BANKSETA / UKZN Outstanding Student Debt Fund 2026

Established through a partnership between the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA) and UKZN, the BANKSETA / UKZN Outstanding Student Debt Fund hopes to reduce the financial pressure faced by graduates in the banking sector.

About the BANKSETA / UKZN Outstanding Student Debt Fund

This fund is a joint initiative between the Banking Sector Education and Training Authority (BANKSETA) and the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). 

It aims to relieve final-year students of outstanding student debt, enabling them to graduate, access records, pursue postgraduate studies, and enter the job market without financial barriers.

Fields of Study Covered

Eligible students are those completing qualifications from UKZN’s School of Accounting, Economics and Finance — including both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes:

1. Bachelor of Accounting
2. Bachelor of Business Science
3. PG Diplomas (Accounting; Financial Planning; Finance, Banking & Investment Management; Maritime Studies)
4. BCom Honours (Accounting [ACCA], Finance & Economics, Management Accounting)
5. Master of Accountancy (Taxation; Coursework)
6. Master of Commerce (Economics; Maritime Studies).

Benefits for Recipients

Approved applicants will have their outstanding tuition debts cleared. 

There are no contractual obligations or work-back requirements attached to this financial assistance.

Eligibility Criteria 

You qualify if you meet all of these:

1. South African citizen under 35 years old in 2026
2. Enrolled at UKZN for 2026 in one of the listed programmes
3. Achieved an average of at least 60% in both semesters of 2021
4. Have actual outstanding student debt
5. Previous BANKSETA beneficiaries may apply if continuing in an eligible programme.

Required Documents

Applications must include clear and certified documents:

• South African ID
• Matric certificate
• Full academic record on UKZN letterhead, including latest results
• UKZN fee statement showing outstanding debt.

How to Apply

1. Apply online via the BANKSETA / UKZN Outstanding Student Debt Fund portal through UKZN’s Financial Aid or BANKSETA website.
2. Upload all required documents accurately.
3. Submit before 27 February 2026 at midnight (00:00).

Only official submissions are considered—ensure all documents are complete.

Contact Details

For help or further inquiries, contact:
Ms Nonhlanhla Mkhize at UKZN via email: MkhizeN35@ukzn.ac.za.