1. What is Tertiary Education Loans Scheme (“TELS”) and the Quota System?
Tertiary Education Loans Scheme (“TELS”) is a fund intended to provide finance to Fijian students who have qualified for higher education at approved institutions but are unable to support themselves financially.
The Scheme provides student’s zero or low interest loans to eligible Fijians to enable them access to higher education, in line with the Fijian Government’s vision of “Building a Smarter Fiji”.
For the new financial year (1 August 2021-31 July 2022), a maximum of 2000 students will be funded under the following TELS Schemes:
- TELS New
- TELS Existing
- TELS Public Sector Employees.
- TELS Private Sector Employees.
- TELS for Accommodation Support scheme.
A new scheme has been announced for TELS for TVET students at the Fiji National University which has a quota of another 5000 sponsorship.
The quota will be reviewed on annual basis and the same will be published in the advertisements for the following year applications.
2. Is it true that everyone that gets an offer letter from the Higher Education Institution qualifies for TELS?
No. Each of the Tertiary Education Loans Scheme has its own set of eligibility criteria. Only students who meet the respective category of TELS eligibility criteria are approved for TELS.
It is important to note that each Higher Education Institution has its own eligibility criteria and based on the criteria, they may make offers to students. While an offer letter is a mandatory document for TSLS Offer under any scheme, the applicants first need to meet the eligibility criteria to qualify for TELS.
3. Is TELS available for Overseas Studies?
No. TELS is restricted to studies at an eligible program at any qualifying local higher education institution only.
Under no circumstances, TELS will be approved for any overseas studies. This applies to any Regional campuses of an Institution based in Fiji also.
4. Is TELS available for Post-Graduate Studies?
No. All funding under TELS is strictly restricted to qualifications up to First Bachelor’s Degree locally only.
Under no circumstances any funding for Post Level Qualifications (Post-Graduate Certificate, Post –Graduate Diploma, Masters, PhD etc.) will be approved by TSLS.
5. Does TELS support Foundation Studies/Bridging programs/courses?
No. Foundation Studies or bridging programs/courses are not funded under TELS.
6. What are the other programs/course which are not funded by TSLS under any category of TELS?
- Overseas Studies.
- Foundation Studies.
- Unclassified/Undergraduate Programs.
- Short Courses.
- Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
- Bachelor or Oral Health.
- Bachelor of Oral Health and Dental Surgery.
- Programs not attracting sufficient cross credits for the next level of studies in the same program. This includes but is not limited to Pacific TAFE programs (Early Childhood program offered by Pacific TAFE is eligible for TELS funding).
- Post Graduate Qualifications.
- Franchise programs.
- Double Degrees.
- Pilot Training.
- Upgrade of qualification.
- Any programs or institutions not listed in the drop-down menu of the TSLS Online Application System.
- Professional Accreditation Courses e.g. FIA, CPA, CISCO etc.; and
- Program not registered/accredited with Fiji Higher Education Commission.
7. How many categories of TELS are there and what are these categories?
Currently there are 8 categories of TELS as follows with each category having its own eligibility criteria for application:
- TELS for New Students.
- TELS for Existing Tertiary Students.
- TELS for Private Sector Employees.
- TELS for Public Sector Employees.
- TELS Accommodation Support Scheme.
- TELS for TVET students at the Fiji National University.
- TELS for Pilot Training (suspended from 2021 till further notice!!!).
- TELS for Graduates Seeking to upgrade to MBBS (suspended from 2021 till further notice!!!).
8. Which local higher education institutions are currently eligible for students funding under TELS?
- University of Fiji.
- Fiji National University.
- The University of the South Pacific.
- Corpus Christi Teachers College.
- Fulton University College.
- Sangam Institute of Technology.
- Centre for Applied Technology and Development.
- Pacific Flying School-Pilot Training.
- Advanced Aviation Training-Pilot Training.
9. What is the eligibility criteria to apply for TELS for New Students?
All applicants for this scheme must satisfy all of the following application eligibility criteria;
- Must be a Fijian Citizen;
- Must be an ordinarily resident in Fiji for at least three years before the loan commencement date.
