From plan B to degree: Prospective students warned against college scams

Dr Linda Meyer

However, as application deadlines loom and public university places are all but filled to capacity, a leading education expert has cautioned that this surge in qualified candidates heightened the risk of rushed decisions which can have devastating consequences for affected students and families.

“Matriculants and their families must exercise heightened vigilance to select the appropriate qualification at a legitimate, accredited institution. And they must take great care to avoid unscrupulous or bogus providers that exploit time pressures and desperation during this critical transition period. Furthermore, before committing, prospective students must verify that their institution as well as chosen qualification are thoroughly registered and accredited,” says Dr Linda Meyer, MD at IIE Rosebank College and Waterfall School of Business, and president of Rosebank International University College (RIUC) Ghana.

The common pitfall to avoid

"Many prospective students apply primarily to public universities, only to face rejection due to limited capacity. In desperation, they opt for any available institution as a temporary 'bridge' year, assuming they can later transfer to a university. This haste often leads to enrolling with unregistered or non accredited providers without proper checks," Dr Meyer says.

To confirm an institution's legitimacy, the following checks are non-negotiable:

• Visit the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) website to check the official list of registered private higher education providers.

• Consult the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) website to verify that the specific qualification is registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).

• Review the Council on Higher Education (CHE) website to ensure the programme and institution are accredited and meet all enrolment requirements.

• If any doubts remain, contact the DHET call centre directly for confirmation.

Bogus college red flags

• The institution does not appear on the DHET's registered providers list.

• No original registration certificate from the DHET is prominently displayed at the premises (copies are insufficient).

• The provider is a recent 'fly-by-night' operation with no established track record. Given that the accreditation process typically takes 2 to 3 years, an institution that is only a year or two old is unlikely to be sufficiently vetted.

• Poor infrastructure or unqualified academic staff should raise immediate concerns.

• Prior warnings of de-accreditation or deregistration in media reports or official department lists (e.g., institutions have received multi-year notices before action is taken).

Beyond the official verification steps, Dr Meyer strongly recommends conducting thorough online and on-campus due diligence to build a complete picture of any institution under consideration. “Prospective students and their families should actively search for real user experiences by checking Google reviews and consumer complaint platforms such as Hello Peter, where patterns of issues, ranging from poor service delivery and refund disputes to misleading marketing, often emerge quickly.”

She pointed out that many institutions facing serious scrutiny do not suddenly appear on warning lists; instead, red flags accumulate over time through repeated public reports, departmental notices, and media investigations. Ignoring these signals can prove extremely costly. “Not doing your due diligence comes at a significant financial stake which few South African families can afford. And unfortunately, where students enrol with unregistered or fraudulent providers, that money can be lost entirely, with little to no recourse for refunds.

“A few hours of investigation and verification can prevent a lifetime of regret. So don’t be pressured into making a hasty decision – take the time to do your homework, and verify institutions and qualifications through official channels to protect your future.”