Scholarships and

Advanced Training
Division

Now that I have

a scholarship,
what is the next step?
5th Floor NALIS Building
Corner Hart and Abercromby Streets,
Port of Spain
(868) 625-6724
Ext: 2032, 2070, 2064

S ch o la r ’ s I nf o r m a t i o n G u i d e
ALLOWANCES AND RATES PAID TO SCHOLARS
(Effective September 1, 2008)
ALLOWANCE USA Brazil Mexico Colombia Nigeria Guyana Jamaica India
Currency in Which Allowance is payable US $ US $ US $ US $ US $ US $ US $ US $
Non-Salaried 1165 848 932 815 647 299 300 631
Personal
Maintenance
Allowance
Salaried 943 684 751 657 539 240 285 509
Book Allowance 900 627 545 602 546 550 240 467
short course 604 570 625 548 460 424
Warm
Clothing long course 900 862 948 828 683 642
Allowance
replacement 148 143 154 137 114 106
Incidental Travelling Allowance 132 114 121 110 114 37 13 85
Special Equipment Allowance 196 143 154 137 266 240 143 106
*Paid to persons in temperate zone only
Note 2: Rates are currently under review
ALLOWANCES AND RATES PAID TO SCHOLARS
(Effective September 1, 2008)
Trinidad & United New
ALLOWANCE Barbados Canada Switzerland Australia India France Netherlands
Tobago Kingdom Zealand
Currency in Which Allowance is payable TT $ BDS $ CAN $ UK £ Swiss francs AUS $ NZ $ Rupees Euro € Euro €
Non-Salaried 2,418 1,491 1,072 794/635* 1,847 1,261 958 10,677 937 948
Personal
Maintenance
Allowance Salary pd
Salaried in post 1,172 864 561/450* 1,539 1,051 795 8,884 781 790
Regular 3,846 2,663 937 349 1,319 631 779 8,953 671 679
Book Allowance
Medical 5,495
short course N/A 552 212 1,099 751 568 7576 557 565
Warm
Clothing long course 812 307 1,648 1,124 852 11,211 838 846
Allowance
replacement 141 63 275 189 142 1,879 140 139
Incidental Travelling Allowance 176 115 37 275 189 142 1879 140 139
Special Equipment Allowance 1,967 469 260 74 642 441 332 4,212 317 311

Note 1: Two rates of Personal Maintenance Allowance (PMA) currently apply to Non-Salaried and Salaried Scholars in the United Kingdom.
The existing (higher) rates £794 and £561 respectively apply to those students pursuing studies and residing in London.
Note 2: Rates are currently under review
next steps are…

through the scholarship process.

undergraduate degree programme only.

on your scholarship!

a scholar must be a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago.

Congratulations
You would have already received a letter from the Scholarships

course outline. This excludes Medicine and Law (including the

maximum period of five (5) years of studies. Please note that

Legal Education Certificate or its equivalent), which requires a
In order to be eligible for the award of a National Scholarship,

your programme of study must lead to the award of one (1)

The Scholarship allows you to pursue an undergraduate (first)
This document provides a step by step guide on taking you
and Advanced Training Division informing you of your recent

