Should you return to school and risk going broke? This is no longer a valid excuse for not getting your resume up to par. "Citizens of Trinidad and Tobago pursuing tertiary education can access GATE for programmes of study that lead to a recognised tertiary level qualification. "GATE is available to all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago pursuing approved programmes, including Distance Learning programmes at local and regional public Tertiary-level Institutions (TLIs) as well as approved local private local TLIs," stated the Ministry of Education. However, GATE funding is not accessible for more than one approved programme simultaneously and students are not eligible for GATE funding if they fail to complete the approved programme within its stated duration.
Under the GATE programme, tuition is free for students pursuing the undergraduate programmes while the postgraduate programs' costs are covered up to 50%. "Several scholarships and bursaries for undergraduate study are available for Trinidad & Tobago nationals as well as nationals of other English-speaking Caribbean countries. Many of which are from private and public instiution based in Trinidad & Tobago and abroad. They are advertised in the local newspapers between March and May of each year. "Awards are made primarily on academic merit but there are some bursaries where financial need is the main criterion for the award. These potential sources of income help to supplement your own resources," the University states on its website.
"Several scholarships and bursaries for undergraduate study are available for Trinidad & Tobago nationals as well as nationals of other English-speaking Caribbean countries. The University of the West Indies has introduced a new credit based fee structure for undergraduate programmes which will offer students the advantage and flexibility of being able to pay in accordance with the number of credits chosen," the University explains. "If you can provide a satisfactory guarantor, commercial bank loans are also available to help meet the cost of your university education. Second and Final year students with a good academic record may have access to a Hardship Loan from the University.
"Bursaries may not be held jointly with any other award where together the value is more than 25% of maintenance cost plus tuition fees. Academic Bursaries are awarded on the basis of the applicant's academic record with special reference to his/her performance in the 2009/2010 University examinations," explains the University. You can also apply for the scholarships being offered by government as part of the Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan. "The scholarships offered under this Plan are intended for men and women of high intellectual promise, who may be expected to make a significant contribution to their own countries on their return from study abroad," notes the University.
These scholarships and bursaries are advertised on all Notice Boards normally between March and May each year and are also published in the daily newspapers. Some of the donors of these scholarships are Yara Limited, Atlantic LNG Limited, Trinidad Cement Limited and even Carillion Limited. So now that there are all these funding options on the table, there's no room for excuses anymore. It's time to get your documents in order, check out a tertiary institution and get enrolled.