Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Service (TSLS) 2023 Application | Hanbook

1. What are the study loan schemes available for academic year 2023?

• Higher Education Programmes – Level 7 Scheme
• Qualifications Upgrade Scheme
• Existing Employees and Entrepreneurs Scheme
• Skills Qualification @ FNU Scheme
• Skills Qualification Excluding FNU Scheme

2. What is the quota availability per each study loan scheme for the academic year 2023?

• Higher Education Programmes – Level 7 Scheme – 2800 quota availability
•  Qualifications Upgrade Scheme – 400 quota availability
• Existing Employees and Entrepreneurs Scheme – 100 quota availability
• Skills Qualification @ FNU Scheme – 4600 quota availability
• Skills Qualification Excluding FNU Scheme – 100 quota availability

3. What are the eligibility criteria for the study loan schemes available for academic year 2023?

• Higher Education Programmes – Level 7 Scheme [link with eligibility criteria on Home Page].
• Qualifications Upgrade Scheme [link with eligibility criteria on Home Page].
• Existing Employees and Entrepreneurs Scheme [link with eligibility criteria on Home Page].
• Skills Qualification @ FNU Scheme [link with eligibility criteria on Home Page].
• Skills Qualification Excluding FNU Scheme [link with eligibility criteria on Home Page].

4. What are the current disciplines available for the Study Loans Schemes for academic year 2023?

• Higher Education Programmes – Level 7 Scheme [link with eligibility criteria on Home Page].
• Qualifications Upgrade Scheme [link with eligibility criteria on Home Page].
• Existing Employees and Entrepreneurs Scheme [link with eligibility criteria on Home Page].
• Skills Qualification @ FNU Scheme [link with eligibility criteria on Home Page].
• Skills Qualification Excluding FNU Scheme [link with eligibility criteria on Home Page].

5. What is the link to apply for study loans schemes available for academic year 2023?

Visit TSLS website via www.tsls.com.fj to access the TSLS online application system.

6. How to proceed to login and make an online application using the TSLS online application system?

• Once clicked on the icon “Apply Online” the applicants must first register. To successfully register the applicants must have a valid email address (Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail). Applicants can create a new password for application purposes and will be required to activate their account by signing in their email account.
• Once activated fill the personal details and submit to successfully log in and proceed with the application.

7. What to do if the applicant’s TIN is not validated on the TSLS Online Application System?

• Enter the TIN and click outside the box for API Validation.
• Ensure the internet connectivity is stable.
• Clear browsing history and login.
• Visit FRCS for activation.
• Email TSLS IT Helpdesk.

8. What do Red Highlighted fields mean on the TSLS Online Application System?

• This means that the fields are mandatory, and the system will not allow to proceed further unless updated.

9. Once registered how can an applicant proceed to apply for a scheme using the TSLS Online Application System?

• Log in using the registered username and password to view the landing page. From the landing page click on “Click here to apply” icon on the top right-hand corner.
• Upon successful click the applicant can choose the Study Loans scheme.

10. What is the maximum file size to upload a document on the TSLS Online Application System?

• Maximum file size should not exceed 5MB and must be scanned in pdf, png, or jpg format.

11. Is it mandatory to upload Medical Report?

• No, an applicant with medical conditions will only be required to upload a medical report.

12. What does it mean when a preferred programme of choice is not on the TSLS Online Application System drop-down menu?

• This means that the programme is not an approved program under the Study Loans and as such has not been listed as a drop-down.

13. Is it mandatory for an applicant to enter all 3 programme choices under each scheme?

•  Yes, it is mandatory for applicants to enter 3 programme choices per scheme. This is to ensure that if an applicant doesn’t meet the eligibility criteria for the first scheme, the same application can be rejected and assessed for the second and the cycle repeats till the application is approved based on the eligibility criteria or declined.

14. Can an applicant use Provisional Offer Letter from a Higher Education Institution (HEI) to apply using the TSLS Online Application System?

• No, applicants are required to upload their official (final) offer letter from the HEI on the online application system.
• In case if the applicant does not have their official (final) offer letter, they can still proceed with submitting their application without the official (final) offer letter being uploaded. The applicants will be required to upload their official (final) offer letter as soon as same is received from the HEI.

15. Is it mandatory to upload official (final) offer letter by the HEI for each stated programme Choices?

• Applicants are encouraged to load the official (final) offer letter of the first preferred choice of study and of the preferred HEI.

