Central Applications Office (CAO) Project

 

 

The Central Applications Office (CAO) was created in order to simplify applications for tertiary study places within KwaZulu Natal (KZN) South Africa.  The organisation is responsible for overseeing undergraduate applications to colleges and universities within KZN. The primary mission of the Central Applications Office is to centrally process applications in a fair and efficient manner.  The application process includes choice of institution and course as well as identifying any requirement for financial aid.  Applicants are offered places according to the merit of their applications and marks.  If a request for Financial Aid has been included in the application the relevant financial aid forms are sent to that applicant and all completed.  For Financial Aid applicant, when the final Matric marks have been awarded the applicant is automatically able to take up their offered place without need for prohibitive deposits or registration fees.  These fees have previously been an insurmountable hurdle to bright but impoverished applicants.

 

The project works with selected Quintile 1,2 and 3 schools in Embo, KwaNyuswa and KwaNcgolosi to assist learners in setting themselves up for success by selecting appropriate subjects and making applications which have a good chance of success.  Quintile 1, 2 and 3 schools are schools which were designated for 'Black' and 'Coloureds' under the previous apartheid system.  They are located in areas of high deprivation and children attending these schools all receive free school meals.  Quintile 1 schools are the most impoverished.

 

We also work with iKhethelo Children's Village, providing career advice to the orphans housed there.  https://ikhethelo.org