41. What happens if I want to terminate my bond after working for some period in Fiji?
You can terminate for bond after working for some period in Fiji.
Upon termination, you will be required to repay the Fijian Government through FRCS based on the pro-rata basis of your total bond period. The total amount that you need to repay will be for the unserved period of the total bond.
The example below, demonstrates how much you have to repay.
| Scholarship Particulars |
Your Particulars |
| Program |
Bachelor of Commerce |
| Years of Sponsorship by TSLS by NTS |
3 years |
| Total Bond Period |
3*1.5=4.5 years |
| Total Value of the Scholarship (including all allowances paid) |
$38,000 |
| Total Number of Years required to work in Fiji |
4.5 Years |
| Number of Years worked before deciding to terminate your Bon |
2 Years |
| Number of Years remaining to be served |
2.5 Years |
| Dollar Value of the Amount Yet to be served |
= (2.5/4.5) *38,000
= $21111.1 |
| Add 10% Termination Penalty |
=10% of $38,000
=$3,800 |
| Total Payable |
=$21,111.11+ $3,800
=$24911.1 |
42. Do I require guarantors for signing the bond for NTS Local award?
No. Students are self-guarantors.
43. Do I require guarantors for signing the bond for NTS Overseas award? (Suspended from 2021 till further notice!!!)
Yes. The bond form must be completed and guaranteed by two working persons residing in Fiji with a minimum income of FJD15,000 per annum or as determined by FRCS and who should be in a position to repay the sum owed should you fail to comply with the terms and conditions of the award.
The guarantors must provide the following to TSLS as part of the signed Schedule 2 of the bond form: TIN letter, Recent Salary Slip, Recent FNPF Statement, and Birth Certificate.
It is important that the guarantors fully understand their responsibilities and obligations towards the agreement before they sign the bond form.
44. What happens if I submit any false information to TSLS or FRCS?
It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that any information submitted to TSLS/FRCS at any stage during the application, application processing, course of studies and post-graduation to provide true and complete information.
The False Information Act 2016 ('Act') establishes liability for the provision of false Information to any officer, agent or representative of the Government or an entity. Section 2 provides the definition of 'entity' as an organization that receives funding from the Government and which the Attorney-General prescribes by notice in the Gazette.
Section 2 also provides the definition of 'false information' as meaning information which is false, Incorrect, untrue or misleading in whole or part, substance or form.
Section 4(1) of the Act provides that a person must not knowingly make a false representation to any officer, agent or representative of the Government or entity for the purpose of obtaining a benefit. Section 4(2) further provides that any person who contravenes subsection (1) commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $20000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 10 years, or to both.
Section 7 of the Act further provides the meaning of 'knowingly' as if the person is aware that the information the person is providing false information, is aware that the information the person is providing is likely to be false information and is reckless in that regard or provides any information and is reckless as to whether that information is false information.
Section 8 of the Act provides that Part 7 of the Crimes Act 2009 apply to offences under this Act and section 9 of the Act provides that absolute liability applies to the offences under this Act in accordance with section 25 of the Crimes Act 2009.
Section 10 of the Act provides for the recovery of the benefit from a person convicted of an offence under the Act and section 11 provides for the recovery of the benefit from a third party.
TSLS /FRCS reserve the right to terminate the award and execute the recovery action should it be established that the student furnished false information at any stage of schemes application and benefit.
45. When does the application for NTS open? When does it close?
Application opening and closing date will be published in the local media, TSLS website and official social media after the budget announcement each year. This will normally be in July of each year.
Application closing date will be 31 December of each year. TSLS will not receive or consider any late application for NTS in any circumstances unless the closing date is extended.
46. How do I apply for NTS?
You need to apply using the TSLS Online Application Portal available on
www.tsls.com.fj using the following steps:
- Scan and get all the required documents ready before starting the process of applying online in the pdf, png, or jpg format.
- Visit www.tsls.com.fj and register for TSLS online application. Applicants cannot apply online unless registered first.
- Once registered fill the appropriate information.
- Upload all the required documents.
- Submit the online application.
- You do not need to fill another TELS application form separately as all unsuccessful applications for NTS will be considered for TELS if they successfully passed Y13 or equivalent foundation studies. You need to indicate your TELS Choices and allowance preference in the required section of the NTS application.
