2016

TERTIARY EDUCATION LOANS SCHEME

GUIDELINES AND POLICIES

Disclaimer
This policy document and guidelines contains information that is current at the time of
publication and may change based on any changes to the policies and requirements of the
Fijian Government. Visit www.tslb.com.fj for updates and further information. Where your
legal rights are involved, do not rely on this brochure. Instead, review the law yourself or
consult your Attorney.
 TERTIARY EDUCATION LOANS SCHEME (TELS) GUIDELINES AND POLICIES

GUIDELINES

1.0 Intent Statement

1.1 The intent of this policy document is to provide information to the students and
public on the procedure for applying for, and receiving, the Tertiary Education Loans
Scheme and to serve as a guide for facilitators of the process.

1.2 It is very much hoped that this policy will serve as a framework from which reflective
assessment and innovative thinking will emerge and informed decisions made by the
applicants and recipients of the National Toppers Scheme Awards.

1.3 The policy statement, principles and guidelines documented in this document are
neither prescriptive nor exhaustive and serve to provide guidance for achieving
compliant, efficient and effective administration of the Tertiary Education Loans
Scheme that is integrated with the strategic and operational activities of the Board
and other policies governing the functions of the Board and staff conduct. This Guide
should be used in conjunction with the other policies and guidelines of the Board and
the Fijian Government.

2.0 WHAT IS THE TERTIARY EDUCATION LOAN SCHEME?

2.1 Tertiary Education Loan Scheme (TELS) is a fund intended to provide financing to
Fijian students who have qualified for higher education in approved institutions of
higher learning but are unable to support themselves financially.
2.2 The Scheme provides student loans to eligible citizens of Fiji to enable them access
higher education at affordable rates and increase equitable access to higher
education in the country in line with the Fijian Governments vision of Building a
Smarter Fiji.

3.0 CATEGORIES OF LOAN SCHEME

3.1 TELS for New Students

o For all students who have completed Year 13 or equivalent Foundation Studies in
year 2011 or thereafter.
o Students with Year Marks of 200 or above or those who have completed
equivalent foundation studies qualify for Certificate, Diploma, Advanced Diploma
or Degree Programs at any approved Higher Education Institution in Fiji, provided
they get an offer letter from the Institution.
o Students who have completed Year 13 or foundation studies and have marks

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 below 200 or a GPA below 2.0 qualify for TELS for a Certificate or Trade Diploma
at any approved Higher Education Institution in Fiji, provided they get a offer
letter from the Institution.

3.2 TELS for Existing Tertiary Students

o For all students already enrolled for higher education at one of the approved
Higher Education Institution in 2012 or thereafter, have shown satisfactory
progress (GPA above 2.0) and need tuition funding to complete their studies.

3.3 TELS Technical College of Fiji

o For all students who :

Have completed Year 10 (Form 4) ;Or
Is aged 15 years or over and has a minimum qualification of Year 8 or 9 and
has work experience.

3. 4 TELS- Private Sector Employee

o For an employee earning an annual income of not more than $25,000 and seeks to
attain academic qualification or upgrade existing qualifications at an eligible
institution either as a part-time or full-time student.

3.5 TELS Public Sector Employees

o For an employee working in the public service and seeks to attain academic
qualification or upgrade existing qualifications at an eligible institution.

3.6 TELSAccommodation Loan Scheme (ALS)

o For Full Time Students only.

o Students can borrow for:
RentMaximum of $250/month, provided a duly signed and stamped
tenancy agreement is submitted or letter of placement at Hostel is
submitted.
Bus fare Maximum of $15/week if travelling by bus.
FoodMaximum of $50/week
o Priority will be given to students from rural and maritime areas and not to
students who study closest to their homes where a program of study is available.
o Students who travel from their homes may borrow to fund their bus fares only.
o Loans support will be means tested.
o TSLB reserves the right to review the current rates.

3.7 TELS Pilot Training

o Only 20 awards per year.

o Only to 20 students who have completed Year 13 in a year preceding the award

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 year.
o The review of all applications for the pilot training (only the 20 spots are available)
are carried out by Fiji Airways as the Airline would be the main employer of such
new pilots.
o The assessment by Fiji Airways is not only based on academic results or excellence
but the individuals psychological, emotional and physiological characteristics
amongst other considerations. However, the precise nature of the selection is
guided by Fiji Airways selection criteria and they have the final say in such matters
under the policy guidelines for funding of the pilot training courses.

