No consideration will be given to any applicants for education assistance if the tertiary institute they enroll in, has not been approved by the National Provident Fund.

Chief Executive, Aisake Taito said that the requirements are standard for all institutes and business enterprises in the country, adding that these private institutes know what to do to qualify for approved status.

Taito stresses that people need to realise that, as custodians of members' funds, the review is necessary to safeguard their hard earned savings.

The Fund introduced the strict criteria as there were cases where some institutes enrolled bogus students and or institutions had closed down without students being taken into account and allegedly pocketed the FNPF payout.

The private tertiary schools have to submit their audited financial reports, company annual returns and company tax returns for them to qualify for assistance.

The Institutes have until this Friday to submit their papers and get approved status from FNPF.

So far only, USP, FNU, TPAF and University of Fiji are recognised by FNPF.