47. Can I apply without my Year 13 results and Offer letter from the institutions as Year 13 results are only released in December while Offer letters may be received after the closing date of 31st December each year?
Yes: You can and must to apply before 31 December each year even if you do not have Year 13 results or the offer letter from the institution or both. TSLS online application system is designed in such a way that you can apply with these essential documents and upload the same even after the closing date.
So, you need to ensure that you have applied and completed all aspects of the application, except Year 13 results and offer letters before the application closing date.
Your application will only be processed after you have uploaded the Year 13 results and offer letter from the institutions. However, you will not miss out on the award if you have met the qualifying criteria and uploaded these 2 essential documents before the last day of application processing.
You need to log into TSLS website www.tsls.com.fj for the NTS application processing opening and closing date for each year.
48. Can I attach my provisional offer letter from the institution for my TSLS application?
No: You must never attach your provisional offer letter with your TSLS application. In case you do this, your offer letter will be removed, your application moved to incomplete state or even totally rejected by TSLS.
49. How would I be notified the outcome of my NTS application?
You will be notified on the outcome of your application after your application is processed. That is between the application processing opening and closing dates. The notification will be sent to the email address that you used to register and apply for the scholarship.
You must also login into your TSLS account on TSLS website www.tsls.com.fj and check on your application status on your home/landing page. In case your application was successful, your application status will change from “Processing” to “Approved” and you will be given the option to download your “NTS Offer Letter” and “Bond Form”.
In case you were not successful with the application, your application status will change Processing” to “Rejected” and you will notice that a “TELS” application will be created for you on your home/landing page.
50. What happens if my application for NTS has not been successful?
In case your application for NTS was not successful, your application will automatically be pushed to TELS and assessed and processed for TELS.
What you need to do after your NTS application has been declined by TSLS is to visit your landing and check that your TELS application status is reading as “Processing”. In case it is showing as “Incomplete”, you need to complete the missing details and documents so that your application can be processed by TSLS staff.
51. How do I fill the bond form and offer letter if I have received the provisional offer letter?
After your application is processed and if you are successful with the NTS application, a copy of the personalized NTS Provisional Offer Letter and Bond Form will be available on your TSLS Home/Landing page.
You need to download and fill the documents as follows:
- Offer letter- read and initial all pages on the bottom right-hand corner. Then enter your details and sign off on the last page of the letter and get the same witnessed and scan and save the whole document (all pages).
- Bond Form – fill and sign only pages and 1 and 3 only if you are a NTS Local Scholarship recipient. Do not fill anything on Schedules 1 and 2 if you are a NTS Local Scholarship recipient.
If you are NTS Overseas Scholarship recipient, then you need to fill pages 1 and 3 as well as Schedule 2 of the Bond Form. Do not fill anything in Schedule 1 & Schedule 3. This needs to be filled and submitted to FRCS at least 7 days before you depart Fiji.
After filling and signing the bond form, scan and save the entire (all pages) of the bond form.
52. How much time do I have to complete the bond form and offer letter and submit the same to TSLS?
You must sign and scan every page of the bond form and offer letter and upload on your landing/home page on TSLS website www.tsls.com.fj within 7 days from the date shown on your offer letter.
In case you fail to sign and upload the bond form and offer within 7 days from the date of offer, your application will be rejected and moved to TELS.
53. When and how is my NTS award confirmed?
Once you have uploaded your completed and signed offer letter and bond form, TSLS will carry out the assessment.
Upon assessment of your signed offer letter and bond if the documents are in order, you will receive another email to indicate that your award has been confirmed.
Your application status on your landing page will change from “Approved” to “Confirmed”.
Log into your online application and download and print your confirmation letter from your profile page. This will be uploaded by TSLS at the same place where you downloaded your offer letter and bond form from.
Once this is done, your application processing is completed and there is no need for you to come to TSLS in relation to your application matters.
54. What should I do after I have received the award confirmation letter from TSLS?
Enrol for courses in the program stated in your TSLS NTS Confirmation letter and start your classes at the institutions of your choice and TSLS will pay the allowances in the nominated bank account/m-paisa number and Tuition directly to the Institution.
In case your university requires, provide a copy of your TSLS conformation letter to the Finance Team of your University.
55. Will my tuition and allowances be paid if I have been given the award offer by TSLS but have not returned the signed offer letter and bond form to TSLS?
