All Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Services sponsored students must receive the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine by 15th August 2021 and the second dose after 8 weeks if they want to continue to receive the benefits.
This is in accordance with the policy change announced in the 2021/2022 National Budget where it is now a condition for all Fijian Government-sponsored students to be fully vaccinated.
In a circular released by TSLS, students who refuse to get their first dose by 15th August will have their allowance and tuition payments suspended until they get vaccinated.
Allowance payments will only be for the remaining weeks after evidence of the first dose is submitted.
TSLS also says all allowance payments will now be on a monthly basis to ensure that only eligible students and rates of allowances are paid until evidence of vaccination is provided to them.
Students with medically-certifiable allergies to the vaccine with proper certification only by the Permanent Secretary for Health may be exempt.
TSLS says any request for exemption must be made in writing to them by no later than 15th August.
They say any such a request must be accompanied by a medical certificate from the Permanent Secretary for Health.
In areas where the COVID-19 vaccine is not available until 15th August, TSLS may extend the deadline for students until the vaccine becomes available in that area.
TSLS says students staying in such areas must get evidence of the unavailability of the vaccine and submit it before 15th August.
Students who receive their first dose by 15th August and have submitted the evidence to TSLS will continue to receive their allowances till 1st November on a monthly basis.
After the due date for the second dose on 1st November, only students who are fully vaccinated will continue to be paid their allowances and tuition.
Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations
