SARS efiling

We all know the expression about death and taxes being the only sureties in life.

However, even though we dutifully pay the taxes every year, we seldom ask why?

The reason is that the government has certain expenses that need to be paid. It usually has to do with the services and amenities that we all use. The Parks in the cities and the street lights and the roads belong to all residents. They have to be maintained. Maintenance costs money.

To keep public places and services running smoothly, you need people.

They have to be paid. Your income tax pays them. It also pays government employees such as the police, firefighters, and paramedics.

Of course, the authorities must keep meticulous records of the money they had received and who paid what. Income tax returns have to be filed every time an individual pays. It is necessary to keep up to date on what individual taxpayers earn. To make this process more accessible and easier to understand, the South African revenue services developed a system called eFiling. This online system eliminates the necessity to go to a SARS branch if you have questions or request a tax clearance certificate. In short, SARS eFiling is an online process for submitting returns and declarations related to income tax.

This service is free and enables all taxpayers, practitioners, and businesses to submit returns and declarations, make payments and interact with SARS online on a secure platform after registering.

The eFiling service in South Africa compares well with similar systems worldwide, such as those used in the U.S, Ireland, France, and other countries.

SARS is very serious about maintaining privacy and security.

Information shared on the eFiling platform is protected by the most advanced browser security in existence.

The connection between the SARS’s Service and the taxpayer browser is encrypted to ensure that using eFiling is safe and out of reach for hackers.

To register for eFiling

When you register, you will need:

• Your tax registration number/s
• ID number
• The personal details o iff the taxpayer.

Visit the eFiling website of SARS. You will find it here: https://www.sarsefiling.co.za/

and click on Register

Or

you can get the MobiApp at the SARS website. It also has a register-option.

Or

You can visit the nearest SARS branch to you. They will help you and answer your questions.

Once registered:

You can either simply fill in the application form yourself, or you can take the role of a registered representative or employee paying on behalf of a company.

You also have the option to act as an agent working on behalf of another taxpayer.

Acting as an agent for a taxpayer: 

You can do that if you are:

• A registered tax practitioner.
• Or an employee with permission from a registered tax practitioner.
• Or a foreigner performing this action on behalf of an individual or company.

On registration, SARS will verify your information. They will communicate the necessary information to you on your eFiling registration form or by email.

If you have registered successfully, you will be sent a one-time pin or OTP. You can then complete the registration after verifying the OTP. On the other hand, if the registration was not successful, you may visit your nearest branch to get the necessary assistance.

To register as a taxpayer

When you register for SARS eFiling, SARS issues a tax reference number.

To register as a taxpayer, you need a valid South African ID.

Then you have to visit

https://www.sarsefiling.co.za/Register.aspx

• Follow the instructions on the page
• Request notice of registration, This action will register your income tax registration number.

What is a tax return? 

A tax return is the completed documents returned to a tax authority such as the South African Revenue Services.

This document lists information about income and expenses. A tax return provides taxpayers the opportunity to work out their tax liability or request refunds for overpayment if applicable. It reports income, expenses, and other relevant tax information.

Tax returns should be submitted together with supporting documents such as

• An IRPs/IT3 certificate from your employer.
• Medical certificates.
• Annuity certificates.
• Banking details.
• A travel logbook (provided you receive a travel allowance).
• Tax certificates for investment income (IT3).
• Disability information (ITR-DD), where applicable.

Also Read: How to View and Pay AARTO Traffic Fines Easily Online

Not every taxpayer needs to submit a return. It is only necessary to submit a return if:

Your total income from employment/salary for the year did not exceed R500 000

You have earned more than R500,000 in the tax year.

You have conducted trade in the country as a South African citizen.

You have received allowances for subsistence, travel, or duties as an office-bearer.

Have assets outside of South Africa that are worth more than R225 000?

• have capital gains or capital losses in excess of R40 000? If
• hold rights in a foreign company?
• Or have received a request from SARS to submit a return.

MyNsfas Account

The Nsfas, known in full as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, is funded by the Department of Higher Education and Training of South Africa. It is the government’s way of helping economically disadvantaged undergraduate students after high school to pay for their tertiary education. Although the South African government provides financial aid for numerous students, many others do not benefit from this program due to the sheer number of applicants each year. However, if you apply for Nsfas and your application is not accepted during the year you applied, and you submit an appeal, log into your Nsfas Account the following year to check your application status.

Here are the steps to follow to access MyNsfas account.

1. If you already have myNsfas Account, all you need to do is to use your password and username for your Google account or Facebook account to sign in.
2. If you don’t have one, then create a valid email address and have a strong password that consists of figures and letters.
3. Visit the Nsfas website at http://www.nsfas.org.za/ and click on “myNfsas account”.
4. Type in your username, which is oftentimes the email address you previously created. Then enter your password into the section that requests it.
5. Type in your most recent phone number and email address into the “my personal details” tab and click the section that says “update your details” to move forward. The phone number and email address you provide should not belong to anyone else.
6. You will receive a One Time Pin as a message on your new number and as an email to the address you provided. Then type in the One Time Pin (OTP) you received so that your information will be updated to the system.

