The Fundi App is a powerful tool designed to make student finance easier and more organised. It helps thousands of South African students every year manage their education funding. With rising costs for tuition, accommodation, textbooks, meals, and other essentials, it’s important to know how much control students have over their funds once a loan or bursary is approved. One common question is whether students can choose which expenses to pay for directly inside the Fundi App.
The short answer is yes—Fundi offers a flexible, user-friendly system where you can manage your funds across different expense categories. Nevertheless, the level of control you have can depend on how the funds were approved, what they are meant for, and how your institution or sponsor sets the rules.
Getting to Know How Fundi Allocates Funds
Fundi does not release loan or bursary money directly into your bank account. Instead, the funds are made available through your Fundi Wallet, which is connected to your student profile and managed through the Fundi App.
Once your loan or bursary has been approved, Fundi divides your funds into specific spending categories based on:
- The details of your loan or bursary agreement
- The approved cost structure from your institution
- How much was allocated for each type of expense
These categories usually include:
- Tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Books and study materials
- Meals
- Transport
- Devices (e.g. laptops, calculators)
Can You Choose Where to Allocate Your Funds?
Yes, but with certain conditions. The Fundi App gives you visibility and control over your approved funds, but it does not allow you to transfer money freely between categories unless permitted.
1. Pre-Approved Categories Cannot Be Changed Without Permission
Each expense category is loaded based on your agreement with Fundi or your sponsor. For example:
- If R20,000 is allocated for tuition, that amount will be locked for paying fees only.
- If R8,000 is allocated for meals, you can use that amount at approved food outlets only.
You cannot move unused meal funds to pay for books unless Fundi or your sponsor allows it.
2. You Can View and Use Funds Within Each Category
While you can’t move funds between categories without approval, you can manage spending within each one. Inside the Fundi App, you can:
- View how much is available in each category
- Track where and how your funds are being used
- Access a list of approved vendors (e.g., bookstores, food outlets, transport providers)
- Use the virtual card or student card to pay at those vendors
This helps you stay within your budget and avoid overspending.
3. Sponsors and Institutions Set the Rules
The flexibility you have depends on your sponsor, which could be:
- Fundi (if you took a personal student loan)
- A bursary provider (such as NSFAS or a corporate sponsor)
- Your university or college
Some sponsors give you more freedom, while others set strict limits. Fundi always follows the sponsor’s rules when managing fund distribution.
Using the Fundi App to Manage Your Education Funds
The Fundi App is built to make money management simple for students. Once your account is set up and loaded with funds, here’s what you can do inside the app:
1. View Available Balances
Each category will show:
- The total amount approved
- How much has been spent
- The remaining balance
This gives you a clear picture of your current financial status and helps avoid running out of funds mid-semester.
2. Pay for Approved Goods and Services
Using your Fundi Wallet or linked student card, you can pay for services or goods at:
- Campus food outlets
- Approved bookstores
- Device suppliers partnered with Fundi
- Approved accommodation providers
Every transaction is recorded inside the app, so you can track spending in real time.
3. Monitor and Control Your Budget
The app lets you:
- Set daily or weekly limits (if your sponsor allows it)
- Get instant alerts for each transaction
- Check your spending history anytime
This is useful for avoiding unnecessary purchases and staying within your academic budget.
What If You Need to Change a Fund Category?
Sometimes students have valid reasons to request a reallocation of funds. For example:
- You moved to cheaper accommodation and want to use the savings for textbooks
- Your tuition cost dropped because you changed your course
- You no longer need a device but need extra funds for transport
In these situations, you can:
- Contact Fundi via email or phone
- Submit a written motivation or request
- Provide supporting documents from your institution or sponsor
Fundi will review the request and may adjust your fund categories if approved.
Advantages of Fundi’s Controlled Allocation System
Although it may seem strict, Fundi’s system is designed to protect your education and make sure your money is used for its intended purpose. Some key benefits include:
- Avoiding misuse of funds – Money meant for tuition won’t be spent on non-academic items.
- Improved financial discipline – Helps you focus spending on essentials like study materials and food.
- Sponsor accountability – Sponsors trust the system because it ensures their money goes toward actual education costs.
- Easy budgeting – By separating categories, you know exactly how much to spend on each area.
Conclusion: The Fundi App Offers Flexibility Within Set Boundaries
Students using the Fundi App can manage their funds across different education-related categories with confidence. While you cannot freely shift money between categories without permission, you do have control over how funds are spent within each approved section. This system supports responsible spending and ensures your educational needs are met first.
If you ever need to make changes, you can reach out to Fundi and explain your situation. With the right documentation and a clear reason, your request can be considered. Using the Fundi App wisely helps you stay focused on your studies, manage your budget, and avoid financial stress throughout the academic year.