the acceptance letter from the academic institution and the

achievement. However, we know you’re wondering what the

degree ONLY for duration of three (3) years or as specified in

 Scholarships are for Unit C
full time studies only. Engineering Management Sciences Social Sciences
Applied Sciences Accounting International Studies/
Here’s a little reminder of the documents required for the processing International Relations
of your award: Chemical Engineering Business Administration Political Science
Computer Engineering Communication Studies Psychology
• Letter accepting scholarship Computer Science Economics Social Work
Electrical Engineering Finance Sociology
• Confirmation of Citizenship (as indicated on the bio data
Industrial Engineering Management Studies
page of the original passport)
Information Technology Oil And Gas Management
• Electronic Birth Certificate Mechanical Engineering Sports Management
• Original Academic Certificates Manufacturing /Process Petroleum Engineering
• Letter of Acceptance from the University Telecommunications
• Letter of Accreditation
Unit Head: Dhanraji Ramlakhan ext 2027 ramlakhand@mpa.gov.tt
• The name of your Guarantor and Witness (who must both Charmaine Sookal ext 2026 sookalc@mpa.gov.tt
provide one (1) form of national picture ID, a local address Omega Khan-Smith ext 2068 khan-smitho@mpa.gov.tt
and contact information) Vitra Nanan ext 2021 nananv@mpa.gov.tt
Lisa Parag ext 2021 paragl@mpa.gov.tt
• Contact information : Your Guarantor, Your Witness and
Yourself NB: To ensure that your email is answered, kindly email the head of the Unit
• Completion of Online Application/Recipient Form which is and carbon copy all the other officers
available at www.scholarships.gov.tt (Applicable to CAPE
Scholarships)
• Salary Particulars and Tax Assessment (Public Officers Only)
• Bank Account Information (Scholars Studying at Local
Institutions)

You are kindly asked to provide a copy of all the above mentioned
documents.

Notably, there are four (4) categories of National Scholars therefore the
documents and procedures which will enable each group to proceed
on your award are varied.

The Categories of National Scholars are:

• Scholars pursuing studies in Trinidad and Tobago
• Scholars pursuing studies abroad
• Scholars who are Public Officers
• Citizens from other countries who are awarded scholarships
by the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
 Unit A The following steps are applicable
Humanities/Education Earth Science Mathematics
to all categories of scholars:
Archaeology, History Agriculture Actuarial Science
Cultural Studies Environmental Sciences Mathematics Step 1
Dance/Drama/ Music Forestry Statistics Acceptance
Fine Arts Geography, Geophysics
Languages Geographical Sciences
You must indicate acceptance of your award in writing to the Ministry
Library and Information Science Geology
of Public Administration, Scholarships and Advanced Training Division
Media, Journalism, Visual Arts Marine Studies
within one (1) month of being informed.
Theatre, Meteorology
Theology Petroleum Geosciences
Subsequent to your acceptance, if your award is not taken up
Teaching/Education Palaeontology
within one (1) year the scholarship will be considered to have
Sedimentology
lapsed.
Unit Head: Wendy Durham ext 2402 durhamw@mpa.gov.tt
Julien Raeburn ext 2094 reaburnj@mpa.gov.tt
Grace Harper ext 2029 harperg@mpa.gov.tt
Leela Arjoon
Claire Greaves
ext 2063
ext 2215
arjoonl@mpa.gov.tt
greavesc@mpa.gov.tt Step 2
Otthalie McMillan ext 2092 mcmillano@mpa.gov.tt Submission of Documents and Completion of
Application Form

