How To Cancel CAO Application: Complete Guide For Students
How To Cancel CAO Application. Have you submitted a Central Applications Office (CAO) application in South Africa but now want to cancel it, remove a course, or change your study plans? Do not worry. You have options, and understanding the correct process can help you avoid mistakes, extra costs, and confusion. Many students search for how to cancel a CAO application because they have changed their minds, selected the wrong course, received a different study offer, or no longer want to attend a particular institution. However, cancelling an entire application is not the same as removing one course from your list.
According to the official CAO information, applicants can use the Change of Mind process to change, add, or rearrange their programme choices. The administration fee for this service is currently R140 per submission. Application and Change of Mind administration fees are non-refundable. Always check the official website for the latest rules before taking action.
This guide explains how to cancel a CAO application, remove unwanted courses, change programme choices, understand the fees, and contact CAO if you need to withdraw your entire application.
What Is a CAO Application?
The Central Applications Office, also known as CAO, provides an application service for students who want to study at participating colleges and universities in South Africa. Instead of completing a separate application for every participating programme, students can use the CAO system to select eligible programmes and submit their details.
A CAO application may include:
- Your personal information and contact details.
- Your identification or passport details.
- Your selected institutions and study programmes.
- Your school results and supporting documents.
- Your application number and payment information.
- Your application status and admission updates.
After submitting an application, you may realise that one of your course choices is incorrect or that your plans have changed. In this situation, you should first decide whether you want to remove one programme, replace your course choices, or request the withdrawal of your entire application. Understanding this difference will help you choose the correct action.
Can You Cancel a CAO Application Completely?
The answer depends on what you mean by cancellation. If you want to remove one or more programmes, you can normally use the official Change of Mind facility. This process allows you to submit a new list of programme choices, which replaces the choices previously recorded on your application.
However, if you want to cancel your entire CAO application and close your application record, you should contact CAO directly to ask about the correct procedure for your situation. The online Change of Mind facility is designed to manage study choices. It should not be treated as a guaranteed way to delete your entire application profile.
You should also remember that paying an application fee does not mean you can automatically receive a refund if you change your mind. According to CAO’s published terms, administration fees and Change of Mind fees are non-refundable.
Understand Your Cancellation Options
| Your situation | What you should do |
|---|---|
| You want to remove one course | Use the Change of Mind facility. |
| You want to replace an unwanted course | Submit a new list of programme choices. |
| You want to change the order of courses | Rearrange the choices using Change of Mind. |
| You want to add another programme | Check availability and submit a Change of Mind request. |
| You want to withdraw your entire application | Contact CAO and request instructions. |
| You want your application fee refunded | Check CAO’s refund rules; administration fees are non-refundable. |
| You submitted the wrong course choices | Contact CAO promptly if you need help correcting them. |
How to Cancel a CAO Application Online
If your main aim is to remove or replace your selected courses, follow the steps below. These instructions explain the online Change of Mind process.
Step 1: Visit the Official CAO Website
Open the official Central Applications Office website:
Always use the official website when handling your application. Avoid entering your personal information on unfamiliar websites that claim to cancel applications for you. On the homepage, look for the Change of Mind option. You can also use the website’s application-checking facility to review your current application details before making changes.
Step 2: Log In to Your Account
Select the Change of Mind option and follow the instructions to log in. You may need your CAO number and other requested information to access your application. Before continuing, make sure that you are using the correct account. If you have more than one application reference or have forgotten your login details, use the official website’s available support options. Keep your application number safe because it can help CAO identify your record when you ask for assistance.
Step 3: Review Your Existing Programme Choices
Once you have logged in, review the programmes currently listed on your application. Check each choice carefully, including:
- The name of the institution.
- The name and code of the programme.
- The entry year and intake.
- The order in which you have ranked your choices.
- Any other programme details shown in the portal.
Do not rush through this step. You need to know which choices you want to keep and which ones you want to remove. For example, suppose you originally selected six programmes but now want to keep only three. Make a note of the three programmes you want to retain before moving to the next step.
Step 4: Prepare Your New List of Choices
The CAO Change of Mind process requires you to enter the programme choices you want to keep as well as any new choices you want to add. This is one of the most important parts of the process.
Do not leave out a programme that you want to keep. The new list replaces your previous programme choices. Any previous choices that you do not include may be withdrawn from your application. For example, your original choices might be:
- Business Management.
- Accounting.
- Information Technology.
- Marketing.
- Human Resources.
- Public Management.
If you now want to keep Business Management and Accounting, remove Information Technology, and add another eligible programme, enter the complete new list in the order you want. Do not assume that the system will automatically preserve all your previous choices.
