If you are a young graduate from the Eastern Cape struggling with student debt, you now have an opportunity to receive financial relief. The Eastern Cape Office of the Premier, in collaboration with MERSETA, has set aside R70 million to assist students who have completed studies in MERSETA-related fields by clearing their outstanding student debts.
Who Qualifies for Debt Relief?
To be eligible for this student debt relief initiative, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be from the Eastern Cape.
- Have completed a qualification in one of the listed MERSETA-related fields.
- Have outstanding student debt at one of the participating institutions.
Participating Institutions
You may qualify if you studied at any of the following institutions:
- Nelson Mandela University
- Rhodes University
- University of Fort Hare
- Any of the 8 TVET Colleges in the Eastern Cape, which include:
- Ingwe TVET College
- Ikhala TVET College
- Buffalo City TVET College (BCC)
- Eastcape Midlands TVET College (EMCOL)
- King Hintsa TVET College
- King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College (KSD)
- Port Elizabeth TVET College (PE College)
- Lovedale TVET College
Qualifications Eligible for Debt Relief
Debt clearance is available to graduates in the following fields:
- Engineering and Technical Fields:
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic Engineering
- Industrial Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Mechatronics
- Process Engineering
- Metallurgy
- Business and Management Fields:
- Financial Accounting
- Operations Management
- Supply Chain Management
- Marketing
- Human Resources
- Information Technology
Required Documents
Applicants need to submit the following documents:
- A clear copy of your ID.
- A learner agreement form.
- A completion letter (signed and stamped by your institution) or a certificate/academic record confirming your qualification and the date it was obtained.
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How to Apply
To apply, students should contact the relevant representatives at their institutions. Below are the contact details for each participating institution:
| Institution | Contact Person | Email Address | Contact Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ikhala TVET College | Z. Ntantiso | Zoliswa.Ntantiso@ikhala.edu.za | 0437049251 |
| Ingwe TVET College | Z. Nongogo | znongogo@ingwecollege.edu.za | 0664757479 |
| King Hintsa TVET College | V. Swelini | vswelinis@kinghintsacollege.edu.za | 0793851008 |
| BCC | S. Sixabayi | ssixabayi@khc.edu.za | 0821817159 |
| BCC | O. Kwababana | OKwababana@bccollege.co.za | 0438801071 |
| BCC | M. Dweba | mdweba@bccollege.co.za | 0438801071 |
| Lovedale College | T. Mehlio | Thoneka.Mehlio@lovedale.org.za | 0725889717 |
| KSD | T. Dauwua | tdauwua@ksdtvet.edu.za | 0475051040 |
| KSD | S. Ngwadla | sngwadla@ksdtvet.edu.za | 0475051040 |
| EMCOL | T. Tungu | ttungu@emcol.co.za | 0604952076 |
| PE College | M. Joseph | maggiej@pec.edu.za | 0415857771 |
| Nelson Mandela University | F. Abdulla | Fazlur.Abdulla@mandela.ac.za | 0415042765 |
| Rhodes University | E. Walters | e.walters@ru.ac.za | 0466038284 |
| Rhodes University | M. Matiwane | s.matiwane@ru.ac.za | 0466038284 |
| University of Fort Hare | S. Adams | SAdams@ufh.ac.za | 0437047255 |
| University of Fort Hare | A. Cele | ACele@ufh.ac.za | 0437047255 |
Application Deadline
The deadline for applications is 28 February 2025. If you meet the eligibility criteria, be sure to submit your application before this date to take advantage of this financial relief opportunity.
Important Notes
- Only students who have completed their studies are eligible.
- Students who have not yet completed their studies do not qualify for this initiative.
- This program is designed to clear outstanding student debt and is not a bursary for future studies.
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This initiative offers a valuable opportunity for graduates from the Eastern Cape to alleviate financial burdens and move forward in their careers without the stress of student debt. If you or someone you know qualifies, be sure to apply before the deadline and take full advantage of this life-changing program.
