Financial hold

This usually means your finances are not in order yet. Here's how to resolve it:

• Pay your minimum fees and settle any debt from the 2025 academic year.
• NSFAS students must wait for their funding to be approved.
• Approved NSFAS students with outstanding debt must sign an Acknowledgement of Debt (AOD*) - this allows you to register while acknowledging outstanding debt.
• Any other bursary/loan award letters must be uploaded via the Student Portal under My Documents / Document centre
• Once resolved, your financial hold will be lifted, and you can register online.

*For the AOD:
Take note that the balance reflected on the AOD represents the outstanding balance as at 31 December 2025. This balance relates to debt carried over from the previous academic year.

Please note that the AOD will ONLY be used in cases where accounts are handed over for further debt collection. In such instances, the amount handed over will be the actual balance on the student's account as at the date of handover, and NOT the balance reflected on the signed AOD. Accounts where the outstanding debt is because of late payments from NSFAS, will not be handed over for debt collection.

Transfer Enrolment Hold

If you have been accepted for a new or updated version of your programme, this needs to be processed before you can register.
You do not have to do anything. NWU staff will make the change on your record and notify you once it has been done, and then you can register. If you also have a financial hold, that must be resolved separately before you can register.

International Hold

International students may need to submit extra documents. Please contact the Global Engagement Office and ensure your visa and study documents are up to date. Once received, your hold will be removed.

Studies Terminated

If your studies were terminated due to academic progress rules, you won't be able to register unless you appeal successfully through your faculty.
Reach out directly to your faculty advisor or academic administration office for guidance on the next steps.

Student Records Hold

This relates to documents like USAf exemptions, Grade R, or higher degrees approvals.

What to do: Submit a request through the Student Helpdesk on the Student Portal. Select “Student Records” and choose the relevant subcategory.