TELS students face hurdles paying rent without tenancy agreement

Students under the Tertiary Education Loan Scheme (TELS) claim it is difficult for them to pay rent if a tenancy agreement is not provided to the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board.

Two TELS students attending the Fiji National University (FNU) and residing in a two-bedroom flat in Samabula, said they have not received allowances which made it difficult to pay rent. TELS is a scheme intended to provide finance to Fijians who qualify for higher education at any approved institutions, but are unable to support themselves financially.

The scheme provides student loans to eligible Fijians to enable them to receive higher education in line with Government’s vision of “Building a Smarter Fiji”.

“We were told at the Tertiary Scholarship and Loans Board (TSLB) office that without the rental agreement, we cannot be qualified to get rent allowance,” said a student who did not wish to be named.

The TSLB under its accommodation scheme states the rent allowance is $250/month maximum, upon production of a Fiji Revenue and Customs Service stamped rental agreement.

The rent agreement must include landlords and tenants’ TIN and contact details.

“The landlord does not understand how important the rental allowance is for us. Maybe that is why he does not even bother to issue any rental agreement.

“The rental allowance for loan scheme students is just $250, but we pay $850 per month.”

One of the students said he received $2400 for two semesters, including the rent allowance.

“I am only capable of paying rent for five months. By the end of the year, I am only left with $275,” the student said.