- Must have completed Year 13 in 2011 or thereafter locally and scored a minimum of 280/400 in the Fiji Year 13 Examination / Fiji Seventh Form Examination (FSFE) or it’s equivalence as determined by the Board; or
- Completion of full Foundation Studies (bridging or completion of few foundation studies courses only does not meet the definition of full foundation studies) with a GPA of 3.15/4.5 or 3.50/5.0 or above;
- Combined family income to be less than $100,000; and
- Must have a final offer letter from a local qualifying HEI in an eligible program.
10. What are the documents that I need to submit with my TELS for New Students application?
The list of documents required for TELS for New Students Applications are as follows:
| Required Document |
Description |
Document Type |
| Birth Certificate |
Either scanned copy of original or scanned copy of certified true of copy |
Mandatory |
| TIN Letter/Joint Card |
Scanned |
Mandatory |
| Bank Statement |
Bank account should be under your name. Scanned |
Mandatory if applying for allowances and preference is for receipt of allowances in Bank Account |
| Medical Report |
To be scanned and attached only if ticked Yes for Medical History |
Non-Mandatory |
| Vaccination Detail if above age of 18 |
Scanned copy of your Vaccination card |
Mandatory |
| Year 12 Result |
Scanned copy of the original |
Mandatory |
| Year 13/Foundation studies/Equivalent of Year 13 Result |
Scanned copy of provisional result for Year 13 and Official results for others. This can be uploaded after the application closing date |
Mandatory |
| Higher Education Institution Offer letter |
Scanned copy. Do not attach any provisional offer letter. This can be uploaded after the application closing date
In case you have already done courses for the program for which you are seeking funding, enrolment/registration evidence can be attached. You need to submit full results as well |
Mandatory |
| Evidence of Parent/Self/Guardians Income |
For single applicants - compulsory to declare and all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
Mandatory |
| For married applicants –compulsory to declare all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
| If your family members are working, you must attach their recent salary slip. |
| If your family members are running own business, most recent FRCS Tax assessment notice should be attached. |
| If your family members are deceased, attach death certificate. |
| If your parents are divorced, attach divorce certificate. |
| If you are looked after by a single parent, attach Statutory declaration prepared and signed by the single parent along with other family income details. |
| Passport Size Photo |
Up to 5 MB. |
Mandatory |
11. What is the eligibility criteria to apply for TELS for Existing Students?
All applicants for this scheme must satisfy all of the following application eligibility criteria:
- Must be a Fijian Citizen;
- Must be an ordinarily resident in Fiji for at least three years before the loan commencement date;
- Must have enrolled for any TELS eligible higher education program in years prior to 2014 and wishes to apply for financial assistance to complete their program of study;
- Combined family income to be less than $100,000;
- Applicants must show satisfactory progress (GPA above 2.0) in the previous year (s); and
- Must have the program offer letter or full academic transcript and program audit certificate from the institution clearly outlining the number of courses required to complete the program, number of courses successfully completed and number of courses remaining.
12. What are the documents that I need to submit with my TELS for Existing Students application?
The list of documents required for TELS for Existing Students Applications are as follows:
| Required Document |
Description |
Document Type |
| Birth Certificate |
Either scanned copy of original or scanned copy of certified true of copy |
Mandatory |
| TIN Letter/Joint Card |
Scanned |
Mandatory |
| Bank Statement |
Bank account should be under your name. Scanned |
Mandatory if applying for allowances and preference is for receipt of allowances in Bank Account |
| Medical Report |
To be scanned and attached only if ticked Yes for Medical History |
Non-Mandatory |
| Vaccination Detail if above age of 18 |
Scanned copy of your Vaccination card |
Mandatory |
| Existing Highest Qualification Certificate/Transcript |
Scanned copy of existing highest qualification results and transcripts. |
Mandatory |
| Higher Education Institution Offer letter |
Scanned copy. Do not attach any provisional offer letter. This can be uploaded after the application closing date
In case you have already done courses for the program for which you are seeking funding, enrolment/registration evidence can be attached. You need to submit full results as well |
Mandatory |
| Evidence of Parent/Self/Guardians Income |
For single applicants - compulsory to declare and all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
Mandatory |
| For married applicants –compulsory to declare all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
| If your family members are working, you must attach their recent salary slip. |
| If your family members are running own business, most recent FRCS Tax assessment notice should be attached. |
| If your family members are deceased, attach death certificate. |
| If your parents are divorced, attach divorce certificate. |
| If you are looked after by a single parent, attach Statutory declaration prepared and signed by the single parent along with other family income details. |
| Passport Size Photo |
Up to 5 MB. |
Mandatory |
| Completion Letter/Graduation Certificate |
For existing TSLS funded students who have completed a level of studies and wish to apply for TELS to upgrade their qualification in the same area as the existing qualification. |
Mandatory |
| Bond Clearance letter |
For those students whose existing qualification was attained under any Fijian Government Scholarship Scheme (MEA, FAB, PSC etc.) |
