CAO Status Check 2024-2025 | CAO Application Status Check
The Central Application Office (CAO) is an organization in South Africa that allows students to apply to tertiary institutions. It also allows students to check application status and provides applicants peace of mind.
CAO Application Status Check Online
The process of using the CAO Portal is easy and safe. After reading this, you can easily access your documents on the CAO website and learn what the CAO application status means. You can check the CAO application status. Learn about the CAO application portal and fee.
How to check CAO application status:
Checking your CAO status regularly will ensure that you stay on top of your application and receive all the updates without any delay. Fortunately, you can check your CAO application status online.
Cao website
Go to Google search for the CAO website and click on it
My application
Select the Option “My Application” tab, once you open the website.
Login
If you see the section on your screen, complete it with your correct information. Enter your CAO number, ID number, or password number.
Check CAO application status
Now you can see the status of your CAO application whether it is approved, denied, or still processed.
Note
If you want further information you can contact the CAO directly on 031 268 4444 or 0860 226.
CAO Application Status Portal 2024
If you submit the CAO application then you need to confirm whether your application is approved or not. If your application is approved then CAO sends you the confirmation SMS or email. You can check it by using the CAO Portal. SASSA also offers grants for beneficiaries. If you’re a SASSA beneficiary and want to SASSA Status Check , please visit the provided website.
After you submit your application it takes time to approve your application. The process is supposed to take about 4 to 6 weeks for the confirmation. It also may take about 30 days for the CAO and institute you applied to approve your application.
A complete listing of Central Applications Office (CAO) Courses, Courses pdf, Faculties, Departments, Admission Requirements, Prospectus, Academic Calendar, Brochure, Application Dates, Application Fee, School Fee Structure, Registration Dates, Curriculum, Term Dates, APS Calculator, how to calculate your points, and other learning activities can be found here.
Read also: How to Apply for UNISA Admission 2024
CAO Application Fee in South Africa
If you submit your application in the CAO Portal, you will receive a confirmation SMS and email. The CAO system also instructs you for payment or additional documents.
In 2025, if you are a South African citizen then you will pay an R250 fee for a CAO application and if you are an international applicant then you will pay an R300 fee for a CAO application.
For SA citizens and international students, a late fee of R470 applies if the documents and forms reach the CAO after the deadline. The preferred payment option is Easy Pay. Payment can be made in Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Woolworths, or any store displaying the Easy Pay sign. Payment can be accepted only by Cash, Debit, or Credit Card.
How Can I access my CAO document?
You can access your CAO documents anytime, anywhere on your phone, tablet, or computer. Your documents will be reviewed and scanned by the CAO and made available to view online. To access your documents visit the CAO website.
The CAO website has an option “My Application” where you can see your online application and documents. You can view or download your submitted documents.
How do I know if CAO has received my documents?
By visiting the CAO website you can easily know if the CAO has your documents. Go to the CAO website and check your application status.
In this section, you can also check your document status. If you submit your documents, you will receive a confirmation SMS or email. If you do not receive the confirmation SMS or email, you can contact the CAO authority.
South Africa: Call 031 268 4444 or 0860 226
What do the Different Statuses Mean?
You can check your CAO application status online. If you submit your CAO application on time, your chances of successful application are higher. If there are any errors in your documents, you have time to correct them and again submit the CAO application.
Your CAO application is not displayed on the CAO portal due to technical issues, you can contact the CAO authority. You should know what it means when your CAO application status shows “Application Complete” or “declined.” Let’s find out!
Waiting for a Decision
If your CAO status shows “waiting for a decision“, it means your application is received by the institute you applied to. Your application has not yet been considered by the institution.
Late Application
If your CAO status shows “Late Application” it means your application is received after the closing dates for the program. Late application is lower the chance of success. Late applications are handled differently by each institution.
Awaiting Results
If this status shows it means the institution is waiting to consider your application. But they need your latest academic results.
Conditional Offer
If this status shows it means the university makes an offer with conditions. You meet the requirements of the institute but the applicants are higher in number and space is limited.
In this case, requirements may be higher than those published in this handbook. Conditions may be getting specific marks in your final exam or the institute may conduct a test during registration. The offer may be withdrawn if you do not want to accept the position.
Firm Offer
If your CAO status shows “Firm Offer“it means you received an offer of admission from a University. The offer remains for a limited time so you should accept it.
Has Not Met Programme Ranking Criteria
If this status shows it means you do not meet the institution’s specific requirements. For more details, you can check the institution’s prospectus. It is possible to change the ranking of a program by completing a change of mind request form. You can also choose the subject where you meet the institution’s requirements.
Interview/Audition/Portfolio
Institutions conduct interviews, auditions, and portfolios for a special selection process. The institution will provide details about the dates, times, and location. You must contact the institute directly.
Please Supply Academic Records
If your CAO application status shows “Please Supply Academic Record” it means the University wants more details about you. You must provide your academy record from your current or previous tertiary study.
Please Supply USAf/SAQA Evaluation
If this status shows it means the university wants more details about you. Your foreign exam results may need to be evaluated by the Institute of South Africa.
Programme Closed
If your CAO application status shows “Program Closed” it means the institution you want to apply to close the program. The institute is not considering further applications.
Refer to Decision
If this status shows it means the institute refers your application to the higher authority. The institutions you applied to are reviewing your application. Your application has not yet been considered by the institution.
Regret Programme Discontinued
If this status shows it means the institution will no longer offer the programme you applied for. In this case, the university suggests an alternative program.
Regret Unsuccessful
If the CAO status shows “Regret Unsuccessful” it means you cannot meet the requirements criteria. Institute decides not to offer your place and your application is unsuccessful.
Short-listed, Standby and Wait-listed
If this status shows it means your application is successfully received by the institution you applied to. The institutions you applied to are reviewing your application, but they have not yet decided whether they can accept your application.
Unsuccessful Following Placement Test/Interview
You are unsuccessful in the test or interview that the University conducts for your admission. The institution decided not to offer your place. Institutions also contact you if they are unable to accept your application.
CAO Contact Details
If you want to contact the assistant of CAO for further information then you contact them by phone or email.
Phone
Hours
FAQs:
Conclusion
After reading these guidelines you can easily go through the process of how to check CAO status online and how to access your CAO documents. You can easily understand what the different status means and you can easily know if the CAO received your documents or not. Learn about the CAO application portal and fee.
Make sure to read it carefully. Through the Central Application Office (CAO) you can easily check your application status with a simple and safe method. The CAO system ensures that your data remains secure.
