How to Apply for a Refund at UNISA (2025/2026 Guide)

Kholofelo Modise3 September , 2025

1 7 minutes read

How to Apply for a Refund at UNISA (2025/2026 Guide)

A refund at UNISA may be issued for various reasons such as overpayments, credits after cancellations, or funding adjustments. This guide will help you understand the entire process to ensure you apply for your refund correctly and avoid delays.

Pitfalls to Avoid: Incomplete forms, missing documents, late cancellations.
What a Refund Covers: Overpayments, credits after cancellations, funding adjustments (e.g., NSFAS or sponsorship).
Eligibility: Self-funded students, NSFAS-funded students, sponsor-funded students, international students.
Documents: Refund form, proof of payment, bank confirmation letter, ID/passport.
Application Process: Submit the refund request form as per the instructions, attaching all necessary documents.
Processing Time: Up to 15 working days after submission of a complete refund request.

Who Qualifies for a Refund?

Understanding who qualifies for a refund is essential before starting the process. Below are common scenarios where refunds are granted.

1. Overpayment / Duplicate Payment

If you made a duplicate payment or overpaid (e.g., via card, EFT, or web payment), you are eligible to apply for a refund.

If you cancel modules within the official cancellation cut-off date, you may be eligible for a refund. However, you will always forfeit the minimum payment, and some fees (like application and miscellaneous fees) are non-refundable.

3. NSFAS/Funding Adjustments

If you made a payment before receiving NSFAS or other funding, and the funding is later approved, you may be eligible for a refund. The refund will be calculated minus non-funded costs and will only apply to amounts over R100.

Refunds are typically issued to the third party or sponsor who made the payment. You may need to submit a sponsor authorization letter confirming the amount for refund.

5. International Students

International students must complete a specific refund form and provide their bank details in the IBAN/SWIFT format, along with a passport and bank confirmation letter.

What you need before you apply (Documents checklist)

Before applying for a refund, gather the following documents to ensure a smooth process:

Refund request form (choose one):
• Domestic: UNISA Refund Request – South African students (PDF)
• International: UNISA Refund Request – Foreign students (PDF)
Proof of payment(s): EFT proof, deposit slip(s), or card/web payment confirmations. (UNISA may request bank/card statements for web/card payments.)
Stamped bank confirmation letter that matches the payee’s ID/name (natural person or company).
ID/Passport copy of the payee (passport if foreign).
If sponsor/company refund: company registration doc + sponsor letter authorising the refund (stating the amount).
Evidence of credit origin (if applicable): e.g., module cancellation confirmation, funding approval/linking proof.

Step-by-step: How to apply

1. Self-funded (domestic) student

Download the form: Domestic refund form (PDF).
Complete every field (student number, reason, amount, bank details).
Attach: proof of payment(s), stamped bank confirmation letter, ID copy.
Email your pack to the address printed on the form (currently [email protected]). Subject: “Refund – Student # – Surname”. (Follow the instructions on the form.)
Timeline: allow up to ~15 working days once UNISA has all required docs. (UNISA refunds page confirms the 15-day target.)

Heads-up: UNISA’s refunds page notes no refunds < R100 and a maximum of two refunds per academic year for self-paying students.

2. NSFAS-funded student

Check your NSFAS–UNISA link is active on your record. (NSFAS refunds depend on that link.)
If you paid before funding came through, complete the relevant refund form and attach your docs (proof of payment, stamped bank letter, ID).
Email your pack per the form instructions. (If you receive a UNISA bank-details capture email for allowances/refunds, complete it via the secure link in your myLife email.)
Amount paid out: Credits ≥ R100 (less non-funded costs) are refunded to you; sponsor-funded amounts go back to the sponsor.
Timeline: similar to standard refunds (target ~15 working days after a complete pack / verification).

Confirm who gets the refund: By default, refunds are paid back to the original payer (sponsor/company).
If the sponsor authorises payment to you, include a sponsor letter explicitly stating the amount and granting permission.
Submit the refund form with the sponsor/company docs (registration certificate, sponsor letter) to the email on the form.
Timeline: generally ~15 working days once documents are complete.

4. International students

Use the international form: Foreign students refund form (PDF).
Complete all banking fields (SWIFT, IBAN/Account, Bank address) and provide a passport copy.
Attach: proof of payment(s) + stamped bank letter (in the account holder’s name).
Email per the form instructions (currently [email protected]).
Timeline: form indicates up to 21 business days after all required docs are received.

