An estimated $235.4 million in Government scholarship funding has been spent on students who did not complete their studies since 2014, according to the Tertiary Scholarships and Loans Service (TSLS).
The figure forms part of a historical review of Government-funded scholarships, which revealed that 33,070 students had been recorded as terminated, absconded or not having completed their programmes.
However, TSLS has clarified that the $235.4 million should not be treated entirely as lost or misappropriated public funds.
“The estimated FJ$235.4 million associated with non-completion was calculated using study costs for the students concerned for the duration of their study,” TSLS said in a statement.
“This figure estimates the historical investment associated with students who did not complete their studies. It should not be assumed that the entire amount was misappropriated or is irrecoverable.”
TSLS said students who did not complete their programmes were still required to serve the country under their scholarship bond obligations, based on their years of study.
“Therefore, this amount will still be recovered through bond service.”
The clarification follows public commentary on historical scholarship completion rates and figures presented by the Minister for Finance during the launch of the TSLS Strategic Plan 2026–2031 on October 29.
According to consolidated records as of July 31, 2026, the Government has invested $1.418 billion in scholarships since 2014, supporting 90,131 students.
Of these, 33,546 had graduated, 839 had completed their studies and were awaiting graduation, while 22,676 remained active.
The remaining 33,070 were recorded under the non-completion category.
TSLS said approximately $843.1 million of the total investment had been paid directly to tertiary institutions for tuition fees, while $574.9 million had been disbursed through student allowances.
It stressed that the non-completion category included students who voluntarily terminated their awards, discontinued their studies or absconded, and did not necessarily indicate academic failure.
“TSLS does not terminate students arbitrarily; rather, non-completion and non-performance often result from students’ own decisions to discontinue or withdraw from their programmes.”
The organisation said the historical data was compiled following a comprehensive consolidation of scholarship records that began in January this year.
The information was formally submitted to Cabinet by the Ministry of Education in September.
TSLS said it was not disputing the figures but wanted to explain their context and limitations.
It said the review was intended to identify historical weaknesses, strengthen accountability and introduce reforms aimed at reducing future non-completion and improving student outcomes.
TSLS also acknowledged the public’s right to question how taxpayers’ money was being spent, saying concerns over scholarship outcomes were legitimate and deserved a factual response.