Mandatory |
13. What is the eligibility criteria for TELS for Private Sector Employees?
All applicants for this scheme must satisfy all of the following application eligibility criteria:
- Must be a Fijian Citizen;
- Must be an ordinarily resident in Fiji for at least three years before the loan commencement date;
- Applicant must be in employment at the time of application and remain in employment during the course of studies (Leave with/Without Pay letter from the employer is acceptable),
- Applicant must not be earning a gross income of more than $25,000 per annum;
- Combined family income to be less than $100,000;
- Must be seeking to attain an academic qualification (first higher education qualification) or upgrade an existing qualification (in the same area of studies and only if the earlier qualification was not funded under TELS or any other Fijian Government Schemes) up to the maximum of first Bachelor’s degree at an eligible institution either as a part-time or full-time student.
- Applicant must submit to TSLS current and past employment contacts (3 most recent), recent pays slip and FNPF statement showing the last three contributions by the current/former employer(s).
- Applicants who resign from work post the approval of the scheme risk losing the financial support under TELS.
14. What are the documents that I need to submit with my TELS for Private Sector Employees application?
The list of documents required for TELS for Private Sector Employees Applications are as follows:
| Required Document |
Description |
Document Type |
| Birth Certificate |
Either scanned copy of original or scanned copy of certified true of copy |
Mandatory |
| TIN Letter/Joint Card |
Scanned |
Mandatory |
| Bank Statement |
Bank account should be under your name. Scanned |
Mandatory if applying for allowances and preference is for receipt of allowances in Bank Account |
| Medical Report |
To be scanned and attached only if ticked Yes for Medical History |
Non-Mandatory |
| Vaccination Detail if above age of 18 |
Scanned copy of your Vaccination card |
Mandatory |
| Existing Highest Qualification Certificate/Transcript |
Scanned copy of existing highest qualification results and transcripts. |
Mandatory |
| Higher Education Institution Offer letter |
Scanned copy. Do not attach any provisional offer letter. This can be uploaded after the application closing date
In case you have already done courses for the program for which you are seeking funding, enrolment/registration evidence can be attached. You need to submit full results as well |
Mandatory |
| Evidence of Parent/Self/Guardians Income |
For single applicants - compulsory to declare and all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
Mandatory |
| For married applicants –compulsory to declare all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
| If your family members are working, you must attach their recent salary slip. |
| If your family members are running own business, most recent FRCS Tax assessment notice should be attached. |
| If your family members are deceased, attach death certificate. |
| If your parents are divorced, attach divorce certificate. |
| If you are looked after by a single parent, attach Statutory declaration prepared and signed by the single parent along with other family income details. |
| Passport Size Photo |
Up to 5 MB. |
Mandatory |
| Employment Contract/Letter |
Upload three most recent |
Mandatory |
| Pay slip |
Scan and upload at least 3 most recent pay slips. |
Mandatory |
| FNPF Account statement |
Scan and upload the FNPF account Statement (Not Statement of Account). FNPF statement MUST clearly shows that last contribution made by the current employer. |
Mandatory |
| Leave Letter |
Scan and Upload with pay slip if your employer has granted Leave with or Without Pay if you are applying for a full-time student. The letter should clearly state the terms and conditions of leave of employment |
