Obligations of the Tertiary Education and Loans Scheme (TELS)

The Tertiary Education and Loans Scheme (TELS) is a scheme for Fi­jians who need financial support to complete higher education studies in an approved institution.

For student loans, the financial support is granted with bond conditions that the loan will be repaid when the recipient starts work.

For scholarships, the recipient must fulfil bond conditions.

The Attorney-General and Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum in his 2017- 2018 National Budget Address on June 29, 2017 had announced the transfer of the ter­tiary loan recovery function from Tertiary Scholarship Loans Board (TSLB) to the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service(FRCS).

This change came into effect on August 1, 2017 with the necessary amendments made to the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Act of 2014.

Current and Former Recipients

Recipients of other government scholar­ship programmes under the then Fijian Affairs Board (FAB) now the i’ Taukei Af­fairs Board [ITAB], Multi Ethnic Affairs (MEA), Public Service Commission (PSC) and National Toppers Scheme (NTS) who were and are expected to serve a bond of service should also verify their status from the TSLB office.

They also have to obtain necessary clear­ance from FRCS after completing the re­quired number of years of serviceas per the bond service agreement and or pay­ment of unserved/terminated bond.

This will greatly assist in the proactive granting of clearance of names from the immigration controversial list.

Employers

It has been noted that scholarship re­cipients who have graduated and are now in the workforce are selected from time to time to attend trainings, conferences, attachments, workshops, professional de­velopment programs and overseas deploy­ments.

However, many employers are not aware that their employees are still accountable to repay a loan or bond service with TSLB, and are required to obtain overseas travel clearance from FRCS- prior to date of trav­el.

Failure to produce official travel clearanc­es causes a lot of inconvenience at the Im­migration Department and may end up in travel cancellations resulting in financial loss to all parties.

For overseas travel, we encourage employ­ers to verify their nominated employees’ current status on contractual obligation(s) under TSLB loan or bond service agree­ment. Clearance from FRCS must be ob­tained at least 14 working days prior to travel.

Guarantors

Another legislative change to the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Act of 2014 is that Government will no longer require TELS recipients to have guarantors.

However, two guarantors are required if students or former students are travelling overseas or intend to leave the country. In cases where students or former students fail to return to Fiji, guarantors are liable for the loan repayments and fulfillment of bond conditions.

We are all reminded to be aware of our obligation(s) when signing the Overseas Travel Guarantor Bond Form.

Failure of the students to return to Fiji will result in FRCS extending recovery of the loan amount outstanding from the guarantors.

Subsequent Scholarships Awards

It has been noted that some students and former students have been awarded other overseas scholarships during the tenure of their studies or after completion.

Such cases would require full payment of your bond as per the loan or bond ser­vice agreement in place, before you take up other study awards.In situations and cir­cumstances beyond student control, FRCS Management need to be notified with sup­porting evidence.

You are strongly advised to verify with the TSLB office on the terms and conditions of your preceding loan and bond service agreements.

Completion of Bond /Loan Repayment

Students who have fully paid their loan or served their bond are required to contact FRCS for full clearance. They have to pro­vide the following documents:

n Certify copy of Passport Bio data Page

nBirth Certificate in absence of Passport

nBoth Guarantors names and date of birth

nLetter(s) from employers confirming years of service

nEvidence for loan repayment.

Applications for Overseas Travel

Applicants are to complete the following forms;

nApplication for Temporary Release to Travel Overseas Form

nGuarantors Bond Form

Relevant Overseas Travel Release Docu­ments:

nCertified copy of Passport Biodata Page

nConfirmation of total costing from TSLB

nTravel itinerary/Electronic overseas travel ticket

nLetter from the employer or confirma­tion of overseas leave approval

nEmployment contract letter or recent salary slip if employed

nGuarantors recent Pay-slip (if em­ployed)/Bank statement(Business)

nGuarantors FNPF/FRCS Joint ID (certi­fied copy) or TIN Letter with Photo ID.

These forms are available at all FRCS counters and electronic copies can be downloaded from www.frcs.org.fj or www. tslb.com.fj

These forms needed to be submitted to FRCS 14 working days prior to travel.

Payments and Payment Arrangements

Current and former students who have yet to honor their loan repayment obliga­tions are now encouraged to contact FRCS to make payment arrangements for their student loans.

The followings payment options are avail­able as per Table 1.

It is important to note that providing the correct details such as TIN, name and stu­dent ID when making payments or deposits will assist in updating and reconciling stu­dent accounts.

If you have been making repayments without proper details, please contact the FRCS team immediately.

For further information and queries on TELS recovery, please contact FRCS on 3243981 or 3243933.

For those who wish to mail, it should be sent to the ‘TELS Recovery, Debt Manage­ment Unit, Fiji Revenue & Customs Ser­vice, Private Mail Bag, Suva’.

You are also welcome to email your que­ries and soft copies of your duly completed application forms to tels@frcs.org.fj

Feedback: maraia.vula@fijisun.com.fj