Wits students face uncertainty amid financial aid office closure

The sudden physical closure of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) and the Fees Office at Wits University has sparked widespread concern and frustration among students, particularly those still in the process of registration. With late-registration deadlines fast approaching, students are alarmed by the lack of a clear rationale for the closure and the absence of a specified reopening date. Instead of providing physical assistance, the university has directed students to log queries through the WitsHelp ISM system—an online platform that many students argue is inefficient and overly bureaucratic

Student organisations, including The Mighty Wits EFFYC, have strongly condemned the university’s decision, viewing it as a systematic effort to disadvantage unregistered students. They argue that without physical access to financial services, many students may be unable to resolve urgent funding issues, which could ultimately prevent them from registering. The student body is demanding the immediate reopening of these financial offices to ensure that students can receive the assistance they need in person.

The closure of these critical offices has exacerbated tensions at Wits University particularly against the backdrop of broader concerns around registration and accommodation crises. Some student leaders have accused the PYA-SRC of remaining silent on these pressing issues, arguing that the organisation has failed to stand up for students in the face of mounting challenges. The frustration is further fueled by concerns that financial barriers continue to block many students from accessing higher education, deepening inequalities within the university system.

As calls for action intensify, the situation remains unresolved. Students and student organisations are determined to fight for the reopening of financial aid services, with the broader aim of addressing systemic issues related to student debt and accessibility in higher education. The university administration has yet to respond with a concrete plan, leaving students in a state of uncertainty as they struggle to secure their academic futures.