Note that sharing your Nsfas password with some other person irrespective of who it is is not acceptable for security reasons.

Also, you may be unable to access your Nsfas account within certain periods due to network issues. It can also happen if officials are performing maintenance work on the website as a whole.

If you have a Nsfas Account, but you cannot remember the password, here are the steps to follow;

1. Enter your ID number on the “forgot your password” tab.
2. Click that you have forgotten your password and tap submit.
3. The site will send you an OTP through an SMS and an email which you have to type in and tap “submit” again.
4. After which, you have to create a new password that is strong but also easy for you to remember.

Note that if you are no longer in possession of the phone number you used to create your Nsfas Account and you’ve forgotten your login details, you need to submit a certified affidavit to uds@nsfas.org.za to request that the system updates your Nsfas account information with the new one you’ve provided. If you do not do this, you’ll be permanently unable to access your Nsfas account.

Once you have registered with the University of the Free State (UFS), you will have access to the UFS student portal. This portal is a way for you to communicate with your professors and stay informed on the latest news concerning your classes, assignments and tests.

In this article, we’ll explain how you can use the UFS self-services, and we’ll guide you on how to access the UFS blackboard and troubleshoot login issues. You can also find out more about the Blackboard mobile app and learn where to download it.

How to Use the UFS Self-Service Portal

➢ Access the UFS Self Service Portal here.

Student Password Management

On the UFS self-service homepage, you’ll find the student password management section. Here you can change or reset your password, set up security questions, and solve login issues.

If you’re using it for the first time, you can click on the student password management section. The portal will ask you to choose a new password and set up security questions.

The security questions have to be something that you can remember because you’ll be asked to answer these questions when you request to change or forgot your password. For example, “What was your first dog’s name?”

If you forgot your password, you should click on the ‘forgot password’ button. You can either reset your password by answering security questions or by entering a security code.

Reset Password by Answering Security Questions

The portal will request your username, which is also your student number. Once you have entered it, you can reset your password by answering the security questions that you have previously set up.

Suppose you don’t have any security questions set up or still experiencing login issues. In that case, you can proceed to the next step.

Reset Password by SMS or Email Address

When you click on the ‘Forgot Password’ Button, the portal will request your username. The portal will search your username and ask permission to access your mobile number and email address.

After entering your username, UFS will send you a security code to the mobile number or email address associated with your student account.

Once you have received the code, copy and paste it onto the portal and then click confirm. If you’re still having trouble logging in, you can contact the University.

● Password Assistance: (+27) 51 401 2442

UFS Student Self Service Portal

The UFS self-service portal makes it easy for you to access your personal information, results, schedules, and consult student inquiries from the comfort of your home.

Follow these steps:

➢ Log in to the UFS self-service portal

➢ Choose your request

➢ Enter the date

➢ Select ‘continue’

You can request the following:

Academic Records

Your academic record shows the course you are registered for and shows your completed modules’ marks.

Financial Records

A financial record summarizes your payments and also indicates your outstanding payments.

Timetables

You can download a timetable that tells you what classes you’ll attend for the specific semester, and it also shows your class locations. In the case of distance learning, your timetable may be different from the one provided online.

Proof of Registration

The proof of registration will show for which courses you are registered. This document will be available for download after you have successfully registered with UFS.

Housing and Residence

Make sure that your personal information is correct and that the University shows your current address.

UFS Blackboard

What is Blackboard?

Blackboard is an online learning and course management system. A group of friends in the United States developed the system in 1997. Today it is one of the most comprehensive e-learning tools, and it has roughly 100 million users.

UFS Lecturers and professors use the Blackboard to communicate with students. They can use the platform to provide audio files, reading material, videos, and presentations.

What Is Blackboard Used For?

The UFS Blackboard is an essential tool for students. You’ll use this portal to communicate with your lecturers. In most cases, your lecturers will request you to submit assignments on the Blackboard portal. Here are some things that you can expect to find on the UFS Blackboard:

• Assignments
• Study material
• Electronic grades
• PowerPoint presentations
• Registered modules

How Do I Access the UFS Blackboard?

➢ You can access the UFS Blackboard login page here.

➢ Select the Blackboard link.

Log in:

Username: Student number

Password: UFS password

What to Do If My Modules Aren’t Visible on Blackboard?

Once you have logged in, you should see your modules for the specific semester. Also, note that it can take 24hours before your modules show after you have registered with UFS. In case your modules aren’t visible after 24 hours, you can contact the following helplines:

• Attach your proof of registration to the email.
• If you send the email after hours, it will only be answered on the following business day.

