How To Delete CAO Application 2026: Complete Guide
How to Delete CAO Application. If you have submitted an application through the Central Applications Office (CAO) in South Africa and now want to delete it, you may be wondering what to do next. Perhaps you selected the wrong course, changed your study plans, applied to the wrong institution, or no longer want to continue with your application. Whatever your reason, it is important to understand how the CAO system works before taking any action.
The good news is that you can change your course choices through the official CAO website. You may also contact the relevant university or college if you want to decline an offer or stop an institution from considering your application. However, removing your entire application is not the same as changing your course choices.
In this guide, you will learn how to delete a CAO application, how to remove unwanted course choices, how to use the Change of Mind facility, what fees you may need to pay, and how to contact CAO for help.
Can You Delete a CAO Application?
The answer depends on what you mean by deleting your application. If you have already submitted your application through the South African Central Applications Office, you should not assume that you can delete the complete application yourself. The CAO system provides an online Change of Mind facility that allows applicants to change their programme choices or rearrange their preferences.
- If you want to remove a particular course, replace an unwanted programme, or choose a different course, you can normally use this facility instead of trying to cancel your entire application.
- If you want to withdraw completely, you should contact CAO directly and explain your situation. The office can advise you about the available options for your application status.
It is also important to remember that administrative fees are generally non-refundable. Before requesting a change or withdrawal, check the current CAO rules and fee information.
Why Do Students Want to Delete Their CAO Applications?
Students may want to delete or change their applications for several reasons. Understanding your situation will help you choose the correct method. Common reasons include:
- Choosing the wrong course: You may have selected a programme that does not match your interests or career goals.
- Changing your career plans: You may decide to study another subject after researching different career options.
- Applying to the wrong institution: You may want to replace one university or college with another institution available through CAO.
- Receiving an offer elsewhere: You may have received an offer from another institution and no longer want to continue with some of your original choices.
- Making a mistake in your preferences: You may want to change the order of your programme choices.
- Deciding not to study this year: Your personal or financial circumstances may have changed, and you may want to postpone your studies.
You do not always need to delete your entire application to solve these problems. In many cases, changing your programme choices or contacting the institution directly is a more suitable option.
How to Delete or Remove CAO Application Choices Online
If your main goal is to remove unwanted courses, the official Change of Mind (COM) facility is the main option to consider. The CAO website allows applicants to submit updated programme choices. According to the official CAO guidance, the new choices replace the choices already listed on the application. Therefore, you should include every programme you want to retain, along with any new programmes you want to add. Follow these steps carefully.
Step 1: Visit the Official CAO Website
Open your web browser and visit the official Central Applications Office website:
Make sure you are using the official website rather than an unofficial website that asks for your personal information.
Step 2: Open the Change of Mind Facility
Click on the Change of Mind icon on the CAO homepage. The website will guide you through the login process. Follow the instructions displayed on your screen.
You may need your CAO application number and access to the cellphone number or email address registered on your application. Keep these details ready before you start. If you cannot access your registered contact details, you may need to update them or contact CAO for assistance.
Step 3: Log In to Your CAO Account
Enter the information requested by the official website. Depending on the login process, you may need your CAO number or identification details and access to your registered cellphone number or email address.
Follow the verification instructions carefully. Never share your password or verification code with an unknown person. Once you have successfully logged in, review the programme choices currently listed on your application.
Step 4: Review Your Existing Course Choices
Before making changes, check every programme on your list. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Which courses do I still want to study?
- Which programmes do I want to remove?
- Do I want to apply for a different course?
- Do I need to change the order of my choices?
- Does the institution still offer the programme for my intended entry term?
Make a list of the courses you want to keep and the courses you no longer want. This simple preparation can help you avoid mistakes.
Step 5: Enter Only the Programme Choices You Want
The new Change of Mind submission should include all the programmes you want to keep, as well as any new programmes you want to select. For example, suppose your original application contains these choices:
- Business Management
- Accounting
- Marketing
- Information Technology
You now want to study Business Management and Information Technology only. When completing your Change of Mind request, enter the programmes you want to retain in your preferred order. In this example, you would include Business Management and Information Technology and leave out Accounting and Marketing.
Important: Do not submit an incomplete list by mistake. The updated programme choices replace the existing choices, so make sure every programme you want to keep is included.
Step 6: Arrange Your Course Choices in the Correct Order
After selecting your programmes, arrange them according to your preference. For example, if Business Management is your first choice and Information Technology is your second choice, enter them in that order.
