School Fee Exemption Policy Explained: SASA Rights & How to Apply

Understanding school fee exemption South Africa rights is crucial for parents facing financial hardship and school administrators managing fee collection. The South African Schools Act (SASA) of 1996 provides clear legal frameworks ensuring no learner is denied education due to inability to pay fees. This guide explains fee exemption policies, eligibility criteria, application processes, and school obligations under SASA and the National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NSSF).

If you’re struggling to pay school fees, you have legal rights. SASA protects learners from exclusion, and schools must provide exemption mechanisms. This guide covers who qualifies, how to apply, required documentation, school obligations, differences between Quintile 1–3 (no-fee) and Quintile 4–5 (fee-paying) schools, and the appeals process.

What Is School Fee Exemption Under SASA?

School fee exemption is a legal right under the South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996) allowing parents or guardians to apply for full or partial exemption from school fees if they cannot afford them. Section 39 requires all public schools to adopt a fee exemption policy, and Section 40 mandates that schools cannot exclude, suspend, or deny learners access to educational activities based on non-payment if exemption has been applied for or granted.

The exemption system recognises that many South African families face genuine financial hardship due to unemployment, illness, death of a breadwinner, or other circumstances. Families should not have to choose between paying school fees and meeting basic needs.

The Role of Quintile Classification

South African public schools are classified into five quintiles (1–5) based on the socio-economic status of their surrounding communities. This classification determines government funding levels and fee structures:

Quintile	Description	Government Funding	Fee Status	Exemption Eligibility
Quintile 1	Poorest communities	Highest funding (100%)	No-fee school	Automatic exemption (no fees charged)
Quintile 2	Very poor communities	High funding (95%)	No-fee school	Automatic exemption (no fees charged)
Quintile 3	Poor communities	Moderate-high funding (90%)	No-fee school	Automatic exemption (no fees charged)
Quintile 4	Middle-income communities	Moderate funding (60%)	Fee-paying school	Must apply for exemption if unable to pay
Quintile 5	Wealthiest communities	Lowest funding (40%)	Fee-paying school	Must apply for exemption if unable to pay

Important distinction: Quintile 1–3 schools are designated as “no-fee schools” and cannot charge compulsory school fees. If a Quintile 1–3 school attempts to charge fees, parents are automatically exempt. Quintile 4–5 schools are “fee-paying schools” and can charge fees, but must provide exemption mechanisms for qualifying families.

Who Qualifies for School Fee Exemption?

Eligibility for fee exemption depends on your household income relative to the school’s annual fees. The National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NSSF) provides clear income thresholds.

Full Exemption Criteria

You qualify for full exemption (100% of fees waived) if your combined annual household income is less than 10 times the annual school fees. For example, if annual fees are R5,000, you qualify if household income is less than R50,000 per year.

Household income includes all salaries, wages, social grants, rental income, business income, and any other regular income sources from both parents/guardians, all dependents, and any adults contributing to household expenses.

Partial Exemption Criteria

You qualify for partial exemption if household income is between 10 and 30 times annual fees, with exemption decreasing as income increases:

10–15 times fees: 75% exemption (pay 25%)
15–20 times fees: 50% exemption (pay 50%)
20–25 times fees: 25% exemption (pay 75%)
25–30 times fees: No exemption (pay full fees)

Example: If annual fees are R6,000, household income R60,000–R90,000 pays R1,500 (75% exemption), R90,000–R120,000 pays R3,000 (50% exemption), R120,000–R150,000 pays R4,500 (25% exemption), and above R180,000 pays full R6,000.

Special Circumstances

Even if your income exceeds the thresholds, you may still qualify for exemption under special circumstances:

Death of a breadwinner: If the primary income earner has died within the past 12 months
Retrenchment or job loss: If a breadwinner has lost employment and is actively seeking work
Medical expenses: If household medical expenses exceed 20% of annual income
Multiple learners: If you have three or more children at fee-paying schools simultaneously
Disability: If a household member has a disability requiring ongoing medical care or support

Schools must consider these circumstances when reviewing exemption applications, even if income thresholds aren’t met.

How to Apply for School Fee Exemption

The application process should be straightforward and accessible. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Obtain the Application Form

Request an exemption application form from your school’s administration office. Schools must provide these forms free of charge in all official languages used at the school. You can also download forms from your provincial education department website.

