Mavis Vannie Lavis Gives Advice on Student Funding

A Cape Town parent of a prospective law student wrote to Mavis Vannie Lavis asking for Student Funding Advice and options other than NSFAS

Mavis Lavis 13 February 2026, 14:01

Dear Mavis Vannie Lavis

Trust you are well, and find the below communication in good spirit. I was hoping m’am could perhaps direct me, and or offer some sort of assistance, in helping us find my daughter a bursary.

She would like to study law, but have been declined every, even NSFAS, (according to them we earn 350k per annum, don’t even know where they got this information from, since they didn’t even ask us to submit any form of documentation). We tried to apply for a student loan, but because we were a little behind on payments, that didn’t work out as well. And to see your daughter cry, because she was so excited, is just heart breaking.

If you can perhaps direct us, to any bursaries that will help us, it would be gladly appreciated. She would have been the first one to go to College … Should u need any additional information, you may contact me… (Please keep me anonymous, if you are going to post it on your page).

Kind regards
Anonymous

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Dear Anonymous

This is really sad. Yes, NSFAS has faced major challenges in recent years: delays, very low acceptance rates, delayed payment to universities and ongoing concerns about fraud and governance. Students are often left waiting even when classes have already started.

I would strongly caution against student loans in the current economic climate, they are very expensive. Law firms look for resilience and the ability to handle pressure and difficult clients, so gaining life experience for your daughter can be valuable. As an alternative path, consider applying to the Western Cape Government Youth Development Programme first, and then your daughter can assess what field(s) of law she wants to foray into.

Always remember: A delayed dream is not a denied dream.
Helpful resources for your daughter: