The University of South Africa (Unisa) is turning to alumni, corporate partners and other donors for financial support as more than 6,000 undergraduate students face being unable to graduate because of outstanding fees.
Unisa’s Convocation, in collaboration with the university’s National Students Representative Council, will host its second fundraising gala dinner in Pretoria on 23 September as part of efforts to raise money for students who are struggling to settle their fees.
The university said 6,258 undergraduate students currently owe fees and require a combined R47 million to clear their outstanding balances and enable them to graduate.
The fundraising campaign follows the success of Unisa’s first gala dinner in 2025, which raised R4.8 million towards student fees.
The funds benefited more than 600 students who are expected to graduate in 2026.
Unisa said the latest fundraising drive had already secured more than R4 million, with an expected matching contribution from the Unisa Foundation Board of Trustees that could bring the total raised to R8 million.
The university said donor organisations, stakeholders, staff, alumni and other partners had contributed to the campaign.
The fundraising effort comes against the backdrop of rising education costs and the financial pressures faced by students across the higher education sector.
Unisa said it remained committed to keeping its fees affordable compared with traditional full-time universities. It said one module costs R2,300, while R11,500, equivalent to five modules, could fully fund a student who is close to completing their qualification.
For students who have completed their academic requirements but cannot settle outstanding fees, unpaid balances can prevent them from graduating or progressing to further studies.
Unisa said outstanding student fees were a challenge faced by universities internationally, with students remaining in the higher education system while being unable to complete their studies because of financial constraints.
The fundraising gala is intended to provide an opportunity for individuals and organisations connected to the university to contribute towards resolving some of those financial barriers.
Unisa Executive Management and the President of Convocation are expected to attend the event and engage with potential donors.
The university said the gathering would bring together alumni, corporate partners, friends of Unisa and other stakeholders to mobilise additional financial support for students.
The institution’s fundraising initiative comes at a critical point for students approaching graduation, as outstanding fees can leave graduates unable to receive the benefit of qualifications they have worked towards completing.
While the previous fundraising event provided support to more than 600 students, the university’s current figures show that thousands more remain affected by outstanding fees.
The R47 million requirement for the 6,258 undergraduate students illustrates the scale of the financial challenge facing the institution and its students.
The gala dinner will be held at The Maslow Times Square Hotel in Menlyn Maine, Pretoria, from 5.30 pm for 6 pm on Wednesday, 23 September.
The event will focus on mobilising additional funds for student support, with the university seeking continued contributions from its alumni, corporate partners, donors and other stakeholders.
Unisa said the fundraising campaign was aimed at helping students overcome financial barriers that could otherwise delay or prevent the completion of their qualifications.
The university’s Convocation and the National Students Representative Council are leading the initiative in partnership with the institution and its stakeholders.
