Student leaders champion awareness of informed academic and financial choices

The Directorate of Student Governance and Leadership Development (SGLD) hosted its first Academic and Financial Exclusion Awareness event at the Tshwane University of Technology’s (TUT) Soshanguve Campuses, bringing together student leaders and support services to equip students with information and resources to help them remain on track academically and financially.

Nyiko Baloyi Sosh SRC President. The event focused on raising awareness about academic and financial exclusion, two challenges that affect many students during registration periods. Students may face exclusion because of outstanding fees or repeated failure of the same module, often without fully understanding the support available to them.

Recognising growing concern around these challenges, student leadership partnered with institutional support offices to provide students with accurate information and practical guidance before problems escalated.

Nyiko Baloyi, SRC President for the Soshanguve Campuses, said the increase in student appeals this year highlighted the need for intervention and education.

“The number of appeals we received this year led us to host this event, mainly to educate first-year students about the importance of taking their academics seriously,” said Baloyi.

The event also addressed concerns about individuals who exploit vulnerable students by promising shortcuts to bypass institutional processes. Student leaders encouraged students to avoid scams and misinformation and to follow official procedures when seeking assistance.

Representatives from Student Development and Support (SDS), Financial Aid, the Disability Unit and the NSFAS Office engaged directly with students, providing information on available services and support mechanisms.

For many students, the event served as an important source of information, particularly for those who may not have attended orientation programmes and were unaware of available support structures.

Nomsa Bokaba, SDS Practitioner, highlighted the emotional and financial pressures that often affect academic performance.

“One of the factors that leads to academic exclusion is the pressure to perform well while still worrying about how to settle debts the following year when there is no family support and no job,” Bokaba explained.

Nomsa Bokaba SDS Practitioner. Bokaba encouraged students experiencing academic difficulties to seek counselling and academic support early. She said counselling interventions and practical study strategies can help students improve performance and avoid repeating modules.

Ivy Morulane, Disability Coordinator, emphasised the importance of early communication and intervention. She encouraged students with disabilities to raise academic challenges as soon as they arise so that appropriate accommodations and support can be provided.

Morulane said students should not wait until exclusion becomes a possibility before reporting challenges such as difficulties reading examination papers because of font size or printing colour.

Bongani Nene, the SFC Chairperson, encouraged students to remain focused on their studies and avoid distractions that could delay their academic progress.

The Financial Aid Office also shared information on institutional financial support measures available to assist qualifying students with outstanding debt.

More than an awareness campaign, the event demonstrated TUT’s commitment to student success and wellbeing. By connecting students directly with support services and encouraging early intervention, SGLD created a platform that empowers students with knowledge, guidance and practical support.

The event reinforced a clear message: staying informed, seeking help early and making use of available support services can play an important role in achieving academic success.

Students who attended the event.