How To Apply For TETFund Scholarship 2024
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) was created to impose, manage, and distribute taxes to public tertiary institutions in Nigeria.
One of the significant programs under TETFUND is the TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS), aimed at supporting university lecturers in pursuing their master’s or doctorate degrees, either in Nigeria or abroad.
Overview of TETFund Scholarship
The TSAS program, established in 2008, provides full funding for tuition and living expenses to Nigerian university lecturers. This financial aid enables lecturers to concentrate on their academic work without worrying about money issues.
Beneficiaries are nominated by their respective institutions, which recommend scholars for sponsorship to pursue a master’s degree (MA, MEd, MSc) or a doctorate (PhD) at approved universities either in Nigeria or internationally.
Scholars pursuing a doctorate in Nigeria may also receive sponsorship to conduct research abroad for a period ranging from three to twelve months, especially in science fields.
The allocation for sponsorship is divided into 60% for science and technology courses and 40% for arts and social sciences.
Application Deadlines
- For scholars commencing studies in September: Applications must be submitted by May 31st.
- For those starting in January: Applications should be submitted by October 31st.
Guidelines for TETFund Scholarship
Eligibility and Requirements:
- Scholars cannot study at the university where they are employed.
- Applicants seeking to study abroad must choose universities superior to Nigerian universities, guided by international university rankings.
- Changing the institution or course of study after receiving the scholarship is prohibited.
Application Process:
Beneficiary institutions are responsible for submitting recommendations and nominations for the scholarship, along with the minutes of the selection committee meetings. Scholars must provide the following documents:
- Admission Letter
- Filled TETFund Nomination Form
- Academic Resume
- Schedule of Fees from the University
- Bond Form
- Medical Certificate
- Bank Details
Submission Details:
- Applications must be submitted in hard copy and include an Excel sheet with the details saved on a memory stick.
- Non-compliant applications will not be considered.
- Send digital copies to es@tetfund.gov.ng and ast&ddept@tetfund.gov.ng.
- Once approved, scholars must seek TETFUND’s approval before starting their programs.
- Costs incurred without prior approval will not be covered.
Benefits of the TETFund Scholarship
The scholarship provides financial support as follows:
- PhD Programs: N1,500,000.00 annually for science-related fields; N1,200,000.00 annually for other fields.
- Master’s Programs: N1,500,000.00 for science-related fields; N1,200,000.00 for other fields.
Funds are allocated in the following manner:
- 30% for postdoctoral fellowships
- 30% for foreign scholarships
- 30% for scholars at Nigerian universities
- 10% for bench work
Sponsorship for Master’s Programs
For master’s programs, institutions submit recommendations alongside the necessary documents. Once approved, the tuition fees are paid directly to the institution, which then disburses the funds appropriately. The duration of master’s programs varies:
- In Nigeria: Not exceeding two years
- In Europe: One year
- In Malaysia, India, Taiwan, Thailand, North America, and the UAE: Up to two years
Sponsorship for PhD Programs
For PhD programs, the sponsoring institution must submit nominees’ names, adhering to TETFUND’s guidelines.
Upon approval, PhD scholars receive annual payments for tuition and living expenses, contingent upon satisfactory progress reports. PhD sponsorships are now limited to four years.
Dissertation copies (both soft and hard) of successful scholars are submitted to TETFUND, which may consider them for publication.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the TETFund scholarship under TSAS:
- You must be a full-time academic staff member at a Nigerian university.
- You must be nominated by your institution.
- You must have secured admission for a full-time master’s or doctoral program.
- You cannot apply for a second master’s or doctorate degree.
- If you previously received a TETFund scholarship for your master’s degree, you must complete the bond period before applying for a doctorate scholarship.
- You must not have received another scholarship.
- You must submit a medical fitness certificate from a public hospital.
Applying for the TETFund Scholarship
Application procedures involve institutions recommending scholars, followed by the submission of necessary documents to the selection committee.
Payments are processed twice a year: in May for September commencements and in October for January commencements.
Required Documents for Application
- Admission Letter
- Filled TETFund Nomination Form
- Academic Resume
- Schedule of Fees from the University
- Bond Form
- Medical Certificate
- Bank Details
Institutions must also set up a domiciliary account to manage funds for foreign-based scholars and provide evidence of compliance to TETFUND.
Payment and Fund Management
TETFUND pays for master’s and doctoral programs as follows:
- Master’s Programs: N1,500,000.00 annually for science-related fields; N1,200,000.00 annually for other fields.
- PhD Programs: N1,500,000.00 for science-related fields; N1,200,000.00 for other fields.
Tuition fees are paid directly to the institution, and living expenses are managed through the beneficiary institution’s domiciliary account. Scholars receive annual payments based on satisfactory progress reports.
Progress Reporting
Beneficiary institutions must submit annual progress reports for each scholar, following an approved template.
These reports determine the continuation of fund disbursements, particularly if a scholar is underperforming academically.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who Is Eligible for the TETFund Scholarship?
Eligibility criteria include:
- Being a full-time academic staff member at a Nigerian university.
- Being nominated by your institution.
- Securing admission for a full-time master’s or doctoral program.
- You are not applying for a second master’s or doctorate degree.
- Completing the bond period if previously sponsored for a master’s degree.
- Not receiving another scholarship.
- Provide a medical fitness certificate from a public hospital.
How Do I Apply for the TETFund Grant?
Applications are made through institutions, which nominate and recommend scholars to the selection committee. Required documents include:
- Admission Letter
- Filled TETFund Nomination Form
- Academic Resume
- Schedule of Fees from the University
- Bond Form
- Medical Certificate
- Bank Details
Institutions must establish a domiciliary account to facilitate fund administration for foreign-based scholars and provide compliance evidence to TETFUND.
How Much Does TETFund Pay in Nigeria?
For master’s programs, TETFUND provides N1,500,000.00 for science-related fields and N1,200,000.00 for other areas of study.
For PhD programs, science-based disciplines receive N1,500,000.00 per annum, while other disciplines get N1,200,000.00 per annum.
Conclusion
Every year, the TETFUND Scholarship program supports Nigerian university lecturers in pursuing their master’s or doctorate degrees. This financial assistance is crucial, as many lecturers struggle to fund their advanced studies through their salaries alone. TETFUND’s intervention enables lecturers to complete their programs and advance their academic careers.