Step 5: Check the Order of Your Programmes
After adding your preferred programmes, review their ranking. Place your most preferred programme first, followed by your next choices. The order matters because it communicates your preferences. However, the institution’s admission decisions still depend on its own selection rules, entry requirements, available places, and other relevant factors.
Before submitting, check that:
- Every programme you want to retain is included.
- Unwanted programmes are excluded.
- New programme choices are correct.
- The ranking is in your preferred order.
- You have not selected an incorrect entry year or intake.
CAO warns applicants to check their choices carefully because submitted mistakes may not be reversible by CAO.
Step 6: Submit Your Change of Mind Request
Once you have checked your list, follow the on-screen instructions to continue. Review the details again, then select the option to process or submit your Change of Mind request. Wait for the confirmation message that indicates your request has been submitted.
Remember that submitting the request and completing the payment are separate parts of the process. Your updated choices will not be made available to institutions until the required Change of Mind fee has been received and processed.
Step 7: Pay the Change of Mind Fee
The current published Change of Mind administration fee is R140 per submission. CAO provides online payment options and payment through participating EasyPay outlets. Follow the payment instructions displayed on the official website. If you pay through an EasyPay outlet, use the correct EasyPay reference number provided for your application or payment.
Keep your payment confirmation or receipt. It may be useful if your application does not update as expected. The fee is charged per submission, not per individual programme change. Therefore, adding, removing, or rearranging several programmes in one Change of Mind submission is generally covered by one fee. If you submit another Change of Mind request later, a separate fee may apply.
Step 8: Check Your Application Status
After completing the submission and payment, return to the official CAO website and check your application status. Confirm that your updated programme choices appear correctly.
If your new choices are not visible or your payment has not been reflected, contact CAO for help. Keep your application number, payment details, and confirmation information available. Do not submit another Change of Mind request immediately just because you cannot see an update. A second submission may create another administration fee.
How to Withdraw Your Entire CAO Application
Some students do not want to change their course choices. They want to stop the application process altogether. If this is your situation, contact CAO directly and explain that you want to withdraw your entire application. The Change of Mind facility is intended to update programme choices, so you should not assume that using it will close your whole application record.
Steps:
- Prepare your application details. Keep your CAO number, full name, identification or passport details, and application year available.
- Contact CAO. Use the official telephone number or contact information published on the CAO website.
- Explain your request clearly. State that you want to withdraw the entire application, rather than remove one programme.
- Ask about the required procedure. CAO can explain whether any formal request or additional information is needed for your case.
- Ask for written confirmation. If the withdrawal is accepted, request confirmation or instructions showing what has been done.
- Keep the confirmation. Save any email or reference number related to your request.
Do not share your password or payment card details when requesting support. If you have already received an offer from an institution, contact that institution as well if you need to decline the offer. Withdrawing a CAO application and declining an admission offer may involve different procedures.
What Is the CAO Change of Mind Fee?
The Change of Mind fee is an administration charge for updating programme choices after submitting an application.
The published fee is R140 per submission. It applies to requests such as adding a programme, changing a programme, rearranging the order of choices, or making other permitted changes through the Change of Mind process.
Here is a simple overview:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Service | Change of Mind |
| Published fee | R140 per submission |
| Purpose | Add, remove, replace, or rearrange programme choices |
| Payment methods | Available online options or participating EasyPay outlets |
| Processing | Online requests are processed once the required fee is received |
| Refund policy | CAO administration and Change of Mind fees are non-refundable |
Fees and payment rules can change. Check the current CAO website before making a payment.
Can You Get a Refund After Cancelling?
Generally, no. CAO’s published terms state that application administration fees and Change of Mind fees are non-refundable. For this reason, check your programme choices carefully before submitting a request. If you have paid twice by mistake, paid the wrong amount, or experienced a payment problem, contact CAO and explain what happened. Do not assume that a refund will be approved, because a payment query is different from a standard cancellation request.
Important Things to Know Before Cancelling Your CAO Application
Before changing your application, consider the following points.
1. Check Your Admission Status First
Review your current application status before removing any programmes. An institution may still be considering your application, or it may have requested further information. Removing a programme could affect your opportunity to be considered for that course.
2. Keep the Programmes You Still Want
Always include the programmes you want to retain in your new Change of Mind list. If you forget to include a programme, it may be withdrawn from your active choices.
3. Check Course Requirements
Before replacing a course, check whether you meet the institution’s admission requirements. A programme may have specific subject, result, or other entry requirements. Adding a course does not guarantee admission.
4. Check Application and Programme Deadlines
Some programmes may close earlier than others. Before adding a new programme, check whether applications are still accepted for your preferred intake. Do not assume that a course is available simply because it appears in an old list or previous application.