➢ Email Address: ehelpdesk@ufs.ac.za

➢ Operating hours: Weekdays: 07:45-21:00

➢ Weekends and holidays: 09:00-18:00

➢ Blackboard help desk: (+27) 51 401 9452

Blackboard App

The Blackboard app is free and available on all mobile devices. The app gives you easy access to your study material and ensures that you stay updated on any changes. The app offers the following functions:

• Smart view of events
• Assessment and progress
• Assignments, tests dates, and exams

How to Access the Blackboard App

Download the app from one of the following mobile applications:

➢   Apple iStore

➢   Google Play store

➢   Microsoft Store

• Once you have downloaded the app, search for the University of The Free State, South Africa.
• Enter your student number and UFS password.

Also Read: University of Free State (UFS) Online Application

Important Links

While you are learning how to use the student self-services, we suggest bookmarking the following links, as you’ll use these quite often:

University of the Free State Official Website

UFS Self Service Homepage

UFS Contact Details

UFS Blackboard Learning

Conclusion

The University of the Free State self-service portal is an excellent tool that can maximize your experience as a student. Although the system might seem overwhelming at first, it is pretty easy to use once you get the hang of it.

CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) was founded on the 1st of January 2005. CPUT is the only university of technology in the Western Cape and has more than 70 programmes. There are a total of six campuses and four service points across the Western Cape.

CPUT SOS

CPUT gives all its students access to an online portal called SOS (Student Online Services).

This portal allows students to do the following:

• Register online
• Check which subjects they have registered for
• Print proof of registration
• View their progress marks
• Change contact information
• Check outstanding fees and pay fees online

To login into CPUT SOS, go to the login page, fill in your student number, PIN, and click Login. If you don’t have a pin, fill in your student number and click on Request A Pin. Once you have done that, go back to the SOS page, and use ‘Get Your Pin Here’ to get the pin displayed. Students only have three attempts to get a pin. If you exceed the three attempts, you will need to contact the Call Centre on 086 123 2788 or 021 959 6767 to reset your login.

CPUT Blackboard

CPUT also has a system called CPUT Blackboard or MyClassroom. Students can do various things in this system, such as completing online tests and assignments and participating in online discussions and reading blogs.

How To Use CPUT Blackboard:

• Log in to MyClassroom by clicking on Student Login.
• Once you are in Blackboard, you will find My Activities on the right-hand side.
• Under My Activities, you should see all the subjects that you registered for.
• Choose a subject.
• You can click on My Announcements to see if your lecturer has posted anything.
• On the left, click on content. You will find notes, videos, audio, quizzes, tests, exams, etc.
• You can click on ‘Groups’ to see any online groups that you might be a part of in the left menu.
• To log out of MyClassroom, there is a ‘log off’ button in the top-right corner, next to your name.

Navigating Your Course:

• The course menu is on the left of the page.
• The Home Page is the course module page, and this contains any new information and due dates for your course.
• The To-Do section has a list of upcoming due dates.
• The What’s New section has links to course content that your lecturer has added or changed in the past week.
• You will need to click Refresh in the Action’s menu to be able to see changes that have been made.
• My Announcements is where your lecturer will post important information.
• Clicking on Tools will show you the tools that your lecturer has made available to you.
• Click on My Marks on the Tools page to see your grades.

Using the Calendar:

• The calendar is found on your course page, in the Tools section, or on My Blackboard menu.
• You can use the calendar to view events, as well as add your own events.
• You can also get an external link that you can use to import the calendar into an external calendar.

Course Content Area:

Your lecturer can upload a wide range of content to courses. This includes the following:

• A syllabus that contains course information, grading information, lecturer contact information, information on textbooks, etc.
• Content folders that allow lecturers to use folders and sub-folders to categorise information.
• Learning modules that include images, multimedia, tests, and exams.
• Web-links that are linked to other websites.
• Videos
• A discussion board where students can chat through forums.
• Assignments that lecturers use to test students.
• A Quiz, Test, or Exam section that lecturers use to assess students.
• Surveys that are used for evaluations and polling.
• YouTube’s videos.
• A calendar that is used to track important events.
• My Marks is used to display your grades.

Blackboard allows you to submit your assignments online. On the Upload Assignments page, you can view important assignment information. Choose ‘Write Submission’ to open the section that allows you to submit your assignment. Upload your file, and type comments if necessary. Once you have submitted your assignment, you will be able to see the Review Submission History page. There will be a confirmation number that you should save if it doesn’t get emailed to you. Students can also complete tests, quizzes and exams on Blackboard.

CPUT Blackboard also has a feedback section, where lecturers can leave text and audio feedback for students. Audio recordings can be up to five minutes in length. Unfortunately, lecturers and students aren’t able to download, share or reuse the recording.

Some other great features include being able to join an online webinar through Blackboard Collaborate Ultra (your lecturer will give you the link to this), accessing webinar recordings, and chatting in discussion forums. You can also use the Blogs function to read other blogs, create your blog posts, and comment on blog posts.

Blackboard also has an app that is available on both iOS and Android. Your phone’s operating system will need to be iOS 11+ or Android 5+. The app is free to download, and you use your CPUT username to log in.

Also Read: Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) Application

You will be able to view your subjects

• Access the calendar
• View announcements
• Access your course content
• Submit your online assignments
• Complete quizzes and tests
• View your grades
• Join online webinars and access recordings
• Chat in discussion forums.

