The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Social Services (MoEYSS) remains committed and progressive in its efforts to review and strengthen the Turks & Caicos Islands Education Financial Assistance Policy (TCIEFAP). The overarching goals are to ensure that Scholarship offerings, as well as the associated application, review and award processes are objective, transparent, empowers the applicants but moreover continues to close the labour market gaps in the Turks & Caicos Islands through strategic and intentional Human Capital Development strategies.  

As such the MoEYSS is pleased to announce that Cabinet at its meeting convened on March 8^th, 2023 has approved the following amendments to the TCIEFAP:

1. It granted approval for Amendments to the current list of priority study areas in alignment with the TCI Labour Market Needs for the award of scholarships for the academic year 2023-2024
2. It granted approval to award a defined number of awards under specific arears of studies from the approved list of institutions.
3. It granted approval to in advance of academic year 2023-2024 publish an advertisement outlining a specified short-list of programmes within each priority area annually, except in the category of the National Scholars and Athletic Financial Assistance Awards which will be the applicant’s selection.

The Ministry of Education can now make public the 2023/2024 Short List of the pre-approved scholarship awards by priority area and with the number awards to be issued.

We hasten to highlight that the list of priority areas has not shifted tremendously and as such will not adversely affect students who have already applied. The Ministry has intentionally extended the application period to encourage as many applicants as possible.

The Ministry of Education encourages all Turks and Caicos Islanders to further their education and enroll into Tertiary studies. There are many opportunities or pathways that are being developed and expanded to facilitate the success of every Learner! The Turks & Caicos Islands Community College provides tuition free access to eligible persons and we encourage all to explore the awesome opportunities.

The 2023-2024 Application process is officially open and applicants are reminded that in order to permit the Education Advisory Committee to make an informed decision, all the required information as specified in the explanatory notes must accompany each application. For example, in the previous application season the Ministry noticed a large number of applicants did not submit the following required information: -

• Acceptance letters from institutions applied to showing the duration of studies with BOTH commencement and completion dates. In many cases only commencement was given.
• Submission of tuition and accommodation invoices from institutions or proof of those tuition and accommodation invoices fees from school Registrar Office.
• Also, submissions of certified documents for Justice of the Peace/Notary Republic.

Students who may not have been successful in receiving a scholarship this academic year are encouraged to reapply for academic year 2023/24.

Please note the following regarding the application process:

• As outlined above, a set amount of scholarships within each priority programme area will be on offer, subsequent guidance will be released on Wednesday 29^th March, 2023. The scholarship application will also be made available at this time on www.gov.tc/scholarshipsecretariat.
• Applicants can qualify for an award by having received acceptance into institutions only on the Ministry’s recommended list for any programme area within the listed priority areas. This is with the exception for National Scholars and Athletic scholarships, which can be awarded to any accredited institution per the requirements of the current policy.
• Scholarship funds will only be given according to the defined award amounts for each programme area/region, further information will be included with the application.
• Applicants should clearly state the occupation they intend to pursue and the route they are taking in order to be eligible for that occupation.
• The Education Advisory Committee will continue to vet applications; once a decision is known, it will be made available to the individual applying.

N.B. SUBMISSION OF INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS

Please note as of January 2018 applications will ONLY be accepted once ALL of the above requirements are attached to your applications to be presented to the Education Advisory Committee.

Submission of all required information is due by the extended date 31^st May, 2023. The ONLY exception to this rule will be for persons not receiving the necessary information from their institution at the time of submission of their incomplete application by 30^th June, 2023 which are as follows: -

• Acceptance Letter
• Transcripts
• Examination results
• Proof from institution of tuition costing
• Proof of accommodation costing from institution if on campus OR signed lease agreement if off campus
• Proof of duration of studies from institution; commencement AND completion date of studies

Please note applicants’ deadline for presenting ALL of the requirements is June 30^th 2023 and If your application does not meet the full requirements, it will not be presented to the Education Advisory Committee.

The National Apprenticeship Program which started in September 2021, is currently in its sixth month and currently has six apprentices. This program is designed to give individuals who have graduated with either a bachelors or masters’ degree an opportunity to gain nine to twelve (9-12) months’ work experience within their field. 

On February 20^th and 21^st 2023, the Employment Services Department held a Two-Day Soft Skills training with facilitator Melanie Smith, CEO of Talent Recruitment Group. The Soft- Skills training sessions addressed a few of the skills gap highlighted in the National Skills Audit 2017. The apprentices received training on Complex Problem Solving, Coordinating with others, Critical Thinking, Service Orientation, Active Listening and Communication.

During the training, the apprentices were visited by Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services. Hon. Taylor got an opportunity to gain more insight on the apprentices’ experiences thus far.

The Employment Services Department would like to thank the following enterprises for collaborating with us and channeling our youth in the right direction: TCI Sports Commission, The Government Morgue, Mechanical Services Division, InterHealth Canada and the Department of Social Development and Welfare.

Student Registration for the second phase of the TCI National Internship and Apprenticeship Program is OPEN! The TCINIAP is divided into two programs; the internship which runs for a 4-6 weeks and the apprenticeship for 9 to 12 months. 

Register TODAY by clicking the link below!

Intern/Apprentice Registration: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiNLQUcQrS2d8Jt8_sovVYLC2Sj6668jBAUD9pFJ4cIaXjvg/viewform

Enterprise Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/XE6HJ1KBXD

The Employment Services Department understands the majority of our students are entering tertiary education at the age of 16 years. In order to not exclude or deprive our youth of such a wonderful opportunity, the age requirement for the 2^nd TCI National Internship and Apprentice Program has been amended as follows:

• Applicants must be 16 years+

The following requirements remain:

• Must provide a tertiary transcript/degree (college/university)
• Must provide proof of legal status (Islander Status Card or B.O.T.C Passport)
• Must provide Resume & Cover Letter

As a bonus to the program, participants will also engage in a number of personal development workshops and trainings. Areas such as Branding, Self-Actualization, Mindfulness, Productivity, Connecting the Dots and many more will be address in these sessions. 

The Employment Services Department encourages ALL (Turks and Caicos Islanders/BOTC) students and graduates abroad and local to register for the program.

Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeiNLQUcQrS2d8Jt8_sovVYLC2Sj6668jBAUD9pFJ4cIaXjvg/viewform

Cristhofer Lugo received a 3 years Turks and Caicos Islands government scholarship which commenced January 2020 and is currently at Florida International University-USA studying Bachelor’s in Computer Science.

Christhofer was named Student Body President at Florida International University on March 25, 2022. Cristhofer is the university's first international student to hold this position, as well as the first Turks and Caicos Islander. He will be in charge of 58,000 students and a $20 million budget for the benefit of students, organizations, and departments in this post. He will also serve on the Board of Trustees as part of his responsibilities.  Please Click Here for article from FIU on Christhofer Lugo.