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

You’ll need proof of household income and circumstances. Required documents include:

Essential documents:

Completed exemption application form
Certified copies of IDs for all household members
Certified copies of birth certificates for all children
Proof of income: payslips (last 3 months), bank statements, tax certificates (if self-employed), or affidavit if unemployed
Proof of social grants (SASSA letters or bank statements)
Proof of residence (utility bill, lease agreement, or affidavit)

Additional documents for special circumstances:

Death certificate, retrenchment letter, medical certificates/bills, or disability certificates (as applicable)

Important: All copies must be certified by a Commissioner of Oaths. Schools should only keep certified copies, not originals.

Step 3: Complete and Submit

Fill out the form completely and accurately, including all household members’ details, income breakdown, expenses, and special circumstances. Submit with all supporting documents before the deadline (usually within 30 days of fee notification) and request a receipt confirming submission.

Step 4: Application Review

The school’s SGB must establish an exemption committee (including SGB members, principal, and financial administrator) to review applications. Schools must respond within 30 days, considering income accuracy, document verification, special circumstances, and SASA/NSSF compliance.

Step 5: Receive Decision

The school must provide a written decision stating whether exemption is granted (full or partial), the percentage, reasons, and appeals information. If approved, exemption applies for the entire academic year (reapplication required annually). If denied, you have the right to appeal.

School Obligations for Fee Exemption

Schools have clear legal obligations under SASA. Every public school must:

1. Provide exemption policy: Have a written fee exemption policy adopted by the SGB, available in all official languages, displayed prominently, and included in admission packs.

2. Cannot exclude learners: Schools are prohibited from denying admission, suspending learners, preventing participation in activities, withholding report cards, or charging fees at Quintile 1–3 schools based on non-payment.

3. Process applications fairly: Accept applications within 30 days of fee notification, review within 30 days, provide written decisions with clear reasons, maintain confidentiality, and treat all applications consistently.

4. Maintain records: Keep exemption records for audit purposes and report statistics to provincial education departments annually.

Common Violations and Your Rights

Common violations include charging fees at Quintile 1–3 schools, refusing exemption forms, delaying processing, denying without proper review, or excluding learners for non-payment.

If your rights are violated: Document everything, contact the SGB, escalate to your provincial education department’s district office, file a formal complaint with the HOD, or seek legal assistance from Legal Aid South Africa.

Remember: No learner can be excluded from school for non-payment if they qualify for exemption or have applied for exemption.

Quintile 1–3 vs Quintile 4–5: Key Differences

Quintile 1–3 Schools (No-Fee Schools)

Located in poorest communities, these schools receive highest government funding (90–100%), cannot charge compulsory fees, and all learners are automatically exempt. No application needed — if a school attempts to charge fees, this is illegal and should be reported. Schools may request voluntary contributions, but these cannot be compulsory.

Quintile 4–5 Schools (Fee-Paying Schools)

Located in middle-income to wealthy communities, these schools receive lower government funding (40–60%) and can charge fees (subject to SGB approval), but must provide exemption mechanisms. Parents must apply for exemption if unable to pay, schools must process applications, and learners cannot be excluded if exemption is pending or approved. Even at fee-paying schools, no learner can be denied education if they qualify for exemption.

The Appeals Process

If your exemption application is denied, you have the right to appeal for an independent review. You can appeal if your application was denied (but you believe you qualify), you received partial exemption (but believe you qualify for full), the school failed to process within 30 days, or you believe the decision was unfair or incorrect.

How to Appeal

Step 1: Request an appeal form from the school administration (schools must provide these).

Step 2: Submit your appeal within 14 days, including the completed form, copy of original application and decision, additional supporting documents, and clear explanation of why the decision was incorrect.

Step 3: The appeal is reviewed by your provincial education department’s district office or an independent appeals committee.

Step 4: You’ll receive a written decision within 30 days. The appeal decision is final and binding.

Tips for success: Act quickly (submit within 14 days), be specific about why the decision was wrong, provide evidence, stay professional, and keep records of all correspondence.

Best Practices for Schools Managing Fee Exemptions

For school administrators, managing exemptions efficiently is essential for compliance. Key practices include:

1. Develop comprehensive policy: Clearly define eligibility, procedures, documentation requirements, timelines, and appeals process.