The app helps students who are unable to access a laptop or computer. You will receive notifications when announcements are posted, which will help ensure that you don’t miss anything important!

VUT ITS: Vaal University of Technology Student Portal

Vaal University of Technology (VUT) was founded in 1966 but only became a Technikon in 1979. The main campus is in Vanderbijlpark, and there are three other campuses in Ekurhuleni, Secunda, and Upington. VUT has four different faculties: Applied and Computer Sciences, Human Sciences, Engineering and Technology, and Management Sciences.

VUT ITS

VUT provides all staff and students with Integrator Tertiary Software (ITS) that allows them to log in and see important information. Students have access to iEnabler and can access their academic records, financial statements, and timetables. Students also use iEnabler to apply to study at VUT. Logging in is done with your student number and pin.

If you need to reset your pin, you need to follow these steps:

1. Make sure that your VUT student Google email address is active. Click on Student Google Email and use ‘studentnumber’@adu.avu.ac.za and your pin to log in.
2. Go to the ITS log in page.
3. Enter your Student Number and click on ‘Forgot Pin’.
4. Your current pin will be sent via email to your VUT student email address.
5. Use that pin to log in to ITS.

VUT Blackboard

VUT has an online system called VUT Blackboard, and their system is called Vutela. This online system allows students to complete tests, assignments and exams, and access course information, including their grades.

To log in to VUT Blackboard, you will need the web address of VUT’s Blackboard, as well as your username and password. You can also download the app for both iOS and Android, and you will be able to access the same features as on the website and receive notifications when your lecturer posts anything new.

If VUT allows it, you will be able to contact your lecturer via email or through the course messages tool. Messages stay in Blackboard, and you can view messages by clicking on the Messages link or on the Tools page. The course email tool allows you to send messages to external email accounts; however, you won’t be able to receive replies in Blackboard.

Once you have logged in, you will be on the My Institution page. At the top, you might see other pages that have been made available to you. My Blackboard and user tools are available to everybody who uses the site. There are a few default options available.

These include:

1. Bb Home: this shows your five recently graded items and an overview of other items that are due.
2. Calendar: this is where you can keep track of upcoming due dates, assignments and events.
3. Posts: this displays recent posts and discussions, including comments on posts and blogs, etc.
4. Updates: This is where you will find notifications about important events and information.
5. My Grades: you can view your grades in this section.

The Tools section displays course-specific information. These options might appear under Tools:

1. Announcements – important information relating to your course.
2. Calendar – displays events, and you can create your events.
3. Tasks – keep track of your tasks from your lecturers, and you can add your own.
4. My Grades – you will be able to see all your grades for all your courses
5. Send email – you can send emails to other course member’s external email addresses
6. User Directory – lists all users on Blackboard Learn
7. Address Book – you can store the contact information in the address book.
8. Personal information – this is where you can view and edit your information and change your password and customize your settings.

The Courses tab has a list of every course that you’re enrolled in. Use Course Search to search for a specific course. Use the Course List to pick one of the courses that you’re enrolled in. You can search the Course Catalog for courses. You are able to search for courses with the Course ID, the Course Name, the Course Description, the Course Instructor, or the Course Term.

Courses might look different depending on your institution and your lecturer, but some parts are similar. The Course Menu is on the left of the page and has links to all the course areas. Lecturers control what is available in this section. There is a little home button at the top of the left of the page, and right next to it is a drop-down arrow. This is Course-to-Course navigation, and it allows you to switch between courses. The What’s New section displays any changes to course content. Tests, quizzes, assignments, blogs, and other important messages are found here. The To-Do section shows you what is currently due and your past due items that weren’t submitted.

You can interact with others through multiple different channels. You can do the following:

1. Find other users using the Roster tool to search through members or search in the User Directory.
2. Use Blackboard Collaborate for video conferences.
3. Read and comment on Blogs, or create your own blog post.
4. Have discussions with other students on the Discussion Board.
5. Email other course members.
6. Join study groups or project groups and collaborate with other students.
7. Use Journals to communicate privately with your lecturer. Your lecturer will be able to take points and create discussions.
8. Read messages within Blackboard.
9. Use Organizations to communicate with students that share the same interests.
10. You can create and edit Wiki pages with other students on course content relevant to you.
11. Use Microsoft Teams to set up meetings.
12. Your lecturer can set up Google Meet for Blackboard, and this can be launched directly within a course.

Also Read: Vaal University of Technology (VUT) Online Applications

Lecturers can add all sorts of course content such as files, assignments, multimedia and links. This can be organized into different folders, modules and lesson plans. You can submit assignments through Blackboard and view your grades. Tests are used to test your knowledge of the course content, and surveys are used for polling. Responses to surveys are anonymous and aren’t graded, but they will be incomplete if you don’t participate.

For in-depth assistance with Blackboard, you can access more information online at https://help.blackboard.com/; however, remember that VUT might have their interface set up differently, so it might not look exactly the same.