The order matters because it communicates your preferences to the institutions handling your application. Before continuing, check the names of the courses and the institutions carefully. Make sure you have not selected a similar programme by mistake.
Step 7: Review and Submit Your Change of Mind Request
Review the updated list before submitting it. Check that:
- All the programmes you want to keep are included.
- Unwanted programmes are no longer on the new list.
- Your preferred order is correct.
- The selected programmes and institutions are correct.
- You have followed the instructions displayed by CAO.
When everything is correct, click the appropriate button to process your Change of Mind request. Keep a record of the confirmation displayed by the website. If a confirmation email or reference is provided, save it for future use.
Step 8: Pay the Change of Mind Administration Fee
The official CAO guidance lists a R140 Change of Mind administration fee per submission. This fee applies to a Change of Mind request that requires an administration payment, subject to the current CAO rules. The fee is separate from the original application administration fee.
Follow the payment instructions displayed on the official CAO website. Available methods may include online card payments and payment through an EasyPay outlet. Do not assume that your requested changes have been processed simply because you submitted the form. CAO states that the Change of Mind request is made available to institutions after the required fee has been received and the payment is reflected in its system. Check the latest fee information before paying, as official fees and procedures can change.
What If You Want to Delete the Entire CAO Application?
Sometimes changing course choices is not enough. You may have decided that you do not want to continue with the application at all. In this situation, contact CAO directly instead of repeatedly submitting Change of Mind requests. Explain that you want to withdraw from the application process and ask whether any action is available for your specific application status. When contacting the office, provide the information needed to identify your application, but do not send passwords or verification codes. You can ask the following questions:
- Can my submitted application be withdrawn?
- What happens to my existing programme choices?
- Will the institutions still be able to view my application?
- Can I apply again for a different entry term?
- Is the original administration fee refundable?
- Do I need to submit any additional form or written request?
CAO will be able to advise you about the procedure that applies to your circumstances. Remember that withdrawing from consideration, removing programme choices and deleting a complete application record are different actions. Do not assume that one automatically does all three.
How to Contact a University or College to Withdraw Your Application
If you no longer want a specific university or college to consider you, you may also need to contact that institution directly. This is particularly important if you have already received an offer of admission. CAO processes applications and forwards relevant information to institutions, but the institutions make their own admission and selection decisions. Therefore, CAO may not be able to make every decision about an offer on behalf of a university or college. Follow these steps:
- Identify the university or college that made the offer or is considering your application.
- Visit the institution’s official website.
- Find its admissions, applications or student recruitment contact details.
- Send a polite email explaining that you no longer wish to be considered for the programme.
- Include your application reference or student number if applicable.
- Ask for written confirmation that your request has been received.
- Follow any additional instructions provided by the institution.
If you have received an offer, read the offer letter carefully. It may contain a deadline and instructions for accepting or declining the place. Do not simply ignore an offer if you know you will not accept it. Responding through the correct channel helps the institution update its records and may prevent confusion later.
CAO Contact Details for Application Withdrawal and Support
If you cannot find a suitable option online, contact the Central Applications Office through its official channels. The following details are listed in CAO’s official information for general assistance and payment queries.
| Contact method | Details |
|---|---|
| Official website | https://www.cao.ac.za/ |
| Telephone within South Africa | 031 268 4444 |
| Telephone from outside South Africa | +27 31 268 4444 |
| Payment enquiries | [email protected] |
| Physical address | Gate 11, Mary Thiphe Street, Durban |
| General office hours | Monday to Friday, 08:00–16:30, subject to the current published schedule |
CAO’s current published contact information gives different call-centre hours for different weekdays. Check the official website before calling, especially on Fridays or public holidays. For a general withdrawal request, use the official contact information provided on the CAO website. For a payment issue, you can contact the payment enquiries team. When you contact CAO, explain your problem clearly and ask for specific instructions. This will help the support team understand what you want to change.
Can You Get a Refund After Deleting a CAO Application?
Many students want to know whether they can receive a refund after deciding not to continue with their application. In general, you should not expect the original CAO administration fee to be refunded simply because you no longer want to use the application. The Change of Mind administration fee is also a separate charge for making changes to your programme choices. Paying this fee does not mean that your original application fee will be refunded.