Depending on the category you fall within, your application form

will be completed either before or after an offer of a scholarship was
made.
Unit B You are required to visit the Scholarships and Advanced Training
Medical Sciences Physical Sciences Natural Sciences Law Division to submit all the required documents as indicated above. The
Allied Health Architecture Biology Environmental Law Scholarships and Advanced Training Division will verify that all the
Dental Technical Studies Botany Oil and Gas Law relevant documents and information have been received.
Forensic Science Technology Studies Chemistry
Physiotherapy Urban and Regional All persons granted scholarships by the Government of Trinidad and
Planning Life Sciences Tobago will be required to sign a scholarship agreement. This is a
Psychiatry Valuation Sciences Physics legally binding document (contract) which details the obligation of
Sports Medicine Zoology the Government, the scholar and his guarantor.
Surgery
Veterinary Sciences **It is important that all required documents are submitted, for
the agreement preparation process to begin.
Unit Head: Maureen Ramjohn-Bickraj ext 2024 ramjohn-bickrajm@mpa.gov.tt
Evelyn Alfred ext 2028 alfreda@mpa.gov.tt
Sherine Kalloo ext 2031 kalloos@mpa.gov.tt
Dawn Singh ext 2066 singhd@mpa.gov.tt
Francine Lohar ext 2031 loharf@mpa.gov.tt
Anselm Emmanuel ext 2305 emmanuela@mpa.gov.tt
 Step 3
Verifying Agreement Information
Once all the required information listed above is provided, a draft of
the agreement will be prepared and forwarded to you via e-mail so
that you and your Guarantor can peruse the agreement. Both parties
are required to READ and review the draft contract to ensure accuracy
of information and that all parties are aware and understand the Terms
and Conditions of the Agreement.
Once you have reviewed the draft contract, kindly contact your Scholar
Support Officer to arrange an appointment to visit the Scholarships
and Advanced Training Division for signing your Contract Agreement.
5. President Medal Recipients
Step 4
Signing the Agreement
You must visit the Division on the date and time of your appointment
with both your Guarantor and your Witness. Please remember these
persons must provide one (1) valid form of national picture ID when
signing the contract. Once your contract is signed the following
document will be provided:-
• Letter to the University informing them that you have
been granted a scholarship and will be funded by the
Government.
Once the contract has been signed it will be forwarded to the
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration for signature.
Once the contract has been signed by the Permanent Secretary, you
will be contacted to visit the Scholarships Division to collect the
contract in person. In the instance that you are unable to collect the
contract in person, a designated individual can collect the contract
on your behalf with written Authorisation from you. The letter must
clearly state the persons name and national identification information.
The person must produce the identification stated in the letter and
sign as having received the contract on your behalf.
** The payment of allowances commence once the agreement is signed. Whether
you are pursuing studies locally or abroad you are required to provide your bank
account details to facilitate the payment of allowances. Local scholars provide
local bank account numbers and scholars studying abroad provide account
numbers provided by the Unit Trust Corporation. Scholars pursuing studies locally
receive allowances monthly whilst, scholars studying abroad receive allowances
quarterly.
4. Important Notice
Recipients of Open National Scholarships can pursue their
studies at any accredited academic institution locally or
abroad. Recipients of Additional National Scholarships who
are not pursuing studies at the University of the West Indies
will be paid tuition fees and allowances, equivalent to that
payable to scholars pursuing studies at the University of
the West Indies. All tuition fees will be paid directly to the
academic institution on behalf of the student, on receipt of
the invoice from the institution.
Please visit our website at www.scholarships.gov.tt for
additional information on scholarships, including the support
services and allowances payable to scholars.
Scholars in receipt of the President Medal Award are
entitled to funding which would allow them to complete an
undergraduate first degree and post graduate degrees up to
the PhD. Funding will be provided for a maximum period of
seven (7) years.
In order to proceed from an undergraduate programme to
the post graduate programmes, President Medal scholars
are required to provide evidence of enrolment into the post
graduate programmes to ensure the continued payment of
scholar allowances and fees to the University which are via
the Trinidad and Tobago Foreign Embassy, Consular Office or
Mission.
SCHOLAR SUPPORT
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please call
623-4724/8578 or 625-6724
or visit
www.scholarships.gov.tt
and the extension next to the name of the Officer
Please email or call one of these officers
if your field of study is in one of these areas
Tell us your area of study!
These officers can help you!
Scholars pursuing studies abroad must note that Allowances are paid
on a quarterly basis as follows:
Scholars who are
Public Officers
• On November 28th for quarter December to February
• On February 28th for quarter March to May Scholars who are Public Officers pursuing studies locally should refer
• On May 28th for quarter June to August to the steps applicable to all categories of scholars mentioned
• On August 28th for quarter September to November above.

Scholars who are Public Officers pursuing studies aboard should refer
Scholars are therefore encouraged to be judicious with how they
to the steps applicable to all categories of scholars mentioned
allocate their money over the quarter.
above.