Most universities have a platform where they communicate with students. Lecturer and student communications are held through these platforms. Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is one of these universities. TUT has a student specifically designed to ease communication barriers between lecturers and students. Through the portal, lecturers can reach all their students at once. It also helps learners manage their studies as everything they need to know about their modules and expectations can be found on the portal. Class assessments, class tests, lecture slides, and assignments for each module can be found in the portal.

The TUT ITS portal was designed with the end-users in mind. This is evident in how easy it is to adapt to it. The portal has minimal tabs, and the tabs are clearly labelled. It is hard for users to be lost when faced with this portal. But for those who are struggling to use the portal or have no idea what to expect, this article is for you.

How To Use TUT ITS Portal Guide

Step 1: Visit the official TUT website at www.tut.ac.za and find the student portal. Alternatively, you can search ‘TUT Student portal’ on your preferred search engine.

Step 2: Once you have clicked on the portal, you will be asked to log in using your TUT credentials. This is your TUT student number and your password. Tip: Keep your credentials private as they give access to all your university information.

Step 3: When you are using a mobile device, on your upper right, you will see a tab labelled “sites”. Under ‘sites’, you will find all your registered modules. It is advisable to know modules by their codes as they are listed in code form here.

When you are using a PC or laptop, the display of the portal might be slightly different. On your screen, you will see ‘my admin’ and ‘my modules’ tabs. On the ‘admin’ tab, you will find all the information relating to registrations and finances. ‘Modules’ tab has ‘sites’, which is the same as when using a mobile device.

Step 4: After you have selected a module of choice under ‘sites’, you will have tabs for announcements, assessments, lessons, discussions, etc. Under each of these tabs, you will find relevant information as described by the tab name.

The University of Kwazulu-Natal (UKZN) was founded in January 2004. There are a total of five campuses, and these are Westville Campus, Howard College, Medical School, Edgewood, and Pietermaritzburg. There are four different colleges. These are the College of Humanities, the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, the College of Health Sciences, and the College of Law and Management Sciences.

UKZN Student Central

UKZN has an online student portal called Student Central. Student Central is used for registering online as well as viewing fees. Each faculty has its own site with registration information and fees, but all registrations are done online through Student Central. Applications and registrations for student accommodation are also made through Student Central.

UKZN Email

All students will receive a free Microsoft 365 email account. Students will have access to email accounts that have 25GB available and 25GB of online storage. They also have access to instant messaging and many other features such as a calendar and free usage of Microsoft Office Web applications.

To log in to your UKZN email account:

1. Go to http://my.ukzn.ac.za/
2. Click on Login.
3. Enter your student number in this format: StudentNumber@stu.ukzn.ac.za, and replace ‘StudentNumber’ with your actual student number.
4. A box will pop up and prompt you to enter your login details.
5. Enter your student number as the previous email address.
6. Enter your UKZN Lan password, and then you will be logged in to your UKZN Email.

UKZN Lan password:

All first-year students and returning students have a default password set up. To log in, you will use your student number as a username and Stu@ddmmyyyy for your default password (replace the dd with the day of your birth, the mm with your month of birth and the yyyy with your year of birth).

To change your password, follow these steps:

On-campus:

1. Log in using the details above.
2. The system should prompt you to change your password.
3. If it doesn’t, then once you are on the desktop, hit CTRL, ALT and DEL, and select Change Password.

Off-campus:

1. Go to your web browser.
2. Enter password.ukzn.ac.za (without www) and hit Enter.
3. Enter your email address as above.
4. Enter the default password as your Old Password.
5. Create a new password and save it.

Your password may not be your name or surname. It must have a minimum of eight characters, and it must have a capital letter, a small letter and a number.

UKZN Moodle

Moodle is UKZN’s online learning platform. To log in to Moodle, you will use the same login details that you used to get into your UKZN email. Moodle works best on Google Chrome.

As a student at UKZN, you can use Moodle for the following:

1. Look at course notes
2. See important announcements
3. View, complete and upload assignments
4. Complete evaluations on lecturers at the end of semesters
5. View your grades

Moodle has a mobile app that can be downloaded on iOS as well as Android. You will only be able to view course content on Moodle if you have registered for that course, your lecturer has given you access to the course, and you have waited 24 hours after registration.

With the Moodle app, you will be able to access offline learning materials as well, which is great if you are located in an area with little to no signal on your phone. You can also receive push notifications, ensuring you never miss an important announcement.

Read Also: University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Online Application

Using Moodle

To access Moodle, you can navigate to UKZN’s homepage and then click on Students. Scroll down the page until you see Moodle@UKZN and click on that, and it will take you to Moodle. You can also go directly to Moodle through https://learn2022.ukzn.ac.za/.

Once you are on Moodle’s landing page, you will log in with the same details you used to login to your email. At the top of the page on the right-hand side, there is a place for you to log in. To ensure that you have logged in successfully, you can check the top right corner to see if your name and student number appear there.