16. What account types can an applicant opt for to receive an allowance?

• An applicant may choose from one of the below account types for allowance disbursement:

1. M-Paisa
2. MyCash
3. Bank
4. Is it mandatory to fill all account types for the purpose of receiving allowances?

• Applicants can opt for one of the account types which shall be the most preferred options to receive allowances. Preference will be given to M-Paisa/MyCash for the purpose of allowance disbursement.

18. Should applicants wait for Year 13 examination results and official (final) offer letter from HEI to commence online application?

• Applicants can still proceed to apply using the TSLS Online Application System without the Year 13 examination result and official (final) offer letter from HEI.
• As soon as the Year 13 examination result and official (final) offer Letter from HEI is received the applicant is required to upload the same on the online application system.

19. Applicant comes from a single parent family; however, the Online Application System is requiring both the parents’ income details. What can the applicant do?

• Parents are divorced/separated – need to upload pay slip or statutory declaration of the parent who is financially supporting the applicant together with documentation for divorce/separation.
• Parent is deceased – need to upload pay slip or statutory declaration of the parent financially supporting the applicant together with a copy of the death certificate of the deceased parent.
• Staying with Guardians – need to upload pay slip or statutory declaration of the guardians together with a separate statutory declaration confirming that the applicant is staying with the guardian since birth.

20. Applicants’ parent/guardian do not have a pay slip. What can the applicant upload as evidence of income in such case.

• In such cases where parent or guardian is unemployed or self-employed, Statutory Declaration needs to be completed, either by the parent or guardian and then uploaded on the online application system.

21. How will an applicant be notified of the Study Loan Status?

• The application status will be notified via the following:

1. Online Application System
2. Applicant’s registered Email

• Applicants can refer below status for its implications:

1. Drafted – This status will notify the applicant of any missing documents that yet to be uploaded on the application system.
2. Processing – This status will notify the applicant that all documents has been loaded and the application is now being assessed by TSLS.
3. Approved – This status will notify the applicant that the application is now approved, and details of the approval will be stated in the Confirmation Letter which will be available downloading on the application profile page.
4. What is the timeframe provided to the Study Loan applicants to upload their signed bond form and offer letter?

• Study Loan recipients are required to fill, scan, and upload their completed bond form and offer letter on the Online Application System within a maximum of 7 calendar days.

23. After the offer for the Study Loan Scheme has been made by TSLS, can the recipient change programme /major/minor/institution of study?

• If funded under the following Study Loans Scheme, then the recipient may change the programme/major/minor/institution once:

1. Higher Education Programmes – Level 7 Scheme
2. Qualifications Upgrade Scheme
3. Existing Employees and Entrepreneurs Scheme
4. Skills Qualification @ FNU Scheme
5. Skills Qualification Excluding FNU Scheme

• Do note that change in programme/major/minor is possible within the same category, however, if you are changing your programme/major/minor from one category to another the assessment for change will be dependent on the MERs and availability of quota.
• While assessing the applications, preference will be given to the recipients “First Choice” and any changes thereafter is entirely dependent on the availability of quota and MER’s.

24. How many times can a recipient apply for change in either the programme/major/minor or institution during the loan duration.

• The recipient can change either their programme/major/minor or institution only once.

25. Can a recipient request for change in program/major/minor/institution after commencement of studies under any Study Loans Scheme?

• No change in programme/major/minor/institution will be approved after commencement of third academic term.
• Where the selection for a study loan is also based on interviews, aptitude tests or any other form of formative assessment, a change in initial programme confirmation is not permitted.
• A change in the programme from the funded discipline area to another discipline will not be granted.

26. What happens to the funding if the loan recipient fails to attain the minimum pass rate requirements under the study loan?

• In case a loan recipient fails to meet the minimum required pass rate then the following procedures will apply:

1. the recipient will be notified in writing by TSLS that his or her performance is under review and that he or she is on probation. The written notice will be issued to the students through the last known email address recorded by TSLS or through any other means of communication. The recipient will be paid while on probation. This will only apply to one academic term in which the recipient has failed to attain the minimum required pass rate.
2. should the recipient meet the minimum required pass rate in the term he or she is on probation, the probation status will be removed in the following term.
3. should the recipient fail to meet the minimum required pass rate in the term on probation, the funding will be suspended for the following term.
4. should the recipient meet the minimum required pass rate in the term on suspension, the funding will be reinstated for the following term.
5. should the recipient fail to meet the minimum required pass rate in the term on suspension, the funding will be terminated.

• A maximum of one probation and one suspension may be considered during the funding duration as stated in the offer letter and bond form.

