Students worried about registration date

All students who wished to enrol at the North-West University (NWU) should have registered before the closing date, which was on Friday, 14 February 2020, or they would have forfeited their space at the university.

“The decision was taken to avoid interrupting the academic year. There will be no extension period for students who fail to register before this date,” Louis Jacobs, NWU Director of Corporate Communication, said.

Several students have raised concerns about this decision. Some of their concerns were that they are unable to register due to circumstances beyond their control. Most of these circumstances are financial problems. 

Nthabiseng Majeng, a NWU student who has not yet registered due to outstanding debt, said she is still waiting for the National Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to clear her finances so she can register.

“The closing date should be around March, because a lot of students like me are still waiting for the bursary to clear us for registration. The university is aware of this situation, as such, it should give students time to get their finances in order before registrations are closed,” Majeng said.

Majeng also blamed the university for students who fail to register on time due to financial issues. “The university must allow all the students who are funded by NSFAS to register even when they have student debt and then deal with the administration later,” Majeng said. 

Although it seems as if some students are facing challenges, Jacobs said there is no record of students who were unable to register due to NSFAS delays.

“Students should utilise the online method of registration to avoid standing in long queues, as the online method is quick, easy and efficient,” he said. 

Although the online method of registration is an option for many students, queues at the university remain long, as many students still prefer over-the-counter registrations.

“This can be attributed to the fact that students have a lot to do on campus before they can register. Some students want to talk to module advisors, their lecturers and visit financial offices for enquiries before they can register. These things cannot be done online,” Jacobs said. 

Students who have questions or queries about the registration process are encouraged to contact the NWU at 018 299 1111 or email the NWU at enquiries@nwu.ac.za. They can also visit building F1.