1,082 students have terminated or ceased their sponsorship with the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service due to migration purposes, Overseas Student visas, personal issues and students changing programmes outside the eligible time limit and conditions.
This has been confirmed by the TSLS who says that from 2019 to 2023, 791 students have changed their programmes commonly due to students being forced to undertake a programme which is not of their own choice. TSLS says students also choose programmes under peer pressure as some students do not have prior knowledge of the programme content and face difficulty coping whereas other students opted for a programme only to secure a scholarship but later lack interest in the programme, and students opted for a programme which is a pathway for migration.
TSLS CEO Dr Hasmukh Lal says 8,720 scholarship awards are available for the 2024 academic year and they have received 5,103 applications.
Dr Lal says 9,148 existing students will continue their studies in the 2024 academic year with a budget allocation of $92.7 million while $55.5m has been allocated for new students.
He says there are no National Toppers and TELS under the current Fiji Scholarship schemes, but have nine scholarship schemes and one study loan including the Masters & PhDs by Research Scheme, Merit-Based Higher Education – Level 7 Local Scheme, Merit-Based Overseas Scheme, Merit-Based Skills Qualification Scheme, Scholarships for Higher Education (Level 7 Degree) with Minimum Cut-off Mark Scheme, Scholarships for In-Service Scheme – Public Sector Organization, Skills Qualification based on Offer Letter Scheme, Students with Special Needs Scheme, Tuition Only Hardship Assistance Scheme and Study Loan for In-Service Scheme.
The CEO is also encouraging applicants to choose programmes wisely.
The online application will close on Friday 2nd of February.
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