If you scroll down, you will see the calendar on the left-hand side, and hovering your cursor over highlighted dates will display information relevant to that date. Underneath the calendar is the main menu, and beneath that is the Guides block.

Scroll back to the top to access your courses. To access your courses, hover over My Courses and click once. All your courses will show up in a drop-down box. You can now click on any module that you are a part of. Once you have opened up your module, you will see there is an Announcements section. Important information relating to your course will be displayed here. To leave the Announcements section, click on the course name or go back to My Courses and choose the course again. You might have several different activities listed under your course, including assignments or tests. There might be extra readings or notes that you need to take note of.

UKZN is using Learn in 2022 instead of Moodle, but the site still operates the same. Course content might have to be migrated over, but lecturers should do this before starting their courses.

All you need to know about Stellenbosch university students (MySun)

Established over 100 years ago in 1981, Stellenbosch University is a school with a carefully cultivated history that precedes it, one that is both rich and inspiring. Nestled within the Boland Mountains in the idyllic town of Stellenbosch, this university is internationally recognised as an institution of academic excellence. As such, it attracts students from near and far, both South African and international. Stellenbosch University has the highest rates of success in all of South Africa, and as such, students should know that they are enrolled at a school with a reputation that has been earned.

Whether you’re applying to – or studying at – Stellenbosch University, you need to access the Stellenbosch University portal commonly referred to as My SUN because of its URL. This portal allows you to access everything related to SU online. The portal is an easy way to track your application, check your student emails, access information and resources about your financing, and apply for student accommodation, among many other things.

If you would like to learn more about Stellenbosch University’s student portal, MySun, and how to access and operate it, continue reading ahead.

We walk you through how to access MySun with this Stellenbosch University students portal login and guide.

How To Create A MySun Profile

To access the MySun portal, you need to have created a university account first.

You can do this by visiting the university’s website at sun.ac.za, selecting your language preference. Once redirected to the official home page, click on “Students” on the tab and then select “Prospective Student.” Once redirected to the Maties portal, click on “Apply” and then select “Apply” you will then be able to sign up for credentials you can use on the Stellenbosch University Students portal.

How To Login To Stellenbosch University Student Portal (MySun)

Once you’ve signed up by providing your details, you will have the necessary login credentials to sign in to the MySun portal. To access the MySun portal, you can click here or click on MySun when visiting the university’s website.

Once you’re on the MySun portal, you will also need to select between undergraduate, postgraduate, and staff.

If you’re a prospective first-year student or a returning undergraduate student, select “Undergraduate,” you will then be redirected to the portal. To sign in, you need to click e-register on the top of the page. You will then need to insert the username and password you used when applying to the university.

You can also navigate through the search options to track your accommodation application, review your student account, etc.

Click on any one of the options you need or use the search bar to accelerate navigating the page.

How To Change Your MySun Password

If you realise you’ve forgotten your password, there’s no need to panic. Creating a new one is easy. However, save your MySun password in a secure location – not a public PC – so you won’t forget it again. However, if you find yourself in a position where you’ve to reset your MySun password, follow the links below to reset it.

Step 1: Download The Citrix Gateway

If you are working remotely, you can only access the password manager by downloading the Citrix Gateway. The Citrix Gateway is a VPN that allows you to access the school’s network securely. Follow the prompts to set up the VPN.

Step 2: Enter the Details on File To Reset

Once you have the VPN installed, go to the MySun portal and click on forgot password. You will need to enter the external email address or phone number you used when signing up for a MySun account, as the school will send you an OTP to confirm that you want to reset your password.

Step 3: Choose a Strong Password

To avoid unauthorised access to your Stellenbosch University student login, be sure to select a strong password that has a good mix of uppercase, lowercase and special characters.

The steps outlined above should help you access your Student University students portal login. But, if you’re still having trouble, consider going to the IT Self Help Portal.

MySun Login and Guide:

Now, you may be wondering, what is MySun? What is it about this student portal that I need to know?

Well, let us tell you. This student portal is something all new and returning students will use and rely on heavily. From your Student Profile to information regarding financial aid and even checking your ongoing or final grades, MySun is something that you will be using every day, all year long.

Before we get into all that MySun allows you to do, let’s go over how to access the portal. If you are a new student at Stellenbosch University, you will be required to make an account. To gain access to MySun and its varying features, follow these quick and easy steps:

• Using a device that can access the internet, go to Stellenbosch University’s official website, www.sun.ac.za
• From their home page, you will see a list of tabs at the very top – select MySun.
• Alternatively, you can access the portal directly from this link: https://midtier.sun.ac.za/html-navbar/home.htmlThe portal has four different menus to choose from, which can be found towards the top of the page – these menus are the Undergraduate menu; Postgraduate menu; Staff menu; and Researcher menu.
• Make sure to choose the one that is applicable to you – in this case, it would be the Undergraduate menu.
• You can now log in using your username and password.

Easy, isn’t it?

Now that we know how to log in let’s go over some key features of the student portal. We’ll also discuss what to do if you are experiencing difficulties with the platform, as well as some important tips.

