Securing a seat at a university is a massive achievement, but finding the money to pay for it is often the hardest part of the journey. While NSFAS helps many, thousands of South African students fall into the “missing middle”—your household income is too high for a government grant, but you cannot afford to pay cash for tuition, textbooks, and accommodation.
Check Your Personalized Funding Options
At isikolesami.co.za, our mission is to bridge this gap. We are dedicated to connecting you with reliable financial resources so you can pursue higher education without the constant stress of unpaid fees. We believe that financial constraints should never stop a capable student from earning their degree.
One of the most versatile options available to you is the Standard Bank Student Loan. What makes Standard Bank unique in 2026 is that they offer two distinct types of loans: a traditional loan requiring a parent to sign, and a specialized “No Surety” loan for specific students. This guide explains exactly how they work, what they cover, and how you can apply.
The Two Types of Standard Bank Student Loans
Before you apply, you must understand which category you fit into. Standard Bank has split their offering to help more students.
1. The Traditional Student Loan (With Surety)
This is the standard option available to most students. It requires a parent, guardian, or sponsor to sign as “surety.” This means if you cannot pay, they are legally responsible for the debt. This is available to full-time and part-time students at almost any accredited institution.
2. The Student Loan Without Surety
This is a groundbreaking product designed for students who do not have a parent with a strong credit record to sign for them. It is specifically for students from households earning less than R600,000 per year. However, it is currently limited to specific “pilot” universities and specific courses.
Option 1: The Traditional Student Loan (With Surety)
This option is the most accessible if you have a parent or guardian who earns an income and has a clean credit record.
Who Can Apply?
- Citizenship: You must be a South African citizen.
- Institution: You can be studying at any institution accredited by SAQA, SETA, Umalusi, or the Department of Higher Education (DHE). This includes universities, TVET colleges, and aviation schools (SACAA approved).
- Surety Requirement: A parent or guardian must co-sign. They must earn at least R3,000 per month.
- Part-Time Students: If you are working and studying part-time, you can sign for the loan yourself provided you earn at least R5,000 per month.
What Does It Cover?
Standard Bank allows you to finance your entire academic lifestyle, not just the tuition.
- Tuition Fees: There is no maximum limit. The bank will pay whatever the university charges, provided your surety can afford the repayments.
- Accommodation: You can claim up to R60,000 per year for housing. You must provide a valid lease agreement.
- Textbooks and Equipment: You can claim up to R20,000 if you have proof of costs (invoices). If you do not have proof, they cap this at R6,000.
- Laptops and Tablets: Recognizing the shift to online learning, this loan specifically covers devices so you do not miss online classes.
How Repayment Works
This is a critical advantage for full-time students.
- While Studying: You (or your surety) only pay the interest and service fees every month. You do not pay back the actual loan amount yet.
- After Graduation: You are given a grace period, after which you must begin repaying the capital loan amount plus interest. The repayment term can be extended up to 120 months (10 years) to make installments affordable.
Option 2: The Student Loan Without Surety
This option is designed for the “missing middle.” It removes the biggest barrier to entry: the need for a wealthy parent to sign for you.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this specific loan, you must meet strict requirements:
- Income: Your gross household income must be less than R600,000 per year.
- Academic Standing: You must be a full-time student with good academic results.
- Limit: You can borrow a maximum of R120,000 per year.
Which Universities Are Accepted?
Currently, this specific “No Surety” loan is only available if you are studying at one of these pilot institutions:
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- University of the Free State (UFS)
- Stellenbosch University (SU)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- North-West University (NWU)
- University of Limpopo (UL)
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
Why This Loan Is Different
- Pay Later: You make no repayments while you are studying. Repayment only starts 6 months after you complete your studies or secure employment.
- Debt Settlement: Uniquely, this loan can be used to pay off historical debt (existing money you owe the university) that might be preventing you from registering for the new year.
Comparison: Which Loan Suits You?
Standard Loan (Surety)
- Max Limit: Based on affordability (No tuition cap).
- Institutions: All accredited SA institutions + International.
- Repayment: Pay interest immediately while studying.
- Requirement: Needs a parent/sponsor earning R3,000+.
No Surety Loan
- Max Limit: R120,000 per year.
- Institutions: Only specific pilot universities.
- Repayment: Pay nothing while studying. Start paying after graduation.
- Requirement: No sponsor needed. Household income under R600k.
Interest Rates and Costs
It is important to understand the cost of credit. Standard Bank offers personalized interest rates based on your risk profile.
- Interest Rate: Rates range from a minimum of Prime (approx. 10.50%) up to 18.00%. Standard Bank clients may get preferential pricing.
- Monthly Service Fee: R69.00 per month.
- Initiation Fee: A once-off fee ranging from R649.75 to R1,207.50 will be added to your loan balance.
- Insurance: You are required to have Loan Protection Insurance. This covers the debt in the event of death, disability, or dread disease.
Documents You Need to Apply
To ensure your application is processed quickly, you should gather your “Application Pack” before contacting the bank.
For the Student:
- Valid South African ID card or book.
- Proof of registration or final acceptance letter from your institution.
- Matric certificate (NSC) or latest academic results.
- Proof of costs (Tuition invoice, accommodation lease, textbook list).
For the Surety (If applying for the Standard Loan):
- Valid South African ID.
- Proof of address (Utility bill/lease not older than 3 months).
- 3 months’ latest payslips.
- 3 months’ bank statements (if they do not bank with Standard Bank).
Step-by-Step Application Guide
Standard Bank has digitized much of the process, allowing you to get a quote without leaving your home.
Step 1: The “Do I Qualify?” Tool
Before visiting a branch, go to the Standard Bank Student Loan website. Use the “Do I Qualify?” tool. This online form will ask for your ID number and income details to give you an instant quote or pre-approval.
Step 2: Gather Documents
Once you have pre-approval, collect all the documents listed above. If you are applying for the “No Surety” loan, you will need proof of your household income to prove it is under R600k.
Step 3: Finalize the Application
- Online: If you are an existing Standard Bank customer, you may be able to complete much of the process online.
- Branch Visit: For most new student loans, you and your surety (if applicable) must visit a Standard Bank branch to sign the final credit agreement. You must do this within 15 days of getting your online quote, or the quote will expire.
Student Benefits and Discounts
Standard Bank includes several lifestyle benefits with their student loans to help your money go further:
- Textbooks: Get a 5% discount when buying books from Van Schaick.
- Accommodation: Get a 5% discount on Thrive Student Living accommodation.
- Varsity Vibe: Access exclusive deals and discounts at various retailers through the Varsity Vibe app.
The Standard Bank Student Loan is one of the most competitive options on the market, especially because of the two distinct tracks.
If you are at a major university like UCT or UP and fall into the “missing middle,” the No Surety Loan is a lifesaver that allows you to study now and pay later. For students at TVET colleges or private institutions, the Traditional Surety Loan remains a solid choice, provided you have a parent who can cover the monthly interest payments.
Remember, taking out a loan is a serious commitment. Use the online calculator to check the monthly repayments and ensure your sponsor is comfortable with the amount before you sign.