your programme and whether you live in a residence. Before you can register, you must make a minimum initial payment (MIP) and settle any earlier debt. The figures below come from CUT's 2026 financial registration guidelines.
Fee increases in 2026
CUT adjusts its fees in line with directives from the Department of Higher Education and Training. For 2026, tuition fees rose by 4.15% and accommodation fees by 5.7%.
Minimum initial payment for South Africans
- Without residence: R5,260, made up of a non-refundable registration fee of R1,453 and a tuition deposit of R3,807
- With a CUT residence: R8,870, which adds a residence deposit of R3,610 for self-funded students
If you register for fewer than three subjects, the tuition deposit is 10% of your tuition instead.
International and SADC students
International students also pay an international admin fee of R2,603. In 2026, their minimum initial payment was R7,863 without residence and R11,473 with residence.
Who does not pay the MIP
- Returning NSFAS-funded undergraduates on the NSFAS list who register for an NSFAS-funded qualification
- First-time entering students listed as NSFAS-funded who register for an NSFAS-funded qualification
- Students funded by other confirmed donors, as verified by the Fees and Financial Aid office
If a donor's award letter excludes the registration fee, you still pay that fee.
Students with debt
If you have an unpaid balance from an earlier year, you cannot register until you settle it or make an acceptable arrangement. That means signing an acknowledgement of debt and a debit order authorisation. You also need proof of your parents' or guardians' income, such as SASSA receipts, a Social Development declaration or a SARS IT34 form.
Funders and the appeals committee
If a funder has not provided its list of approved students when registration begins, CUT's Financial Appeals and Aid Committee deals with the affected students. So check that your sponsor has sent CUT its confirmation in time.
Why CUT enforces the MIP
CUT says that student fees make up about 30% of the budget it needs to operate, and that rising student debt can harm the quality of teaching. It urges students and their parents or guardians to speak to the Fees and Financial Aid officers early about any outstanding debt.
How to pay
CUT recommends paying directly on its application system during registration, because the payment reflects immediately. An EFT into CUT's bank account may take up to three days to reflect.
Funding your studies
Students who are financially needy and academically deserving should apply for NSFAS, SETA bursaries and other external funding. Browse our bursaries, or read the CUT overview.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the CUT minimum initial payment?
In 2026, it was R5,260 for South Africans without residence and R8,870 with a CUT residence.
Is the CUT registration fee refundable?
No. The R1,453 registration fee is not refundable.
Do NSFAS students pay the MIP at CUT?
No. NSFAS-funded students registering for an NSFAS-funded qualification are exempt.