PNG Higher Education Scholarships: What Are TESAS, AES, HECAS and HELP?

The Papua New Guinea government offers scholarships to help talented students pursue higher education. The TESAS and HELP programs provide financial assistance to deserving individuals, regardless of their academic background or financial situation. These scholarships offer a gateway to academic success and career opportunities for PNG students.

PNG Higher Education Scholarships Two Key Components

The three key components of the Tertiary Education Student Assistance Scheme (TESAS) are the:

• Academic Excellence Scholarships (AES) and 
• Higher Education Contribution Assistance Scheme (HECAS).

These scholarships, collectively known as the TESAS, aim to support academically brilliant students and facilitate their academic development. 

Find out how to calculate GPA here.

AES: Recognising Academic Excellence (1)

The AES is awarded to students with exceptional academic performance throughout their studies, typically with a high GPA. These scholarships provide a full tuition waiver, accommodation allowance, and a modest living allowance. 

By recognising and rewarding academic excellence, AES empowers students to pursue their passions and contribute positively to PNG's future.

HECAS: Addressing Financial Burdens (2)

The HECAS, on the other hand, is designed to assist students who may face financial constraints while pursuing higher education. These scholarships cover a portion of tuition fees, reducing the financial burden on students and their families. 

HECAS ensures that financial limitations do not hinder students from pursuing their academic aspirations.

Here is a guide for Self-sponsored students to secure TESAS, click here to get more information.

Gender Equity Scholarships (3)

The Gender Equity Scholarship was created to promote gender balance in higher education. It encourages women who have completed high school to pursue bachelor's degrees in fields where they are currently underrepresented. 

This merit-based scholarship is only open to women who have been accepted into an approved bachelor's degree program. The scholarship is only for the first year of bachelor's degree studies, but successful recipients will be considered for AES or HECAS scholarships in subsequent years. 

Only 50 scholarships are awarded each year, and the eligible fields and programs are announced in October.

Benefits of TESAS Scholarships

The TESAS scholarships offer a multitude of benefits to PNG students:

1. Financial Support: Scholarship recipients receive financial assistance, easing the financial burden and allowing them to focus on their studies.

2. Scholarly Excellence: AES recipients are recognised for their academic achievements, fostering a culture of excellence and motivation among students.

3. Access to Higher Education: Both AES and HECAS provide opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to access higher education, regardless of their financial circumstances.

4. Career Advancement: By providing a strong educational foundation, TESAS scholarships empower students to pursue careers that contribute to PNG's socioeconomic development.

Guiding Principles for TESAS Scholarships

The PNG Higher Education Ministry through DHERST upholds several guiding principles when administering TESAS scholarships:

1. Merit-Based Evaluation: Scholarships are awarded based on academic merit, ensuring that deserving students receive recognition and support.

2. Transparency and Accountability: The scholarship process is transparent and accountable, ensuring fairness and adherence to established guidelines.

3. Continuous Improvement: The TESAS program is constantly evaluated and refined to ensure its effectiveness in supporting students and fostering educational excellence.

The Role of HELP Studentship Program

In addition to TESAS, the PNG government introduced the HELP Student Loan Program (Higher Education Student Loan Program) to further support students pursuing higher education. 

This loan program provides financial assistance to students who do not qualify for TESAS scholarships. The HELP program aims to bridge the financial gap and ensure qualified students are allowed the opportunity to pursue higher education.

The HELP student loan program is:

• a new student loan program that offers interest-free loans to students who are enrolled in a higher education institution in Papua New Guinea.
• designed to be more affordable and manageable than standard loans, and it offers a repayment grace period after graduation.
• a great way for students to start building their credit history.
• a valuable resource for students who need financial assistance to attend college or university.

Students do not need to repay their HELP loans until they graduate, and they will have six months to find a job before payments begin. 

To find out about How to Apply for the HELP Student Loan Program, click here

Conclusion

TESAS, AES, HECAS, and HELP are the PNG government's initiatives to empower PNG's youth to pursue their academic aspirations and contribute to the nation's development. 

These programs play an important role in fostering a well-educated and skilled workforce, laying the foundation for PNG's continued progress and prosperity.

This is an UPDATE of the article that first appeared here.

