790 students currently studying for a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery will not be affected by the suspension of scholarships offered for this program by the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board.
This has been confirmed by CEO Bobby Maharaj who says only new applications for National Toppers Scholarships and Tertiary Education Loan Scheme for MBBS and oral health will be suspended from this year.
This means any student wishing to study MBBS will have to pay for their own tuition which cost more than $85,000 with the Fiji National University.
It was announced in the 2020/2021 National Budget that 130 new National Toppers Scholarships for MBBS and oral health will be suspended along with 20 new National Toppers overseas scholarships.
The government had also announced that for the Tertiary Education Loans Scheme, 130 new awards for MBBS, oral and dental, and 10 new awards for the Pilot Training Programme will be suspended in this financial year.