However, if you believe that you made an incorrect payment, paid twice, or experienced a payment problem, contact CAO’s payment enquiries team. Explain what happened and provide the relevant payment reference or proof of payment if requested through the official channel. The office can review the issue and tell you whether any action is possible under its rules.
How to Check Your CAO Application Status After Making Changes
After submitting a Change of Mind request or contacting CAO, it is a good idea to check your application status. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official CAO website.
- Click on the Check My Application option.
- Enter the CAO number or other identification details requested by the website.
- Submit the information.
- Review the status displayed on the screen.
- Contact CAO if the changes are not showing or if the status is unclear.
Keep copies of your confirmation messages and payment receipts. These records can help if you need to explain the situation to CAO later. If your application status does not update immediately, remember that payment processing and system updates may take time. Follow the official guidance rather than submitting another request unnecessarily.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Trying to Delete a CAO Application
Students can make simple mistakes when changing their applications. Avoid the following problems to make the process easier.
1. Submitting a Change of Mind Without Including All Desired Courses
The new programme list replaces your existing choices. If you leave a course off the new list, you may lose that choice. Always check the complete list before submitting your request.
2. Assuming the Application Has Been Completely Deleted
Removing course choices does not necessarily delete your application profile or erase the application record. If you want to withdraw completely, contact CAO and ask what is possible for your application status.
3. Forgetting to Pay the Required Fee
A Change of Mind request may not be processed for institutions until the required payment is received and reflected in the CAO system. Check your payment status after submitting the request.
4. Contacting the Wrong Office
CAO and individual institutions have different responsibilities. Contact CAO about your application record and programme choices. Contact the relevant institution if you need to decline an offer or discuss its admission decision.
5. Using an Unofficial Website
Only use the official CAO website for application changes and payments. Do not share your login details with people who promise to delete your application for a fee.
6. Ignoring Important Deadlines
Course changes, applications and offers may be subject to deadlines. Check the dates for your intended entry term before making changes. A course may have closed applications even if another programme is still accepting them.
FAQs About Delete my CAO Application
How do I delete my CAO application online?
If your goal is to remove unwanted courses, visit the official CAO website and use the Change of Mind facility. Include all the programmes you want to keep and submit the updated list. If you want to withdraw completely, contact CAO to ask about your specific application status.
Can I cancel my CAO application after submitting it?
Do not assume that you can cancel an active application through a simple delete button. Contact CAO directly to ask whether withdrawal is possible in your circumstances.
How much does CAO Change of Mind cost?
The official CAO guidance lists a R140 administration fee per Change of Mind submission. Check the latest official fee information before making a payment.
Will I get my CAO application fee back if I withdraw?
You should not expect an automatic refund simply because you no longer want to continue. If your payment was duplicated or there was another payment problem, contact CAO to ask for a review.
Can I remove one university from my CAO application?
You can update your programme choices through the Change of Mind facility. Include every programme you want to retain and leave out the choices you no longer want. If you have received an offer, contact the institution directly to confirm the correct withdrawal procedure.
What should I do if I cannot log in to my CAO account?
Check that your CAO number and other requested details are correct. Make sure you can access the registered cellphone number or email address if verification is required. If you still cannot log in, use the official CAO contact channels for assistance.
How long does a CAO Change of Mind request take?
CAO explains that a Change of Mind request is made available to institutions after the required payment is received and reflected in its system. The time needed for a payment to reflect can vary. Check your status online and contact CAO if you need clarification.
Can I apply again after withdrawing my CAO application?
Your options depend on the entry term, application rules and whether the relevant application period is open. Contact CAO before submitting another application. Ask whether you can update your existing application or whether a new application is permitted.
What is the difference between CAO and a university’s admissions office?
CAO receives and processes applications and forwards them to the relevant institutions. Universities and colleges make their own selection and admission decisions. For this reason, you may need to contact both CAO and the institution, depending on what you want to change.
Can I delete my CAO application without paying a fee?
If you only need to change programme choices, the standard Change of Mind process has a listed administration fee. If you want to withdraw completely, contact CAO to ask what options are available. Do not assume that withdrawal will remove existing charges.
Conclusion
Deleting a CAO application in South Africa can be confusing, especially if you have already submitted your details and paid the administration fee. The most important thing is to identify exactly what you want to change before taking action. If you want to remove unwanted course choices, use the official Change of Mind facility. Enter all the programmes you want to retain, arrange them in the correct order, review your submission and pay the required fee. If you want to withdraw completely, contact CAO and ask about the options available for your application status.
