All new intakes and those that have been awarded PSC scholarships will not have to repay any money to the government but will have to work for the government for a certain amount of years.

This was confirmed by the Public Service Commission Scholarship Unit who said that effective from 2009 any new intakes irrespective of the tertiary institute chosen, will not repay any money under the cost sharing scheme.

Under the current laws in cost-sharing schemes, government contributes two thirds of the total tuition fees and the student pays the remainder, and is bonded to work for the government for the number of years they were on award, however according to the new manager for the PSC Scholarship Unit Asish Bal Ram, the student will have to give a year and a half service to the government for every year under the scholarship scheme.

Ram added that changes have been implemented and done as part of the review of government scholarships, so that their policies would be similar to the other two scholarships given out by the Multi Ethnic Affairs and the Fijian Affairs Board.

Permanent Secretary Taina Tagicakibau is expected to comment later on the issue.

Last week, Interim Prime Minister Commodore Frank Bainimarama had advised Cabinet to review the three scholarships given out by the government.