2. Train staff: Ensure all administrative staff understand SASA requirements, train exemption committee members, provide sensitivity training, and keep staff updated on policy changes.

3. Use technology: Modern school management systems like Fundisa streamline exemption management by tracking applications, calculating exemption percentages automatically, generating reports for SGB and provincial submissions, maintaining secure records, sending automated reminders, and integrating with fee collection systems.

4. Communicate proactively: Include exemption information in admission packs, display policy prominently, send deadline reminders, provide forms in all official languages, and offer assistance to parents.

5. Maintain confidentiality: Keep financial information confidential, limit access to authorised staff, ensure exemption status isn’t disclosed, and secure sensitive documents.

Common challenges: Incomplete applications (provide checklists and assistance), late applications (allow with valid reasons), verification difficulties (accept affidavits for informal employment), and budget impact (plan for 5–15% exemption rates).

Financial Impact and Budget Planning

Most fee-paying schools see exemption rates of 5–20% (Quintile 4: 10–20%, Quintile 5: 5–15%), varying based on local economic conditions, fee levels relative to community income, unemployment rates, and communication of exemption rights.

When setting fees, SGBs should estimate exemption rates based on demographics and historical data, factor exemptions into income calculations, consider government funding (40–60% for Quintile 4–5), plan for shortfalls, and review annually. Schools must balance affordability with financial sustainability — fees too high increase exemption rates, while fees too low may compromise educational quality.

The Bottom Line

School fee exemption South Africa is a legal right protected under SASA, ensuring that financial circumstances don’t prevent learners from accessing education. Whether you’re a parent facing financial hardship or a school administrator managing exemptions, understanding the legal framework, eligibility criteria, and application processes is essential.

Key takeaways:

Quintile 1–3 schools cannot charge fees — exemption is automatic
Quintile 4–5 schools can charge fees but must provide exemption mechanisms
Full exemption applies if household income is less than 10 times annual fees
Partial exemption applies if income is 10–30 times annual fees (sliding scale)
Schools cannot exclude learners for non-payment if exemption is granted or applied for
Appeals process exists if applications are denied
Annual reapplication is required, but processes should be streamlined

For parents: Know your rights, gather proper documentation, apply on time, and appeal if necessary. For schools: Develop clear policies, train staff, use technology to streamline processes, and maintain compliance with SASA requirements.

Managing fee exemptions efficiently requires accurate tracking, proper documentation, and clear communication. Fundisa tracks fee exemptions and generates exemption reports automatically, calculating exemption percentages based on income thresholds, maintaining secure records, and generating reports for SGB meetings and provincial submissions. Explore Fundisa’s fee management features to see how automated exemption tracking can streamline your school’s financial administration.

For more guidance, see our SGB Financial Management Guide and School Fee Collection Strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a school refuse to accept my exemption application?

No. Schools are legally required to accept exemption applications from any parent who requests one. If a school refuses to provide an application form or accept your application, this violates SASA Section 39. Contact your provincial education department’s district office to report the violation. Schools must provide forms free of charge and in all official languages used at the school.

Do I need to reapply for exemption every year?

Yes, exemption applications are valid for one academic year only. You must reapply each year, but the process should be simpler if your financial circumstances haven’t changed significantly. Some schools allow simplified renewal applications if your situation is unchanged — check with your school’s administration. Keep copies of previous applications to speed up the renewal process.

What happens if I can’t afford the partial exemption amount (e.g., 25% of fees)?

If you genuinely cannot afford even the reduced amount after partial exemption, you can request a review based on special circumstances. Document your situation (medical expenses, multiple children at fee-paying schools, unexpected expenses) and submit a written request to the exemption committee explaining why the partial amount is unaffordable. Schools should consider genuine hardship cases, though full exemption beyond income thresholds is at the committee’s discretion.

Can schools charge “voluntary contributions” instead of fees at Quintile 1–3 schools?

Quintile 1–3 schools cannot charge compulsory fees, but they can request voluntary contributions. However, these contributions must be truly voluntary — schools cannot make them a condition of admission, participation in activities, or receiving report cards. If a “voluntary” contribution is effectively compulsory, this violates SASA. Report such practices to your provincial education department. Schools should clearly distinguish between compulsory fees (illegal at Quintile 1–3) and voluntary contributions (allowed but must be optional).