4.0 Qualifying Institutions

4.1 The following local Higher Education Institutions qualify for the NTS awards under the
Fijian Governments priority areas:

University of Fiji
Fiji National University
The University of the South Pacific
Corpus Christi Teachers College
Fulton University College
Sangam Institute of Nursing
Centre for Applied Technology Development
Technical College of Fiji
Pacific Flying School
Advanced Aviation Training

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 TERTIARY EDUCATION LOANS SCHEMES TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Confirmation

(A) Confirmation of the award is subject to the following conditions being satisfied;

I. Proper completion of Bond Form requirements.

II. Proof that courses or subject being pursued this year are not repeat courses
from previous years under any Scholarship or Loans Scheme.
III. Offer letter for a place or evidence of registration or pre-enrolment at the
chosen approved Higher Education Institution.
IV. The awardee is not a recipient of another scholarship or Loan Scheme, whether
partial or full.
V. Open an account with a Local Bank and submit your account number with
evidence to TSLB. All financial assistance except for the tuition fees, book
allowances and hostel payments are released to you through your Bank
account

(B) The offer will be automatically cancelled if any or all of the above conditions is/are
not met.

(C) If at any time, it is discovered that any information submitted on the Bond Form,
Application Form, Advisory Form or any other documents submitted is false, the
awardees award will be withdrawn/terminated immediately.

2. Duration

2.1 The TELS award will be for a period equivalent to the minimum program duration of a
students choice at the respective Higher Education Institution OR as soon as a student
completes the programme of studies, whichever is earlier.

2.2 The recipient will have to shoulder the cost at their own expense if the approved
studies go beyond the approved period.

3. Change on Program/Degree Major (s)/Minor/Institution

3.1 Any change in program/major/minor/institution must be approved by the Tertiary

Scholarship and Loans Board Committee. An approved change in

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 program/major/minor/institution by the Board shall be completed within the duration
not exceeding the duration specified in the bond form from the initial semester of the
award under the initial contract.

3.2 If approval for change in program, major, minor or institution is granted, students will
be liable to pay the differences in fees or any additional allowances that may be
required.

3.3 At the very latest, shifting of course/transferring to another school may be allowed
during the first year under TELS.

3.4 Extensions to these loans or any changes to the conditions on the request of the
recipient will not be given unless written permission from the guarantor(s) is received.

3.5 If request is approved, the student and the guarantor(s) shall sign the amendatory
agreement which shall be made an integral part of recipients scholarship
agreement.

4.0 TELS privileges

4.1 During the regular academic year:

Tuition fees only based on the Statement of Account/Bill/Official Receipt payable

directly to the Higher Education Institute.
Full Time Students can borrow for:

RentMaximum of $250/month, provided a duly signed and stamped

tenancy agreement is submitted or letter of placement at Hostel is
submitted.
Bus fare Maximum of $15/week if travelling by bus.
FoodMaximum of $50/week
o Students who travel from their homes may borrow to fund their bus fares only.
o Loans support will be means tested.

4.2 During the summer term:

TSLB can avail financial assistance if you are required to enrol as per your curriculum of
study:

o Tuition Fees Only.

5.0 Enjoyment of any other scholarship award

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5.1 A award recipient cannot enjoy other government scholarship simultaneous with this
Loan Scheme or any other scholarship award for the same purpose that interferes
with the recipients contractual obligation under the TELS Award.

6.0 Review Of Award

6.1 This Loan Scheme will be reviewed on a semester/ trimester/penster basis and
students will be immediately suspended or have the award terminated if he/she:

I. Fails to meet the required pass , which is 50% above in the first academic
term and 75% and above in the subsequent academic terms;
II. Fails to maintain and take full academic load as per the eligibility criteria for
the Higher Education Institute for each semester/ trimester/penster during
the duration of the program under the award;
III. Is academically suspended/terminated by the Higher Education Institute;
IV. Abandons studies without the approval of the board;
V. Is deregistered for any reason including disciplinary action instituted by the
Higher Education Institute;
VI. Changes programme / majors without the approval of the Tertiary
Scholarship and Loans Board;
VII. Provides false and misleading information to the Board with the objective
to take financial advantage;
VIII. Is required to repeat a semester/years work in order to complete your
programme.

6.2 The cost of any failed units already under the award or any existing award or
scholarship re-attempted to enable the student to complete the program will
be borne by the students themselves.

6.3 TELS does not support foundation studies.

6.4 Should the award be terminated on the above grounds, amongst others or the
student wish to terminate the award agreement, the student will be required
to repay one hundred and fifty percent (150%) of monetary value the Fijian
Government has utilised from the commencement date till the termination of
the award in one single payment or depending on the circumstances of each
case on its own merit. The Boards discretion is unfettered.

