The University of Pretoria is addressing approximately R1 billion in historical student debt through a new fundraising campaign aimed at graduates who have completed their qualifications but remain unable to access their degree certificates. The Degrees Delivered campaign, launched earlier this year, aims to raise R50 million over three years to assist approximately 1 500 qualifying graduates with outstanding historical debt.
The campaign comes as historical student debt continues to affect graduates long after they have completed their studies. According to UP’s Deputy Director for Fundraising and Alumni Relations Deidré Adams, historical student debt is estimated at approximately R24 billion across South Africa’s higher education sector.
For affected graduates, outstanding debt can prevent access to their qualification certificates, potentially creating difficulties when applying for employment, registering with professional bodies, or pursuing further studies. However, Degrees Delivered is not a general debt write-off. The campaign uses donor funding to settle debt for graduates who meet specific eligibility requirements.
Applicants must have completed their first undergraduate qualification at UP between 2020 and 2025, be South African citizens, and demonstrate financial need, among other academic and socio-economic requirements. They must also have historical debt that is preventing the release of their degree certificate.
Applications are assessed by a committee made up of representatives from UP’s Financial Aid Office and the Department of Institutional Advancement. Graduates identified as potentially eligible are required to complete an eligibility questionnaire and provide documentation relating to their financial circumstances, employment status, and identity. The university will also consider academic performance, financial need, faculty representation, and other approved allocation principles when assessing applications.
For the campaign’s first phase, graduates with historical debt between R20 000 and R50 000 will receive priority, with the university saying that this will allow funds to reach a greater number of graduates. Graduates with higher levels of debt may be considered as additional funds are raised.
According to Adams, approximately R11 million has been raised through contributions from corporates, a SETA partner, UP staff, and alumni. This represents less than a quarter of the campaign’s R50 million target.
Fundraising has included events involving UP alumni and partners. The UP website reported that a wine-tasting event held in July raised R220 000 through ticket sales, donations, and an auction. The campaign’s fundraising model means that the amount of assistance available is dependent on the funds raised and the university’s eligibility and allocation processes.
Degrees Delivered is not intended to resolve UP’s entire historical debt balance. Instead, it is a targeted intervention for a defined group of graduates.
The university’s approximately R1 billion historical debt figure also places the R50 million campaign target in perspective. Reaching its target would represent a relatively small portion of the university’s reported historical debt while potentially assisting the approximately 1 500 graduates identified by the campaign.
For eligible graduates, however, the outcome could be significant: having completed their academic requirements, they could gain access to the certificate needed for employment, professional registration, or further study.
With approximately R11 million raised, the campaign’s next challenge is reaching the remaining R39 million of its target while determining which qualifying graduates will receive assistance.
Visual: Khanyisa Motsepe
