“Those who have applied for Public Service Commission scholarships need to understand the scholarship selection criteria and accept decisions that will be made when new awards have been finalized. The number of new awards will also depend on the number of continuing students that will need to be catered for in the 2013 academic year.”
Commission permanent secretary, Parmesh Chand highlighted this as the PSC Scholarship Unit makes final preparations for the selection of new scholarship recipients.
Mr Chand said that parents and guardians of those who applied for local and overseas scholarships must realize that the selection of new PSC scholarship recipients would be based on merit.
“We have received 5274 applications for the PSC local scholarships and will be providing 500 new scholarships in addition to the 1132 continuing students who have to complete their programs in the various local tertiary institutions,” the permanent secretary said.
“The best and brightest applicants, who have submitted applications for the PSC local scholarships, will be identified according to the priority areas of training that were advertised.
“The most meritorious candidates will be rewarded for their academic achievements. These candidates will include those who have just recently completed their Seventh Form Examination in 2012 as well as tertiary students who have been doing their studies privately and have produced exceptional results up until December last year.”
The PSC also administers the Multi Ethnic Affairs (MEA) Scholarships. This scholarship is only for the non- Itaukei’ communities whose annual parental income does not exceed $15,000.
“With the MEA scholarships, the selection is based on income and merit as well as the priority areas of training as specified in the advertisement that was publicized last year. Accurate financial details need to be provided as the verification of income is an essential part of the selection. Those applicants who provide incomplete details will not be considered for selection,” Mr Chand said.
The MEA unit has received 4387 applications of which 900 students will be newly sponsored for 2013. This will be in addition to the 1666 continuing MEA-sponsored students.
Of the 222 applications received for the PSC overseas scholarships, 20 new awards will be given out. There are 39 continuing students who are doing their studies abroad.
The PSC Student Loan Scheme (SLS) has 305 students and it is anticipated that another 100 will be identified as new loan recipients for this year.
“Funds have been allocated to accommodate the 3142 continuing students and 1520 new students under the local, MEA, overseas scholarships and loan scheme. We will ensure that funds are fully utilized in this exercise and the due process is meticulously followed,” Mr Chand said.
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