5. Do Not Submit Multiple Requests Without Checking
Each separate Change of Mind submission may attract another R140 fee. Prepare your complete list first and make sure it is correct before submitting.
6. Save Your Proof of Payment
Keep the payment receipt, reference number, and confirmation message. These details can help CAO investigate payment delays or missing updates.
7. Contact the Institution When Necessary
CAO manages the application process, but the institution makes its own admission decisions. If you want to decline an offer, ask about registration, or understand a selection decision, you may need to contact the institution directly.
How to Contact CAO for Cancellation Help
If you cannot cancel your application, cannot access your account, or need to withdraw your entire application, contact the Central Applications Office. The official CAO website lists the following contact details:
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Official website | https://www.cao.ac.za/ |
| Telephone | 031 268 4444 |
| Monday to Thursday | 08:00–16:30 |
| Friday | 08:00–14:00 |
| Office location | Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street, Cato Manor, Durban, South Africa |
The telephone hours above are published by CAO and may change, so check the official website before calling.
What Should You Say When Contacting CAO?
Explain your situation in simple words. For example:
“I have submitted a CAO application, but I no longer want to continue with it. I would like to know the correct procedure for withdrawing my entire application. Please tell me whether I need to complete a form or provide any additional information.”
If you only want to remove a course, explain that instead. Being clear about your request can help the support team direct you to the correct process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Cancelling a CAO Application
Students sometimes make avoidable mistakes while changing their applications. The following tips can help you prevent problems.
- Do not use unofficial cancellation websites. Use the official CAO portal.
- Do not assume your full application has been deleted. Ask CAO to confirm the status of an entire-application withdrawal.
- Do not forget your existing preferred courses. Include every programme you want to retain when submitting a Change of Mind request.
- Do not expect a refund automatically. Administration fees are non-refundable under CAO’s published terms.
- Do not ignore payment confirmation. Keep the receipt and check that payment has been received.
- Do not overlook admission deadlines. A replacement course may no longer accept applications.
- Do not submit another request without checking the first one. A separate submission may mean another fee.
- Do not assume an offer has been declined. If an institution has already offered you a place, follow its instructions for declining the offer.
Taking a few minutes to review your application can help you avoid unnecessary costs and delays.
FAQs About Cancel my CAO Application
How do I cancel my CAO application online?
If you want to remove or replace course choices, visit the official CAO website, select Change of Mind, log in, enter your complete new list of choices, check the ranking, submit your request, and pay the required fee. If you want to withdraw your entire application, contact CAO for instructions.
Can I delete my CAO application permanently?
Do not assume that the online Change of Mind process permanently deletes your application profile. It is designed to update programme choices. Contact CAO directly if you want to withdraw your entire application or ask about your application record.
How much does it cost to change CAO course choices?
The current published Change of Mind fee is R140 per submission. Check the official CAO website for the latest fee and payment information.
Can I get my CAO application fee back?
CAO’s published terms state that administration fees and Change of Mind fees are non-refundable. If you have a specific payment problem, contact CAO and ask how it can be reviewed.
What happens if I forget to include a course I want to keep?
The new list replaces the previous programme choices. If you leave out a programme that you wanted to retain, it may be withdrawn from your active choices. Check your list carefully before submitting.
Can I remove one course without cancelling the whole application?
Yes. The Change of Mind process is intended for changing programme choices. Include the programmes you want to keep and leave out the ones you want removed.
How long does CAO take to process a Change of Mind?
Online Change of Mind requests are processed once the required administration fee has been received. CAO states that online changes are made available to institutions after the fee is received and processed. Payment timing can affect when the updated choices become available.
Can I change my CAO choices more than once?
You may submit additional Change of Mind requests, subject to the current rules. However, each separate submission may require another R140 fee. Check all your choices before submitting to avoid unnecessary charges.
What should I do if I cannot log in to my CAO account?
Visit the official CAO website and use the available account assistance options. If you still cannot access your application, contact CAO by telephone and have your application details ready.
What if I have already received a university offer?
If you want to decline an offer, contact the institution that made it and follow its instructions. If you also want to withdraw your CAO application, ask CAO whether any separate action is needed.
Conclusion
Learning how to cancel a CAO application is important if your study plans have changed or you have selected the wrong programme. The correct action depends on whether you want to remove a course, replace your choices, rearrange their order, or withdraw your entire application. For course changes, use the official Change of Mind facility and remember to include all the programmes you want to keep. The published Change of Mind fee is R140 per submission, and CAO’s administration fees are non-refundable. If you want to withdraw your entire application, cannot access your account, or are unsure what to do next, contact CAO directly and ask for the correct procedure.
