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Tertiary Fund

 

Some of our Tertiary Students who attended the 50th Anniversary Celebration in June 2022
 
 
The Tertiary Fund sections supports bright, disadvantaged young people from the geographical area of the Valley of 1000 Hills surrounding Hillcrest in KwaZulu Natal (KZN) South Africa.  The fund helps these students to complete their tertiary qualification through institutions within KZN.  Over 95% of the students we help achieve their qualification and go on to enter a meaningful career, thus becoming economic and social contributors to their community and the wider South African economy.

 

'95% of HABandBF Students enter a meaningful career and become economic and social contributors to their communities and the wider South African economy'

 

 

 

Numbers of students supported by the fund vary according to funds available.  When more funds are donated new students are taken on.  When funds are limited we do not take on new students to replace those who have graduated and we are unable to pay any fee shortfalls for students on our books.  

 
Subjects studied vary from vocational courses such as nursing, plumbing and welding to degree courses such as medicine, engineering, education and all sorts in between.  To see the most recent subjects being studied and the insttitutions of study please see our most recent annual report to be found on the 'Annual Reports Page' under 'What We Do'.
 
HABandBF Tertiary Fund students all meet the criteria to be eligible for National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) however not all of them receive NSFAS for various reasons beyond their control.  HABandBF helps them to appeal NSFAS decisions but also makes up the shortfalls in NSFAS financial aid. 
 
Living and book costs are often paid out months after the semester has started - HABandBF helps the students survive those first few months until the NSFAS payments are made.  The NSFAS book allowance is woefully inadequate for subjects such as Law and Medicine.
 
Residence is paid by NSFAS for students whose homes are far from campus.  Those whose homes are 40km away therefore have to find daily transport money which can cost up to R2000 a month - way beyond the means of families whose average income is R5000 per month.  HABandBF help the students to make the decision over whether to obtain private residence close to campus and then helps with the cost of the residence.  Often the students' studies benefit because more time is spent in studying rather than travelling in a overcrowded taxi, the residence will have wifi and backup power so electricity supply is not regularly interrupted due to loadshedding (planned power cuts).
 
Transport payments are supplemented, where necessary by HABandBF with students being encouraged to contribute from their own earnings.  Although unemployment amongst the youth is over 70% students are encouraged to earn through part time jobs and self employment such as tutoring, doing hair or nails, selling sweets, doing sewing.
 
NSFAS pays fees up to a maximum amount.  Fees which exceed this are paid by HABandBF 

 

'Educating the Mind without educating the Heart is no education at all'

 

Throughout each student's journey with HABandBF we teach the soft skills of self confidence, how to behave in a business environment, communication skills, problem solving and overcoming adversity.  We mentor, coach and occasionally counsel our students through any difficulty which could impact on their studies. We provide workshops on how to write CV's and how to present and interact during an interview.  Occasionally extreme life events lead to us referring students for psychological and academic counselling.   We expect all of our students to give back to their society in some way or other, to 'play it forward' and 'practise uBuntu'.  Some work with their old High Schools assisting final year (matriculant) learners with revision.  Others set up their own charitable organisations.  Often law students will hold free legal advice clinics.  

 

Read about some of our successful Tertiary Fund Alumni on the 'Alumni' Page under 'What We Do'

 

 
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