27. Can a loan recipient withdraw the units enrolled in?

• Request for withdrawal may only be considered under any of the following circumstances:

1. Medical conditions – which prevents a funded from attending classes for a prolonged period of time, supported by a medical report for the duration of the period, from a registered medical practitioner.
2. National duties – where the funded has been selected for national duties (sporting activities, military, or police duties overseas etc.) which requires leave of absence from the country, provided approval is granted by FRCS.
3. Bereavement – due to the death of an immediate family member.

• In case a loan recipient intends to withdraw from the eligible institution or from a course after the payment of tuition and/or allowances for the academic term, the funding must be withdrawn from the recipients account and the recipient will be required to refund any payments already made.
• No withdrawals on the ground of poor academic progress in an enrolled course or unit will be approved under any circumstances.

28. Can a loan recipient postpone/defer their study loan?

• TSLS may consider deferment of a study loan if a recipient’s attendance at an eligible institution is affected on the following grounds:

1. For medical reasons.
2. Peacekeeping deployment.
3. National duties.
4. Any other reason as deemed appropriate by TSLS.

• A study loan may be deferred for a maximum of one academic year.

29. Can a loan recipient repeat units/courses under the Study Loans Scheme?

• TSLS may fund for only one repeat unit or course per annum for courses or units failed after 1 August 2017.

• Any subsequent repeat of a unit or course already funded by TSLS twice must be borne by the student.
• Where there are multiple courses or units to repeat, preference is given to the lowest cost unit or course when deciding which repeated unit is to be funded.

30. A loan recipient’s bond duration has ended however few units/courses are still pending. How can the recipient be funded for the remaining units/courses?

• A loan recipient who fails to complete the programme within the duration stated in the funding confirmation letter, may apply for an extension of funding.
• TSLS will receive and assess applications for the extension of the funding on the following grounds:

1. Change in either the programme, major or minor or institution granted by the TSLS.
2. Medical grounds backed up with medical reports acceptable to the TSLS.
3. Delays caused by an Act of God.
4. A recipient is in his or her graduating term of studies.
5. Bereavement for an immediate family member.
6. Deployment for national duties.

• Any extension granted by TSLS must not exceed one academic year.

31. How can a recipient terminate the study loan?

• Should a recipient choose not to continue with his/her studies under study loan funding, he/she may decide to terminate the loan by filling the TSLS 04 form and submitting the same to TSLS.
• Upon termination of loan, the recipient will be required to repay the total amount expended by the Government to the date of termination of the loan with the applicable penalty rate at the time of termination. The total amount must be repaid in one single payment or under any other arrangement with FRCS.

32. Are Summer/Winter classes funded by TSLS?

• TSLS will pay for tuition and allowances for all eligible units/courses the recipient is enrolled for provided the loan duration has not ended.
• A recipient is required to apply for funding for the units/courses enrolled during summer/winter classes using the TSLS approved form.

33. When will the payment process at TSLS begin on disbursement of allowances?

• To be eligible for allowances the applicants must be approved and confirmed for the offered programme. Upon confirmation tagging is done by TSLS and the HEI will send the enrollment report based on the tagging.
• TSLS will process the allowances subject to the enrolment report submitted by the HEI followed by the disbursement.

34. When will the allowances for each new academic term be paid?

All allowance payment is subject to the receipt of student’s enrolment report from their respective higher education institutions.

An enrolment report contains courses/units for a particular academic term that student is enrolled in and classifies the same as first attempt, second attempt and subsequent attempt.

TSLS will pay the allowances progressively in two or more batches as enrolment reports are received. The first batch of allowances will be paid by the 4^th week of lectures.

35. How is the allowance calculated and paid?

Allowances for each academic term will be calculated based on the load factor. A load factor is defined as the number of allowance eligible courses a recipient is enrolled for in a term divided by the total number of courses the recipient is required to enrol in as a full-time student.

The following are not included as eligible course(s) for the purpose of calculating the allowance:

1. Repeat courses/units.
2. Foundation/bridging courses which are not part of the recipients TSLS approved programme.
3. Any courses/units which are not part of the TSLS-approved programme e.g., Free Courses/Units offered by HEI’s (e.g., UU100A at USP) and Professional Accreditation courses e.g., FIA Courses).

• A recipient who fails to register for full academic load will be paid allowances on a pro-rata basis.
• All allowances for study loans will be subject to zoning policy.
• TSLS reserves the right to pay your allowance in one or more batches. For example, 50% before the mid-term break and 50% after the mid-term break.