Step 02 of 04 · True Cost Calculator

Tuition is rarely more than half the bill.

Use guided South African starting values, then adjust the numbers to see monthly burden, first-month shock and residence risk.

V2 logic: safe affordability uses confirmed funding only. Hoped-for bursaries or loans are shown as a scenario, not as the decision baseline.

Pathway being costed

Choose the route and living arrangement first. The calculator fills conservative starting values you can override.

Study-year costs

These are editable estimates for year one. Keep setup costs visible because they often arrive before classes begin.

Funding & support

Separate confirmed money from hoped-for money. This keeps the decision safer.

Live affordability read

This route is likely unsafe without major support.

Run Tool 1 first to add household capacity to this verdict.

R 16 892safe monthly burden