MySun has it all, really. New and returning students will be using the student portal for the following reasons:

• To register for courses – course selection is a very important part of your studies, of course. MySun allows students to view the course offerings and make selections through the portal and is very easy to use
• To pay your semester fees and other fees – with all of the information in one place, making payments will be stress and hassle-free
• Transcripts – these can also be accessed through MySun without issue.
• Grade results – no more uncertainty or going back and forth through email! Your grades will be uploaded directly to MySun
• Dates – with so many dates to remember throughout the year, it can be more than easy to lose track. However, with MySun, you will be able to see the Academic calendar whenever you wish
• Admissions – for new or transferring students, you will be able to see your admission status here. MySun also lets you view and print your admission letter.
• Extra credit hours – need extra credit? MySun has got you covered! Here, you can apply for extra credit hours by following some easy steps.
• And so much more! Things like bursaries and other financial aid information and opportunities can be found while using MySun, as well as links and resources to medical insurance on campus.

Here’s a quick tip: Navigating the student portal is meant to be easy, but we recommend familiarising yourself with it as soon as possible. Check out the various pages and resources available once you are able to log in, and you will become an expert at using MySun before you know it!

Now, let’s go over how to reset or recover your password if need be:

• From the student portal website, https://midtier.sun.ac.za/html-navbar/home.html, you can select ‘Manage Password’, which is located towards the top of the page.
• After clicking this, you will be given two options: ‘Change current password,’ or ‘Forgot password?’
• Click on the option applicable to you, and then follow the instructions given! It may require you to use the email address associated with your account, so be sure that you have access to this.

Read Also: Stellenbosch University Online Application

Now, for one last tip: Make sure to never save your password to public devices – this includes devices within the University Libraries, computer laboratories, or cafes on campus. Your log-in should be kept private and confidential!

Good luck with using MySun; we trust you will be an expert before you know it!

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) was founded in 1960. There are more than 23,000 students, and there are seven different faculties. These faculties are the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, the Faculty of Community Health Sciences, the Faculty of Dentistry, the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, the Faculty of Education, the Faculty of Law, and the Faculty of Natural Sciences. UWC’s main campus is located in Bellville in the Western Cape. The Faculty of Dentistry is located in Tygerberg as well as Mitchells Plain.

UWC Student Portal

UWC has an online student portal, and this is used for applying to UWC. New students apply online and can check their application status as well. If you receive an offer to study at UWC, this is also where you will respond to that offer, and you will have three days to accept the offer. If your status says Pending or Awaiting Final Decision, this means that you have been placed on a waiting list. The UWC student portal is also used for registration.

To log in to the student portal, you will use your student number and your South African ID number or Passport.

To register online on the student portal:

1. Log in via https://student.uwc.ac.za/ with your student number and ID/Passport.
2. On the main menu, click on ‘Select modules for registration’.
3. Check that all information is correct.
4. Choose ‘Failed’ modules if there are any, choose your ‘Compulsory’ modules, and then choose any ‘Elective’ modules if there are any.
5. Validate your selection of modules, and make sure there are no errors.
6. View the cost of each module and the total cost of all the modules combined.
7. Accept the terms and conditions.
8. You will receive confirmation that your registration was successful.

UWC iKamva

iKamva is an online learning platform that is used by UWC students. iKamva means ‘future’, which is the way technology is moving.

To log in to UWC iKamva:

1. Go to https://ikamva.uwc.ac.za/portal
2. Log in with your student number, and your password is your ID number or your date of birth (YYYYMMDD) with! St in front.
3. It is advised that students change their password after they have logged in the first time.
4. Click Sign In.

iKamva allows you to access tests and quizzes, as well as assignments. It also gives you access to course materials.

Once you are logged into iKamva, you will use the top navigation menu to navigate through your courses. If you are unable to find your course, click on ‘Sites’ in the top right corner to access all courses. Once you have clicked on ‘Sites’, a drop-down box will appear, with Course Sites listed on the left-hand side and Project Sites on the right-hand side.

There is also space for you to search for courses. Clicking on the course will take you to its page. Once you are in a course, you will be able to view e-tools being used. These are listed on the course page’s left-hand side and include things like a calendar, announcements, course resources, a discussion forum, assignments, and lessons.

Accessing Course Resources on iKamva

On the home page, go to your course. In the navigation menu on the left, click on Course Resources. This will bring up a page that lists all resources added to the course, such as lessons, videos, graphics, and more. Click on a resource to open it. You can right-click on a file to download and save it. This useful if you need to save images, like timetables.

Uploading and Submitting Assignments on iKamva

1. To upload an assignment, navigate to your course.
2. Click on the Assignments icon.
3. You will see which assignments are available to you.
4. Check the Open and Due dates for each assignment.
5. Click on the title of the assignment to submit it.
6. Read through the instructions of the assignment.
7. Assignments can be submitted as an attachment or inline (typed in the textbox provided).
8. Click on Select file from computer to upload your assignment.
9. To finish uploading, click on Submit.
10. You will receive a confirmation message once it has been successfully submitted.