Be Informed: Know about PNG Grade 11 Selection Online

In Papua New Guinea, the Grade 11 Selection process opens doors to exciting academic opportunities, leading students to pursue upper secondary and STEM education. This simplified guide provides aspiring students with a clear understanding of the following:

• selection criteria, 
• procedures, and 
• factors that influence their chances of gaining admission to upper secondary schools. 

This article is based on Education Secretary Circular No. 13/2020.

BE INFORMED: GRADE 11 SELECTION

Conducting the Grade 11 Selection Online

The Grade 11 Selection process in Papua New Guinea is conducted online. The Department of Education provides an online system for principals to enter and verify student data in the provinces. 

The committee then uses the online system to select students based on the National Standard Requirements - the Selection Benchmark. This ensures that the process is fair, transparent, and efficient.

Data entry and verification for the Grade 11 Selection process take place in the provincial capitals. Principals collaborate on entering and verifying student information from School Leaver Forms (SLFs), ensuring data consistency across provinces. Simultaneously, the principals:

• Address transfer requests.
• Ensure eligible students receive official offer letters.
• Gather final reports and publication lists.
• Appoint a chairperson to manage logistics.
• Request electronic copies of SLFs for all Grade 10 students.

This centralised approach enhances data management and reduces errors, promoting a fair and efficient selection process.

Grade 11 Selection National Benchmark

To be eligible for Grade 11 selection, students must meet the established National Standard Requirements, which evaluate their academic performance in various subjects. These requirements include:

• Acing at least 7 Upper Passes in essential subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Personal Development, Agriculture, and Business Studies.
• Achieving proficiency in other subjects: Art, Design and Technology, Home Economics, Practical Skills, and Computing.
• Securing a percentile score of 77.0 or higher in the Grade 10 examinations. (Here is the full explanation)
• National Schools of Excellence (NSOE) prioritise students with Credits and Distinctions.

Eligibility for Selection to Secondary Schools and NSOE

To identify and nurture academically promising students, the Grade 11 Selection process employs the standardised benchmark outlined above. 

The Grade 11 selection committee scrutinises student records and selects candidates based on their academic achievements and adherence to the Grade 11 Selection National Benchmark. 

National Schools of Excellence prioritise students with Credits and Distinctions, creating a diverse and intellectually stimulating learning environment. Only officially recognised Secondary Schools are authorised to admit Grade 11 students.

Grade 11 Essentials for Fair Selection

After verifying the data, the committee carefully analyses the information and selects students from the eligible lists. The selection process adheres to the National Standard Requirements and considers various factors, including:

• Completed and Approved School Leaver Forms: Only students with finalised School Leaver Forms are eligible for selection.

• School Quotas: Each school has a designated quota for the number of students it can accommodate in Grade 11. Students who exceed the quota will not be selected.

• Exemplary Character References: Students with outstanding character references are given priority during the selection process.

• Parental Transfer Requests: Parents who request a transfer for their child must submit a formal written request.

• Gender Equity: In cases of a tie, gender equity is considered when determining selection.

Confirmation and Approval

The final selection lists undergo a rigorous two-step confirmation process:

1. Chairperson's Confirmation: The Chairperson of the Grade 11 Selection Committee carefully reviews the lists to ensure adherence to the established criteria.
2. Secretary for Education's Approval: Only after the Chairperson's confirmation can the lists be forwarded to GES for the Secretary for Education's final approval.

Upon receiving approval from the Secretary for Education, selected students receive offer letters from their respective schools. They may then enrol in Grade 11 according to the approved lists published on the Education Department website. 

No other selection, amendments, or inclusion should be done to the final selection lists that are done by the provincial selection committees and approved by the Education secretary.

Additional Considerations: Fairness & Efficiency

If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the available slots, the committee may consider non-eligible lists. Additionally, selected students must retain soft copies of their approved School Leaver Forms for verification purposes. 

Principals are also responsible for maintaining copies of the following documents:

• Copy of the final selected list.
• Copies of school leavers forms for selected students.
• Offer letters for all selected students.

Conclusion

The Grade 11 Selection process in Papua New Guinea helps students get into upper secondary schools. The committee selects students based on their grades and standards set by the Department of Education. 

The final selection lists for all the upper secondary schools in the country will be published on the department website. Students who are selected receive offer letters from their schools.