Cancelling modules (to create a refundable credit)

How to cancel
Go to myUnisa → myAdmin → Student Admin → Cancel Modules. Then wait for the cancellation to reflect on your account before applying for a refund.
What you will forfeit
You always forfeit the minimum payment. If you cancel after the last date, you may forfeit the full fee for that period. Application & miscellaneous fees are non-refundable.
Key 2025 cut-offs (Undergraduate & Honours):
Semester 1: 31 March 2025 • Semester 2: 31 August 2025 • Year modules: see dates on the official page. (Follow the “Pay your study fees” cancellation dates page.)
Masters & Doctoral (different rules/dates):
2025 guidance notes 15 May and 15 August dates for cancellations/liabilities—confirm using the M&D cancellation page.

Unisa highlights that there is also a 10-day cooling-off period for cancellations (see Changing your registration guidance).

Timelines, payout method & tracking

Processing target:
Refunds are typically processed within ~15 working days after UNISA receives all required documents (domestic). The international form states ~21 business days.
Payout method:
EFT to a verified bank account matching the payee; if a third party paid, the refund may be returned to that payer. For allowances/refunds under the EFT onboarding process, UNISA may ask you to capture bank details via a secure link sent to your myLife email.
Following up:
• General refunds: use the email printed on your current form (at present, [email protected]).
• Funding/allowances (NSFAS): Directorate of Student Funding (DSF)—see the EFT announcement and 2025 NSFAS process update.
• General enquiries: use UNISA’s Enquiries channels (Live Chat / self-help FAQ).

Common mistakes that delay refunds

Missing or unstamped bank letter → Get a stamped Bank Confirmation Letter (BCL) that matches the account holder’s ID/name.
Not including all proofs of payment → Include every relevant proof (and bank/card statements for web/card credits if requested).
Requesting non-refundable fees → Application & miscellaneous fees are non-refundable.
Cancelling after the cut-off and expecting a full refund → After the last date, expect partial or no refund.
Wrong payee name / third-party account → Refunds go to the verified payer’s account; sponsor refunds usually go back to the sponsor unless they authorise otherwise.
Too many refund requests → Self-paying students are limited to two refunds per academic year. Plan ahead.

Special cases & notes

Card/web payments: UNISA may require bank/card statements showing the specific web/card transactions before approving the refund.
Changed banking details: Submit a new stamped bank letter that matches your ID/Passport.
International payouts: Expect longer banking timelines (form indicates up to 21 business days). Provide SWIFT/IBAN and bank address details.
SBL students: The Graduate School of Business Leadership (SBL) uses specific withdrawal dates and processes—always check SBL’s programme pages or contact their Fees Office.

Who to contact for help

Refund applications (forms): Use the email on the current form (now [email protected]). Keep your student number in the subject line.
NSFAS allowances/refunds & banking verification issues: Check the EFT process notices and the 2025 NSFAS disbursement process update. Contact DSF if instructed.
General enquiries: See Student enquiries options (Live Chat, self-help).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) Who can apply for a UNISA refund?
Students or sponsors with a credit balance due to overpayment, cancellation within cut-offs, or funding adjustments. International students use the foreign form.

2) How long do refunds take to reflect?
Domestic refunds: ~15 working days after UNISA receives a complete application. International refunds: ~21 business days (per the foreign form).

3) Can I get a refund if I cancel a module?
Yes—if you cancel before the last date. You always forfeit the minimum payment; cancelling after the cut-off may mean no refund.

4) Are application fees refundable?
No. Application and miscellaneous fees are non-refundable.

5) I paid, then NSFAS approved me—do I get my money back?
Often yes if there’s a credit ≥ R100, minus non-funded costs, and once your NSFAS–UNISA link is active. Sponsor funds go back to the sponsor.

6) Where do refunds get paid?
By EFT to the verified bank account of the payer (student or sponsor). For allowances/refunds under the EFT onboarding, UNISA uses a bank-capture platform sent to your myLife email.

7) What documents must I attach?
Completed refund form, proof of payment(s), stamped bank letter, ID/Passport; sponsor letter & company docs if applicable.

8) How do international students apply?
Use the foreign students form with SWIFT/IBAN and passport; expect up to 21 business days.

9) How do I cancel a module correctly?
Use myUnisa → myAdmin → Student Admin → Cancel Modules, then wait for the cancellation to post before requesting a refund.

10) What if my bank details changed?
Send a new stamped bank confirmation letter that matches your ID/Passport.

11) What happens if I miss the cancellation date?
You may forfeit the full fee for that module/period.

12) Do web/card payments need extra proof?
UNISA can request bank/card statements showing the exact card/web transactions.

13) Is there a minimum refund amount?
Yes—UNISA does not process refunds for credit balances < R100.

14) How many times can I request a refund in a year (self-funded)?
UNISA caps self-paying students at two refunds per academic year.

Also check: UNISA Higher Certificates