7.0 Academic Obligation and Grade Deficiency

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 7.1 Grantees must fully comply with the pass rate requirements at all times. The
required pass rate is 50% or above in the first academic term and 75% and above in
the subsequent academic terms.

7.2 TSLB committee on TELS may recommend the continuation of TELS on a case
to case basis for a graduating scholar or a scholar who fails to meet the grade
requirements but in good academic standing during the preceding years of his/her
scholarship.

7.3 For your guidance, please refer to the action taken should you incur any of the
following academic deficiencies:

Grade Deficiency Action on Scholarship

Pass Rate of 50%-75% Student counselled and award continues
with a condition that the next academic
term results produce a pass rate of 75%
or above.
Pass Rate below 50% Student counselled and put on a
probationary period. If the Pass Rate
does not improve above 50% in the next
immediate academic term, award to be
suspended for one academic term.

7.4 Students whose TELS gets suspended are eligible to get TELS by undertaking the
required units privately in an academic term and meeting the required pass rate
provided they are not on academic suspension by the Higher Education Institution.

7.5 In any of the cases above, should you wish to appeal the decision of the Board, you are
required to appeal to the Solicitor Generals Office in writing stating clearly the
grounds for appeal within 14 days of receipt of this notification.

7.6 An award recipient must enrol in the regular academic load for each semester/term as
prescribed in your curriculum/program of study.

8.0 Obligations of Guarantors

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 8.1 Assume the civil liabilities that you may incur under the agreement, as well as civil
liabilities which you may incur in favor of other persons;

8.2 Assume the obligation to pay whatever amount you shall be required to refund in
the event that you fail to comply with the bond requirements or if the scholarship is
terminated in accordance with the provisions of the Scholarship Agreements.

9.0 Deferring TELS

9.1 TSLB may consider deferment of a students TELS(s) if a students attendance at the
Higher Education Institute is affected for medical reasons, military deployment,
national duties or other selected reasons, provided that a student meets certain
criteria.

9.2 For a students TELS to be deferred, the student must attend at least one full-time year
of studies prior to his or her departure and meet the minimum criteria for renewal of
his or her scholarship(s) during the semester(s) he or she attends prior to leaving.

9.3 Enrolment at another Higher Education Institute of acceptance of another award

during the deferment period will result in an automatic cancellation of the
scholarship.

9.4 Deferment of studies without prior written approval from TSLB will be deemed as
abandonment of studies and will result in an automatic termination of the award by
TSLB.

9.5 To request a deferral, a student should submit a letter/deferment of studies

application form, prior to the departure requesting the scholarship be held for a
specified period of time. The application must include when the student is leaving,
when he or she plans to return, and the reason for the deferment request (evidence
such as medical certificate etc. must be attached).

9.6 TSLBs general policy is that the award can be held for up to two academic terms and
approval is dependent on the availability of remaining Loans funds.

9.7 No deferment of studies will be allowed for vacation purposes.

9.8 The letter should be submitted to the TSLB Offices located in Suva, Lautoka and Labasa
or by email tels@tslb.com.fj

10.0 Non-compliance Cases

10.1 A non-compliance case refers to a grantee who has not submitted the following
required periodic reports to TSLB for two (2) consecutive academic terms:
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 Official grades
Registration form or certificate of enrolment
Request for leave of absence/Deferment of Studies
Other pertinent documents

10.2 A non-complying student may be suspended for the period he/she stopped
reporting (no more than 2 academic terms).Non- compliance status beyond two (2)
academic terms will result in termination of the award.

10.3 A Non-Compliant student may appeal for the reinstatement of his/her TELS
during the suspension period.

10.3 If after evaluation of a students academic records, his/her scholarship can be

reinstated, his/her financial privileges shall resume only effective the semester
his/her TELS is reinstated. His/her financial assistance is forfeited during the
semesters he/she did not report.

10.4 A student who has stopped studying for more than two academic terms and the
award is not reinstated shall be considered to have wilfully abandoned TELS; thus,
he/she shall be required to refund the total financial assistance he/she received as a
student plus 50% penalty.

11.0 Enrolment of Subject Load per Academic Term

11.1 The TELS award requires undergraduate students to enroll in the full subject load of
the program of study as per the academic regulation of the Higher Education Institute.

11.2 TELS will disburse as long as they meet all of the requirements for the award and
are enrolled in at least the required full academic load or credits.

11.3 Students must also remain enrolled in at least the required full academic. If a
student has dropped enrolment below the full load requirement, TELS may be
cancelled.

