Can I Split One Fundi Loan Across Two Academic Departments or Faculties?

If you’re a South African student planning to pursue two different courses at the same time, possibly in two faculties or academic departments, you might be wondering: can you use one Fundi loan to pay for both?

This is an important question for students handling dual qualifications, interdisciplinary degrees, or programs that involve funding from different departments within the same university. It’s not just about receiving the loan—you also need to understand how the funds will be disbursed, whether Fundi supports split payments, and what your institution allows.

Fundi loans are designed to help students cover a wide range of education-related costs, such as tuition, accommodation, textbooks, and other study needs. But what happens when a student is enrolled under more than one faculty? Can a single loan be shared across both departments? Will Fundi approve it, or will they require two separate loan applications?

Read on to get clear answers to these questions and explanations of what you need to know if you’re considering splitting one Fundi loan across two academic departments.

Can You Use a Fundi Loan for Multiple Faculties or Courses?

This is a typical question for students who are enrolled in more than one academic department or are studying for a dual degree. The simple answer is, it depends on how the institution issues its invoices and how Fundi processes the loan application.

Fundi does not openly state on its website whether one loan can be split across two faculties. However, what matters most is how your university structures your billing and how the loan request is presented.

Scenario 1: One Invoice, Multiple Faculties

If your institution issues one combined invoice that includes tuition or costs from both departments, then Fundi can approve a single loan based on that invoice. In this case, there is no need to split the loan, because all charges are already included in one request.

This often happens in joint degree programs or interdisciplinary courses where tuition is handled centrally by the institution.

Scenario 2: Two Invoices, Two Departments

If each faculty or department issues its own invoice, you may face some challenges. Fundi typically disburses loan funds directly to the institution or department listed on the invoice.

In this case, if you want to split your Fundi loan, you will need to submit both invoices as part of your loan application. Fundi will then review the documents and decide whether it can process the loan as one total amount and disburse it to two different departments.

However, it is not guaranteed. Some students have reported being told to apply for separate loans or to get their school to issue a consolidated invoice.

What Happens If You Apply for Multiple Courses or Degrees?

If you’re studying two programs in two departments—such as Law and Business, or Science and Engineering—your application becomes more complex.

Here’s what usually happens:

Fundi requires proof of registration for the courses you’re applying the loan toward.
The institution must confirm that both faculties are under your name and that both courses are active.
You may need to provide two separate quotes or invoices.
If allowed, Fundi may calculate the total cost and offer one loan, but request specific payment instructions from your school.

If Fundi decides that your case requires two separate loan contracts, you may be asked to apply twice, one for each department. That also means you will have two separate repayment plans.

How to Confirm Loan Coverage With Fundi

Since Fundi may treat each case differently, especially when more than one faculty is involved, it is important to contact Fundi directly to confirm how your situation will be handled.

Here’s what you should do:

Get both invoices from your university, each showing your name and student number.
Email Fundi at their customer care address or use the contact form on their website.
Explain clearly that you are enrolled in two departments and ask if you can process one loan application using both invoices.
Provide all documents Fundi may need, such as your student card, acceptance letters, or registration proof.

This helps you avoid delays or confusion during the disbursement process.

Best Practices When Splitting Your Fundi Loan

If you’re going ahead with applying for a loan that covers more than one faculty, here are important tips to follow:

1. Collect Clear Invoices

Make sure each department’s invoice shows your name, student ID, and the correct amount due. Fundi will not process documents that are unclear or missing details.

2. Confirm With Your Institution

Ask your school’s finance or bursary office if they can combine the costs into a single invoice. This makes the Fundi loan process much easier and faster.

3. Submit All Documents at Once

When applying, send all required documents—including invoices from both departments—at the same time. Fundi will need to assess your total education cost before approving the loan.

4. Keep Records of Everything

Make copies of all communication with both your institution and Fundi. Keep a file with all invoices, loan contracts, and emails. This will protect you if any issue comes up later.

5. Understand the Repayment Terms

If Fundi allows you to split the loan, make sure you understand how the loan will be disbursed and how repayment will be structured. In some cases, a higher loan amount could mean longer repayment periods or more interest.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Splitting a Fundi Loan

Benefits

You can fund two academic paths without applying twice.
You only need to deal with one lender.
It simplifies your budgeting if the costs are managed under one loan.

Drawbacks

The process can be more complicated.
Not all institutions allow combined invoices.
Fundi may reject the split and ask for separate applications.
Managing repayments for two departments may become stressful if not properly tracked.

What To Do If Fundi Doesn’t Allow Loan Splitting

If Fundi refuses to process a single loan across two departments, here are your options:

Apply for separate loans for each faculty.
Request a consolidated invoice from your school (if possible).
Seek advice from your university’s finance office.
Explore other funding options such as NSFAS (if eligible), private banks, bursaries, or scholarships for one of the programs.