Lessons on iKamva

1. Your lecturer will most likely upload lessons to your course on iKamva.
2. They will choose the name of the lessons but look for the book icon on the left-hand side navigation bar.
3. Lessons might have multiple pages and sub-sections. Click on one of them to expand the contents.
4. Lessons may contain text and images and might have additional pages within the page.
5. There might be media to view within a lesson, such as videos or audio.
6. Tasks, tests, discussion forums, and more can be embedded into your lessons.

Also Read: University of the Western Cape (UWC) Online Application

Tests and Quizzes on iKamva

1. Go to your course.
2. On the navigation block on the left-hand side of the screen, scroll down to Tests and Quizzes.
3. Under Assessments, you will see available tests that you need to take.
4. Click on the test name and then click on Begin Assessment.
5. Once you have finished the test, click on Submit for Grading.
6. You will then go to a confirmation page, and you will need to click on Continue to be able to see your results.
7. This will give you instant access to your test results.

On the home page of iKamva, go to your course, and from there, you will be able to view important announcements on your course’s landing page. You can also go to Announcements on the left-hand side in the navigation block. This will give you access to all previous announcements.

There is also a Discussion Forum that you can access. You can join in on existing discussions, or you can start your own.

iKamva is very user-friendly, and there are plenty of how-to videos on YouTube as well!

How to Apply for NSFAS Online

So, you have been admitted to a university. Congratulations! Now the next step is for you to apply for funding. The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a South African government fund that provides financial relief to students and covers tuition costs, registration fees, food allowance, living costs, academic learning materials, accommodation and transport costs. Please note that the fund will not pay for your accommodation fees if they cover your transport costs.

The tuition costs cover modules that are compulsory for the Degree/Diploma. These are determined by the institution and are directly paid to the student’s fee account. There is no annual cap for the tuition costs.

The accommodation costs are eligible to students who live on and off-campus, subject to the institution’s approval. For private accommodation, the amount paid by NSFAS is capped to the cost of the institution’s residence costs. If students live in private accommodation, they are eligible for transport costs to and from the institution.

The learning materials include books, e-books and all other learning materials that are required for the successful completion of the degree or diploma and the amount paid is decided annually by NSFAS.

All students, including students who live off and on campus, are eligible for meal allowances. For students living in catering residences, the meal allowances may be in the form of meal vouchers, while they are in the form of a cash amount for students who live in self-catering residences.

Students living with disabilities may qualify for allowances to buy assistive devices. These are devices that are deemed necessary and essential to the student’s learning environment. These devices include but are not limited to wheelchairs, hearing aids, computers, recorders and walking sticks. NSFAS determines the funding amount.

Before applying for NSFAS funding, it is important to make sure that:     

• You are a South African citizen with a South African ID.
• You have a matric certificate.
• Your household income does not exceed R350 000 per annum.
• Your combined household income does not exceed R600 000 per annum if you are disabled.
•  You have checked the list of funded qualifications and are certain that your programme is funded.

If you meet all the abovementioned requirements, the next step is to make sure you have all the supporting documents.

These are:

• A copy of your ID or birth certificate.
• A copy of your parents, spouse or guardian’s ID.
• Disability Annexure A Form if you are disabled.
• A filled out Vulnerable Child Declaration Form.
• Your proof of income or your parents, spouse or guardian’s proof of income.
• Retrenchment letter if applicable.
• Death certificate if applicable.
• Divorce decree if applicable.

Now, if you have all the required documents, then you are ready to apply.

To apply, you need to:

1. Go to mynsfas.org.za or follow this link.
2. Click on register and fill out your details.
3. Attach your documents and click on register.
4. After registering, you will receive a One-Time Pin (OTP).
5. Type in the OTP and submit the registration form.
6. After submitting, you will receive a confirmation email and SMS.
7. Please fill out your application form and submit it after attaching all the required supporting documents.

NSFAS has recently announced that they will no longer provide funding for the following qualifications:

– Qualifications that have the word “National” in the title

• BTech qualifications
• Bridging programmes
• B Ed qualifications
• B Curr qualifications
• Legacy two-year diplomas
• Legacy NQF Level 8 qualifications

Funding will also not be awarded if you:

• Were funded by NSFAS during the previous year
• Have completed an undergraduate degree or diploma
• Are not a citizen of South African
• Are looking to pursue a short course or programme
• Are seeking funding for a postgraduate qualification with the exception of:

1. BTech – Architecture / Architectural Technology
2. BTech – Engineering (all disciplines), Cartography, Forestry
3. BTech – Biokinetics, Biomedical Technology, Biotechnology
4. BTech – Chiropractic, Homoeopathy, all Nursing
5. BTech – Clinical or Dental Technology, Emergency Medical Care
6. Postgraduate Certificate in Education
7. Postgraduate Diploma in Accounting
8. LLB

Please visit nsfas.org.za to see when applications open and close to ensure that you apply on time.