11.4 A study load of less than 50% of the allowable units in an academic term is deemed
to be a part-time load and may lead to the termination of the award and/or payment
of the allowances on a pro-rata basis.

11.5 If a student completely withdraws from the HEI or from a unit after payment of
tuition and/or allowances for the academic term, TELS will be cancelled from the

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 students account and the student will be required to refund the payments already
made to TSLB.

12.0 Extension of the Award

12.1 The Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board reserve the right to extend or terminate
the award if it deems it necessary to do so.

12.2 Recipients general conduct on campus, academic performance or any other report
that will be received from the Institution will be considered in deciding on the
extension or termination of the award.

13.0 Bond

13.1 Award receipts are required to sign and undertake to repay the Fijian Government
for the total expenses paid by the Board for the duration of your studies plus the
appropriate interest rates. The following should be carefully noted.

I. The bond documents (2 sets) must be completed and guaranteed by two

working persons residing in Fiji(minimum income of FJD10,000 per annum) and
who should be in the position to repay the sum of money should the student
fail to comply with the terms of the award. In case the receipt cannot find a
guarantor, the receipt needs to provide a statutory declaration to put
himself/herself as the guarantor.
II. It is important that guarantors fully understand their responsibilities and
obligation under the agreement.
III. A third person must witness the signature. The award recipient and the
guarantor should not witness each others signature.

13.2 Award recipients tuition and/or allowances will not be paid until TSLB receives the
bond document, duly and satisfactory completed.

14.0 Periodic reports during the duration of studies

14.1 It will be the responsibility of the student to provide TSLB certified copy/official copy

1. Registration form submitted within two weeks at the beginning of the new
academic terms;

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 2. Report of grades (in all the subjects you enrolled in) submitted at the end of the
academic terms.
3. Advisory Forms include any plan for travel/s abroad; changes, if any, in field of
study, school, home address, civil status, legal guardian, comments which may be
relevant to your study, and such reports that may be required from time to time.
4. Program Audit Certificate- at the end of each academic year, before 30 December
of each academic year.

15.0 Termination of TELS

15.1 TSLB reserves the right to terminate your TELS if you:

1. Fail to maintain the pass rate requirements; or

2. Fail to comply with any of the terms and conditions of the Scholarship
Agreement.

15.2 Upon the termination of TELS, the recipient shall refund the total financial
assistance received as a scholar with 50% penalty.

16.0 Accommodation

16. 1 All accommodation arrangements shall be the responsibility of the student. TSLB will
not be involved in any way.

17.0 Listing with Immigration

17.1 Upon the acceptance of this offer and the submission of the duly signed bond firm,
the award recipients name will be listed on the watch list of the Fijian Immigration
Department.

17.2 The award recipients name will remain on the watch list unless the bond period is
fully served.

18.0 Requirements Upon completion of Studies

18.1 Upon completion of studies under the award, the recipient must submit and keep
TSLB dated as follows:

I. Program Completion Letter from the Higher Education Institution;

II. Complete Academic Transcript and Certificate upon Graduation;

III. Original Copy of the Bank Statement for the duration of sponsorship used for the
receipt of the allowances;

IV. Employment Contract letter (s) until the loan amount with any accrued interest is
fully paid off.

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 V. For any change(s) in employment, notification in writing must be sent to TSLB.

VI. Authority for deduction of 20% of Gross Salary to the employer payable to the
Fijian Government.

VII. TSLB will issue you a final clearance upon repayment of the full debt with any
accrued interest.

18.2 Students are required to make regular repayments (based on the regularity of their
income) on their loan. Any request for an extension to a loan must be made directly to
TSLB, however this will only be considered if extenuating circumstances can be
demonstrated

19.0Non-Payment of Loans

19.1 TSLB will take all necessary measures provided in law to recover outstanding loans
and charges owing under this scheme.

19.2 Under Section 18 of the Decree, TSLB can take one or a combination of the following
actions for loan recovery:
Deduction from the persons salary by directing the employer to
commence with the deductions;
Acquisition of property used as security in the loan or bond agreement;
Taking court action;
Reporting to international credit bureaus or agencies; or
Such other action as the Board deems necessary.

19.3 In accordance with TSLBs Collection Procedures, where legal action is required,
recoverable court costs will be added to the outstanding amount due.

20.0 Permission to Travel Aboard

20.1 Students must obtain written clearance the Board by meeting all requirements
should they wish to travel abroad during the bond period by giving at least 10 days
advance notice to the Board.

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21.0 Civil servants

20.1 If you are a civil servant, you are requested to liaise with your own Ministry regarding
study leave with/without salary. TSLB will not be involved in any way.

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