How To Pay Your CAO Application Fee

The Central Application Office (CAO) requires applicants to pay an application fee. However, theirs works a little differently than other college and university applications and is rather an administration fee.

CAO requires only a single administration fee which would let you apply for a combination of up to six programmes at any of the institutions partnered with CAO. The institution you apply to will only be able to see your application once they received the fee.

This means that you when you pay one application fee, this will cover all the applications done for all Universities in the province, using CAO.

This fee is non-refundable. CAO administration fees are as follows:

To start studies in January:

• If fee reaches CAO on or before closing 31 October
  • SA citizens: R250
  • International Applicants: R300
• If fee reaches CAO on or after 1 November
  • SA citizens: R470
  • International Applicants: R580

To start studies in July:

• If fee reaches CAO on or before closing 31 May
  • SA citizens: R250
  • International Applicants: R300
• If fee reaches CAO on or after 1 June
  • ​​​​​​​SA citizens: R470
  • International Applicants: R580

Here’s how to pay the administration fee:

Online

1. Go to the CAO website
2. Submit your application
3. After clicking on ‘Process my application’ a message will appear telling your how you may pay the application administration fee
4. If you submitted your application online or through the app and want to pay at a later date:
   • Click on ‘My application’ on the homepage
   • Enter your CAO or ID number
   • Click ‘Submit’
   • Click ‘Pay Now by Credit Card’
5. If you submitted your application through a hard copy and want to pay at a later date:
   • Click on ‘My application’ on the homepage
   • Enter your CAO number that’s on your application form
   • Click ‘Submit’
   • Click ‘Make a payment’

Physically

You can submit the fee at any EasyPay outlet like Shoprite, Checkers, PicknPay, Boxer Superstores, Woolworths, etc.

You will have to present your CAO number and ID number. You should use your unique EasyPay number as the reference when making payment.

You can also pay at the CAO offices which can be found at Gate 11, May Thiphe Street, Cato Manor, Durban. You can only pay with card.

CAO urges applicants to make sure that their administration fees are paid in full on or before the closing dates of applications.

Should you be a NSFAS student, you will need to tick the Financial Aid field when completing you CAO application.