Mandatory |
15. What is the eligibility criteria for TELS for Public Sector Employees?
All applicants for this scheme must satisfy all of the following application eligibility criteria;
- Must be a Fijian Citizen;
- Must be an ordinarily resident in Fiji for at least three years before the loan commencement date;
- Applicant must be in employment at the time of application and remain in employment during the course of studies (Leave with/Without Pay letter from the employer is acceptable),
- Combined family income to be less than $100,000;
- Must be seeking to attain an academic qualification (first higher education qualification) or upgrade an existing qualification (in the same area of studies and only if the earlier qualification was not funded under TELS or any other Fijian Government Schemes) up to the maximum of first Bachelor’s degree at an eligible institution either as a part-time or full-time student.
- Applicant must submit to TSLS current and past employment contacts (3 most recent), recent pay slips and FNPF statement showing the last three contributions by the current/former employer(s).
- Applicants who resign from work post the approval of the scheme risk losing the financial support under TELS.
16. What are the documents that I need to submit with my TELS for Public Sector Employees application?
The list of documents required for TELS for Public Sector Employees Applications are as follows:
| Required Document |
Description |
Document Type |
| Birth Certificate |
Either scanned copy of original or scanned copy of certified true of copy |
Mandatory |
| TIN Letter/Joint Card |
Scanned |
Mandatory |
| Bank Statement |
Bank account should be under your name. Scanned |
Mandatory if applying for allowances and preference is for receipt of allowances in Bank Account |
| Medical Report |
To be scanned and attached only if ticked Yes for Medical History |
Non-Mandatory |
| Vaccination Detail if above age of 18 |
Scanned copy of your Vaccination card |
Mandatory |
| Existing Highest Qualification Certificate/Transcript |
Scanned copy of existing highest qualification results and transcripts. |
Mandatory |
| Higher Education Institution Offer letter |
Scanned copy. Do not attach any provisional offer letter. This can be uploaded after the application closing date
In case you have already done courses for the program for which you are seeking funding, enrolment/registration evidence can be attached. You need to submit full results as well |
Mandatory |
| Evidence of Parent/Self/Guardians Income |
For single applicants - compulsory to declare and all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
Mandatory |
| For married applicants –compulsory to declare all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
| If your family members are working, you must attach their recent salary slip. |
| If your family members are running own business, most recent FRCS Tax assessment notice should be attached. |
| If your family members are deceased, attach death certificate. |
| If your parents are divorced, attach divorce certificate. |
| If you are looked after by a single parent, attach Statutory declaration prepared and signed by the single parent along with other family income details. |
| Passport Size Photo |
Up to 5 MB. |
Mandatory |
| Employment Contract/Letter |
Upload three most recent |
Mandatory |
| Pay slip |
Scan and upload at least 3 most recent pay slips. |
Mandatory |
| FNPF Account statement |
Scan and upload the FNPF account Statement (Not Statement of Account). FNPF statement MUST clearly shows that last contribution made by the current employer. |
Mandatory |
| Leave /Study approval Letter |
Scan and Upload with pay slip if your employer has granted Leave with or Without Pay if you are applying for a full-time student. The letter should clearly state the terms and conditions of leave of employment or approval for studies. |
Mandatory |
17. What is the eligibility criteria to apply for TELS for Pilot Training Students? (Suspended from 2021 till further notice!!!)
All applicants for this scheme must satisfy all of the following application eligibility criteria;
- Must be a Fijian Citizen;
- Must be an ordinarily resident in Fiji for at least three years before the loan commencement date;
- Must be enrolled in either in Year 13/Full Foundation studies or such Equivalent Studies as determined by the Board at the time of applying. That is in the year before the award year;
- Combined family income to be less than $100,000;
- Must not be an Existing Pilot Training student.
- Must have an offer letter either from either Pacific Flying School or Advanced Aviation Training Ltd.
18. What are the documents that I need to submit with my TELS for Pilot Training Students application? (Suspended from 2021 till further notice!!!)
