A total of 5196 new applications have been received by the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board (TSLB) as of December 28, 2018.

Board chief executive officer Bobby Maharaj said this consisted of 2144 National Toppers Scholarship (NTS) applications and 3152 applications for the Tertiary Education Loans Scheme (TELS).

“Furthermore another 891 students have registered for the schemes but are yet to complete their application,” Mr Maharaj said.

“As such 6087 students have expressed their interest for the Fijian Government schemes for 2019.”

He expects the number for TELS to increase because the deadline for TELS applications was still open.

The TSLB is encouraging students who have  not applied for TELS so far to apply and realise their dream of  attaining higher education.

“It is estimated that about 8500 new students will benefit from the Fijian Government Scholarship and Loans Scheme in 2019,” Mr Maharaj said.

He has urged students, who have applied online, to upload their offer letters so that there is no need for them to come down to the TSLB offices.

Once students upload their offer letters and their Year 13, Year 12 or Foundation Studies results, the application will be processed and students will receive an email indicating the outcome of their application.

“After receipt of the email, students are required to download  their offer letter and bond form by logging into their  online application, print, fill the requirements, sign the documents and upload the signed documents online,” Mr Maharaj said.

“TSLB will carry out the assessment and if documents are in order the student will receive another email to indicate their award has been confirmed.

“Once this is done, there is no need to come to TSLB. Students can start their  classes at the institutions of their  choice and TSLB will deposit the allowances in the nominated bank account or M-Paisa number and bus fare in their  E-ticket Card number.

Mr Maharaj added that 31,551  students had benefited from the scheme prior to 2019 and he expected that by 2019 about 39,000 students would have benefitted from the scheme since 2014.

Edited by Percy Kean

Feedback:  neelam.prasad@fijisun.com.fj