What is a student loan?

A student loan is a way of funding further education after high school. You can use your student loan to pay for:

• Tuition fees
• Books
• Equipment that will be used for study purposes, such as a laptop or stethoscope
• Accommodation*

* Loans for accommodation will only be granted to full-time students not living with their parents.

With your student loan you will receive a Standard Bank transaction account and debit card that you can use to pay for what you need.

How does the student loan work?

Accessing your Student loan account

The money will be paid directly to the institution. The balance can then either be left in your Student Loan account or transferred to your Standard Bank transaction account.

Insurance cover for your Student loan

We recommend that you take out a Personal Loan Protection Plan to pay any outstanding balance on your loan in the event of death, dread disease or disability.

What else do you need to know?

Student loans are granted for a specific year of study and you will have to re-apply for each year of registration.

If you are continuing with your studies and don’t need further funding, please send your marks and proof of registration to us by 31 March every year.

When do I pay it back?

As a full-time student, you will start repaying the loan on completion of your studies. However, during your time of study, you will need to pay the monthly interest. The interest must be charged to your surety's bank account.

You're given a grace period for capital repayments if you have completed your articles, internship or community service.

You will need to start repaying your loan immediately if you fail to complete your studies.

Once the amount has been decided upon and you begin repaying the loan, the monthly repayment amounts will remain unchanged.

As a part-time student, you will need to repay your loan as soon as you start studying.

Monthly payments must be made by debit order and the amounts will be discussed with you once you apply.

One or more of the following will affect the repayment period of the loan:

• Paying more than the minimum monthly instalment.
• Fluctuations in the interest rate.

How do I apply?

Fill out the application form on this site or visit your nearest branch to complete your application.

Remember to have the following documents ready for the application process:

Remember to bring the documents below with you:	Full-time student	Surety	Part-time student
Identity document
Parent or guardian's identity document (if you're a minor)
Latest results
Proof of registration at a tertiary institution
Proof of costs; for example, fees and accommodation
Proof of street address
Income and expenditure statement (The forms are available from our branches)
Proof of income; for example, a salary slip
Two months' bank statements (Only if you are a part-time student or your surety doesn't have a transaction account with us)

Glossary

FULL TIME STUDENT:

Generally referred to students who attend class for more than 30 or 35 hours a week.

PART TIME STUDENT:

Generally referred to students who attend class for less than 30 or 35 hours a week.

SURETY:

The person who takes responsibility for the debt should you not be able to pay.

HIGHER EDUCATION:

Education that you complete post matriculation.

INTERNET BANKING:

Internet site that allows you to transact on your account from your computer.

TELEPHONE BANKING:

Wap site or app that allows you to transact on your account from your computer.

CAPITAL REPAYMENTS:

Payments that reduce the loan amount once the interest has been paid.