The list of documents required for TELS for Pilot Training Applications are as follows:
| Required Document |
Description |
Document Type |
| Birth Certificate |
Either scanned copy of original or scanned copy of certified true of copy |
Mandatory |
| TIN Letter/Joint Card |
Scanned |
Mandatory |
| Bank Statement |
Bank account should be under your name. Scanned |
Mandatory if applying for allowances and preference is for receipt of allowances in Bank Account |
| Medical Report |
To be scanned and attached only if ticked Yes for Medical History |
Non-Mandatory |
| Vaccination Detail if above age of 18 |
Scanned copy of your Vaccination card |
Mandatory |
| Year 12 Result |
Scanned copy of the original |
Mandatory |
| Year 13/Foundation studies/Equivalent of Year 13 Result |
Scanned copy of provisional result for Year 13 and Official results for others. This can be uploaded after the application closing date |
Mandatory |
| Higher Education Institution Offer letter |
Scanned copy. Do not attach any provisional offer letter. This can be uploaded after the application closing date
In case you have already done courses for the program for which you are seeking funding, enrolment/registration evidence can be attached. You need to submit full results as well |
Mandatory |
| Evidence of Parent/Self/Guardians Income |
For single applicants - compulsory to declare and all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
Mandatory |
| For married applicants –compulsory to declare all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
| If your family members are working, you must attach their recent salary slip. |
| If your family members are running own business, most recent FRCS Tax assessment notice should be attached. |
| If your family members are deceased, attach death certificate. |
| If your parents are divorced, attach divorce certificate. |
| If you are looked after by a single parent, attach Statutory declaration prepared and signed by the single parent along with other family income details. |
| Passport Size Photo |
Up to 5 MB. |
Mandatory |
19. What is the eligibility criteria to apply for TELS for TVET students at the Fiji National University.
All applicants for this scheme must satisfy all of the following application eligibility criteria;
- Must be a Fijian Citizen;
- Must be an ordinarily resident in Fiji for at least three years before the loan commencement date;
- Must have successfully completed Fiji Year 12 (Fiji School Leaving Certificate Examination) locally and scored a minimum of 200/400 or completed Level 1 and II from TCF.
- Combined family income to be less than $100,000; and
- Must have an offer letter from Fiji National University for certificate Level III, Certificate Level IV and Diploma Level 5 programmes offered by TVET Pasifika.
20. What are the documents that I need to submit with my TELS for TVET students at the Fiji National University.
The list of documents required for TELS for TVET Students application for eligible FNU programs offered under TVET Pasifika are as follows:
| Required Document |
Description |
Document Type |
| Birth Certificate |
Either scanned copy of original or scanned copy of certified true of copy |
Mandatory |
| TIN Letter/Joint Card |
Scanned |
Mandatory |
| Bank Statement |
Bank account should be under your name. Scanned |
Mandatory if applying for allowances and preference is for receipt of allowances in Bank Account |
| Medical Report |
To be scanned and attached only if ticked Yes for Medical History |
Non-Mandatory |
| Vaccination Detail if above age of 18 |
Scanned copy of your Vaccination card |
Mandatory |
| Year 12 Result |
Scanned copy of the original |
Mandatory |
| Year 13/Foundation studies/Equivalent of Year 13 Result (if Applicable) |
Scanned copy of provisional result for Year 13 and Official results for others. This can be uploaded after the application closing date |
Mandatory |
| Higher Education Institution Offer letter |
Scanned copy. Do not attach any provisional offer letter. This can be uploaded after the application closing date
In case you have already done courses for the program for which you are seeking funding, enrolment/registration evidence can be attached. You need to submit full results as well |
Mandatory |
| Evidence of Parent/Self/Guardians Income |
For single applicants - compulsory to declare and all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
Mandatory |
| For married applicants –compulsory to declare all family income details. If you are employed, you will also need to declare your income. |
| If your family members are working, you must attach their recent salary slip. |
| If your family members are running own business, most recent FRCS Tax assessment notice should be attached. |
| If your family members are deceased, attach death certificate. |
| If your parents are divorced, attach divorce certificate. |
| If you are looked after by a single parent, attach Statutory declaration prepared and signed by the single parent along with other family income details. |
| Passport Size Photo |
Up to 5 MB. |
Mandatory |