Your fees and/or allowances will not be disbursed until we receive your offer letter and bond document, duly and satisfactorily completed and the award confirmation letter is issued by TSLS.
The process of tuition and allowance payment is as follows and unless all steps are completed, neither tuition nor any allowances will be paid by TSLS:
- TSLS issues the successful applicants provisional offer letter and bond form;
- Successful applicants to complete the bond form and offer letter, sign the required pages, scan the entire documents, upload on their landing/home page on TSLS website www.tsls.com.fj.
- TSLS staff assess the bond form and offer letter.
- TSLS issue the award confirmation letter;
- TSLS sends the tagging list (list of NTS sponsored students to the institutions);
- Higher Education Institutions send the enrolment report to TSLS;
- Based on the enrolment report received, TSLS staff process and pay your allowances;
- Higher Education Institutions bill TSLS for your tuition, hostel and general service fees;
- TSLS processes and pays your tuition, hostel and general service fees.
56. What are my requirements after I have completed my program of studies?
Upon completion of studies, the awardee must submit and keep TSLS updated on the following:
- Program Completion Letter from the Higher Education Institution; and
- Complete Academic Transcript and Certificate upon Graduation.
Upon receipt of the above documents, TSLS will change your student status from “Active” to “Graduate” and not further tagging will be sent to your institution and allowance paid.
You must also immediately submit to FRCS, a copy of the employment contract or appointment letter for the purpose of bond service monitoring.
Bond clearance letter will be issued by FRCS upon production of evidence by the awardee for the completion of the years of service required.
For any change(s) in employment, notification in writing must be submitted to FRCS.
57. How do I notify TSLS of any changes that I wish to make to my personal, academic and finance details with TSLS?
You need to fill Form TSLS 04 and submit to TSLS to notify of any changes to your personal, academic or finance details.
TSLS/FRCS will send all correspondences regarding the Scholarship to the email address (es) or other contact details as per the awardees’ application form. As such you must immediately notify TSLS/FRCS of any changes to your contact details.
Likewise, TSLS will pay all allowances on the M-Paisa or Bank account details as such any changes needs to be communicated to TSLS using Form TSLS 04, otherwise delays in payments will occur.
Completed Form TSLS 04 must be hand delivered to TSLS office nearest to you. TSLS does not accept emailed or faxed forms.
58. What should I do if I am facing issues that is affecting my academic progress or I am struggling to cope up with my studies?
You must immediately contact TSLS Student Counsellor on email address counselor@tsls.com.fj to arrange for an appointment to meet and discuss your issues. This will help TSLS understand your issue and suggest ways to overcome the same.
Remember leaving it too late or making an attempt to explain your reason(s) for poor academic performance after the final examinations will not help you as the same will not be considered by TSLS.
TSLS prefers early intervention on matters affecting a student’s welfare and academic performance and as such you must contact TSLS Student Counsellor immediately for any issue affecting your academic performance.
59. What is the “Zoning policy”? Does it apply to NTS applicants?
Under Study Where You Live (Zoning) policy to qualify for TELS-Accommodation Support Scheme students seeking financial assistance from TSLS under TELS, must enrol at campuses within their locality. A campus within their locality means that the program is offered by the institution of their choice at campuses close to their home on a full-time basis and they can commute from home to attend classes or can complete their studies via alternative mode of studies without having to re-locate.
Students enrolling at campuses within their locality may be eligible for bus fare and incidental allowances only. No Food and Rent/Hostel Allowance will be paid.
In case a student still prefers to move to the main campus regardless of the program being offered in their locality, the allowance eligibility will be restricted to bus fare and incidental only.
Currently the Zoning Policy does not apply to NTS students. However, this may be reviewed in the future.
60. Can I work part-time while being on NTS scholarship?
Yes. You may work part-time while being on NTS Scholarship upon prior written approval from TSLS. However, you cannot decrease your academic load (that is enrol for fewer courses/units) while working on a part-time basis. Also engaging in employment should not affect your academic performance as this may lead to direct termination of your employment.
You must seek prior written approval from TSLS before engaging in any part-time employment during any academic term while under NTS. You must submit a letter of request to the Section Head Scholarships on scholarships@tsls.com.fj . In the letter of request, you must include the place of employment, days and hours of employment and the duration of employment.
You can engage in Part-Time employment during your Semester breaks without any written approval from TSLS.
No full-time employment can be accepted while on NTS Scholarship.