Agreement Signing
In the instance that the scholar is already abroad the agreement is sent
to the scholar via the relevant Embassy, Consular Office or Mission.
The scholar is able to sign the agreement in the presence of the staff
of the Embassy, Consular Office or Mission or can sign in the presence
of a Notary Public. The Notary Public must affix his official stamp on
the agreement. The agreement must then be sent to the Scholarships
Division via the nearest Embassy, Consular Office or Mission.
Upon receiving the agreement from the Embassy, Consular Office or
Mission the Guarantor and Witness is contacted in order for the signing
process to be completed.
Additional Scholarships Recipients who
opt to pursue studies abroad
Student who have been awarded an Additional Scholarships who
have opted to study overseas are not entitled to airfare, however
they are required to submit a copy of the relevant VISA. The above
mentioned guidelines for Scholarship Recipients pursuing studies
abroad are applicable with the exception of the guidelines for the
purchase of airline tickets.
Scholars who are Public Officers are provided with letters:
• Informing their Ministry that they are the recipient of a
scholarship from the GoRTT and requesting salary particulars
are necessary for the payment of the salary loan
• To the Chairman, Board of Inland Revenue requesting a Tax
Assessment on the scholar
Public Officers are required to:
• Ensure that all arrangements are made with their Ministries so
that they can proceed on no pay study leave on the grounds
of scholarship policy
• Submit salary particulars and tax assessment to ensure that
the salary loan payable to Public Officers on the grounds
of scholarship policy is honoured by the Ministry of Public
Administration, Scholarships and Advanced Training
Division

Additionally, fees equivalent to the cost of similar degree programmes

pursued at the University of the West will be paid on behalf of the
scholar to the relevant Universities abroad via the Trinidad and Tobago
Consulates or Missions.

Tuition fees equivalent to that paid to the University of the West Indies
will be paid to the academic institutions by the Trinidad and Tobago
Foreign Embassy, Consular Office or Mission upon receipt of official
invoices from the academic institution.
Scholars who are Teachers pursuing the Bachelor of Education
Degree at the University of Trinidad and Tobago
Scholars who are Teachers should refer to the steps applicable to all
categories of scholars mentioned above.
Teachers:
• Do not have to fill out an application form
• MUST ensure that all arrangements are made with the
Ministry of Education so that they can proceed on no pay
study leave on the grounds of scholarship policy
• MUST ensure that Salary particulars are submitted to
the Scholarships Division to ensure that the salary loan
payable to Public Officers on the grounds of scholarship
policy is honoured by the Ministry of Public Administration,
Scholarships and Advanced Training Division
General scholarship
guidelines
1. An award not taken up within one (1) year will be considered
to have lapsed.
2. The scholarship is tenable at any accredited academic
institution. The course of study must be accredited.
3. Please note that you will be required to enter into a Scholarship
Agreement, which requires that you serve the Government
of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on completion of
your studies. You are required to provide this Ministry with
the name and address of the person who can guarantee your
undertaking of the Agreement. This information must be
provided on the Form mentioned at 6 (ii) above. This person
must sign a Letter of Guarantee in your favour.
When you visit the office to sign your Scholarship Agreement,
you must bring along your Guarantor and someone who
can witness both you and your Guarantor’s signature to the
Agreement. Please note that they are required to present
some form of national picture identification. Your Guarantor
cannot be be your spouse. In addition your witness cannot
be the spouse of your Guarantor.
Scholars pursuing
studies overseas
After you have signed your contract, you will be provided with:
• A letter to the University;
• A letter to the relevant Embassy; and
• A letter to the Unit Trust Corporation which enables the
scholar to open a TT$ International Visa Debit Card Account.
Tuition fees are paid directly to Universities via the relevant
Embassy, Consular Office or Mission.
Visas
When applying for your Visa please note the following:
• Students studying in the United States will be required to
obtain a J1 Visa
• Students studying in the United Kingdom will be required
to obtain a Tier 4 Visa
• Student Studying in Canada will be required to obtain the
IMM 1294 study Visa
Airline Ticket
Once your Visa has been collected from the relevant Embassy, you are
required to obtain quotations from three (3) Travel Agencies for a ONE
WAY ECONOMY CLASS Airline Tickets. It is advisable that you only
secure the quotations from the Agencies. Flights should not booked
at this stage.
A copy of the Visa and the three quotations which were sourced should
be submitted to your Scholar Support Officer. The Scholar Support
Officer will then issue to you an invoice for the selected Travel Agency
to provide you with the One Way Ticket to your destination.
Unit Trust Corporation Account
The Unit Trust Corporation will provide you with your account number.
This number must then be provided to your Scholar Support Officer
for processing your allowance payments.