Organisation : The University of the Free State (UFS)
Facility Name : Apply For Off-Campus Accommodation Accreditation
University Location : Bloemfontein, South Africa
Website : https://www.ufs.ac.za/residences/housing-and-residence-affairs/information/off-campus-accommodation/application-procedure
How To Apply For UFS Off-Campus Accommodation Accreditation?
** The University of the Free State (hereinafter referred to as the “UFS”) places a high premium on the importance of the availability of good quality accommodation for every individual that is enrolled for tertiary studies and registered as a student of the UFS (the “Student(s)”).
Related / Similar Facility : UFS Residence Accommodation
** The UFS accordingly endeavours to accredit and make private student housing available to its students that is of a high standard in line with National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) applicable directives and guidelines and that conforms to the regulatory framework that applies to student housing in South Africa.
** Accreditation with reference to private housing and Off-Campus student accommodation refers to the recognition and certification by the UFS of a property,confirming that it is suitable to accommodate students and that it complies with the applicable norms and standards as contemplated below including compliance with applicable Municipal by-laws.
** Furthermore, the UFS requires all Off-Campus accommodation providers who are desirous to be accredited by the UFS to observe the applicable norms and standards prescribed by the Higher Education Act, 101 of 1997, as amended from time to time, as far as it applies to student housing and accommodation services.
** Every Off-Campus accommodation provider who is desirous to obtain accreditation to provide Off-Campus accommodation services to students of the UFS shall be required to comply with the applicable Policy on the Minimum Norms and Standards for Student Housing at Public Universities
** In addition to the aforesaid, every private accommodation provider who is desirous to obtain accreditation to provide Off-Campus accommodation services to students of the UFS shall be required to comply with the official UFS policies, procedures, terms, and conditions with specific reference to the UFS Policy on the Accreditation of Off- Campus Student Accommodation (the “UFS Student Housing Policy”).
** Applicant shall mean the owner or person or agent or representative, who warrants that he/she is duly authorized thereto, applying for accreditation as an Off-Campus student accommodation provider.
Applying For Accreditation
** To be considered for potential accreditation as an Off-Campus student accommodation provider, the prescribed application form attached hereto as “Annexure D” must be completed in full and submitted together with the supporting documentation as listed in “Annexure A” (Criteria for Accreditation) of the UFS Student Housing Policy.
** Kindly note that only applications that are completed in full and accompanied by all the supporting documentation as required by the UFS, will be considered by the UFS.
** All applications must be submitted during the year preceding the year for which accreditation is required on or before the closing date as determined by the Housing and Residence Affairs (“HRA”).
** Kindly note that no applications will be accepted by the UFS after the closing date.
** Application forms must be submitted via email to OffCampusAccom@ufs.ac.za and the UFS will not accept hand-delivered application forms. Applications sent to an individual will not be considered either.
** By applying to the UFS, the applicant acknowledges and agrees that he/she has familiarized himself/herself with the applicable procedures and minimum accreditation requirements of the UFS that apply to Off-Campus accommodation, as well as the terms and conditions of the UFS Student Housing Policy.
** The applicant will be the person/agency/representative with whom the UFS corresponds with.
** The accommodation provider shall timeously conclude written lease agreements with all its students being accommodated at the property, which will regulate the provision of Off-Campus accommodation to students by the accommodation provider.
** The accommodation provider shall be solely responsible for obtaining payment from students. The UFS is expressly excluded from any responsibility and/or liability for any non-payment of any accommodation fees of students.
** Accreditation as an Off-Campus student address is only valid for the duration of the year as stated in the application.
** If the UFS is responsible for the payment of students’ accommodation fees, such payment shall be made upon presentation of a valid student list, with amounts to Finance.
** The UFS reserves the right to effect payment either directly to the relevant student or, alternatively, to the accommodation provider, subject to the applicable guidelines of the Department of Higher Education and Training.
Accreditation Process
Once a completed application form, as contemplated in paragraph 2 (Applying for Accreditation) above, has been submitted on or before the due date for such submission, and the application has met all the official minimum accreditation requirements, the accreditation process, as detailed in the UFS Student Housing Policy, will commence.