Higher Education Scholarship TESAS Announcement 2024: New Intakes and Continiung Students

The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (DHERST) is pleased to officially announce the availability of the Government of Papua New Guinea (GoPNG) Scholarship - Tertiary Education Study Assistance Scheme (TESAS) - for the academic year 2024. 

This declaration extends to all 2024 New Intakes and Continuing Students currently enrolled in recognised Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including all the PNG Universities and Colleges.

To get more information on How to Apply for HELP, click here. You can also get the latest information on PNG govt in-country scholarships here.

Continuing Students Self-Sponsored Students TESAS Status

For continuing students not featured on the published list, kindly consult your respective HEIs to confirm your TESAS status for the 2024 academic year. This precise information is crucial for a seamless start to the first semester of this year.

Students who were self-sponsored in the previous year and have been granted a scholarship for the current year are strongly advised to verify their travel itinerary at the nearest Air Niugini Office.

In cases where your name is not found on the travel plan, promptly contact DHERST and request travel information. Travel arrangements will strictly adhere to the destinations specified by respective HEIs in the preceding year.

In a display of confidence and intending to alleviate the financial burden on parents regarding school fees, the GoPNG, through DHERST, has successfully settled all outstanding 2023 TESAS arrears owed to HEIs.

TESAS Payments for Semester 1, 2024

Disbursements for TESAS payments for Semester 1, 2024, are scheduled to be processed promptly after the completion of registration.

Lists will be diligently compiled and submitted to DHERST, ensuring the timely and efficient distribution of financial support to eligible students.

It is crucial to note that Semester 2, 2024 TESAS payments are contingent upon HEIs providing Semester 2 Registration lists and, importantly, the requisite acquittals for Semester 1, 2024. All students must submit the required documentation to secure their govt scholarship and get continued support in their studies.

This also applies to the PNG Govt HELP program, more information here.

For further information or clarification

In conclusion, students are strongly encouraged to channel their focus on academic pursuits. The GoPNG extends heartfelt congratulations on the dedication and hard work demonstrated. Best wishes for a successful academic year.

Please do not hesitate to contact us at the following telephone numbers: 3012076 or 3012058/3012048/3012070, or via email at info@dherst.gov.pg.

Source: DHERST (PDF, Tertiary Education Study Assistance Scheme, TESAS)

Grade 12 Selection Lists for PNG Tertiary Institutions 2024 DHERST

The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science, and Technology (DHERST) released the National Selection results for the 2024 academic year on the 23 of December 2023. This marks an important milestone in the selection process conducted through the National Online Selection System (NOSS). The placements for successful Grade 12 school leavers seeking admission to tertiary institutions across Papua New Guinea are now out. 

Note that the Grade 12 selection Lists for PNG Tertiary Institutions 2024 do not have the TESAS status of the students. That means that Grade 12 students will have to confirm the scholarship status in their NOAS accounts. More info is given below.

Download the 2024 Selection List for All Universities and Colleges here.

PNG Tertiary Institutions 2024 Successful Applicants

Here is what DHERST said about the students on the Grade 12 selection Lists for PNG Tertiary Institutions 2024:

• Seamless Transition: Your application details have been securely transmitted to your chosen Higher Education Institution (HEI), facilitating a smooth onboarding process.

• Official Admissions Offer: Expect to receive an admissions offer letter directly from your selected HEI outlining acceptance procedures, important dates, and any additional requirements.

• Potential TESAS Eligibility: Congratulations if your chosen program qualifies for the Tertiary Education Student Assistance Scheme (TESAS)! Check your TESAS status on the NOAS platform (apply.dherst.gov.pg) by the third week of January 2024 for scholarship details.

For Non-Selected Applicants

• Admissions Pool Consideration: Your application remains active in the NOSS Admissions Pool. Should any HEIs have vacancies after the National Selections, your application may still be considered. Regularly check your MyStatus section on the NOAS platform from December 2023 to March 2024 for updates.

• FODE Second-chance Pathway: If your GPA falls below 2.0, consider upgrading your Grade 12 marks and apply as non-school leavers. Remember, the path to tertiary education remains open through the FODE and open learning pathways.

DHERST Grade 12 Selection (NOAS & NOSS)

The Department of Higher Education (DHERST) applauds all successful applicants and encourages those not selected to explore alternative avenues to realise their academic aspirations. 

If you have any questions, you can call our helpline or visit our website for more information.

Best wishes to all new tertiary students embarking on their academic journey in 2024!

Source: DHERST PRESS RELEASE (adapted, 23/12/2023)

DHERST Admission Pool Guide for Grade 12 Selections

The Admission Pool is a crucial part of the Grade 12 selection process, offering a chance for qualified students to secure admission into their desired programs. This guide breaks down the details of the DHERST Admission Pool to help applicants make informed decisions and increase their chances of success.

Understanding the DHERST Admission Pool

The DHERST Admission Pool includes Grade 12 applicants who meet the minimum eligibility criteria for their chosen programs but were not initially offered admission due to limited spaces. 

This pool of students acts as a dynamic reservoir, providing a second opportunity for deserving students to enter their preferred academic paths.

Steps for Grade 12 School Leavers in the Admission Pool

1. Regularly Check Your Account: Applicants should consistently monitor their NOAS accounts for updates on their admission status. Respond promptly to any requests for additional information or clarifications.

2. Reactivate Program Choices: Carefully review available program options and reactivate choices that align with the requirements of institutions with unfilled spaces. Strategic adjustments can improve the chances of admission.

3. Be Patient and Persistent: The DHERST Admission Pool is an ongoing process. Applicants should be patient as the situation evolves and remain persistent and hopeful throughout the selection process.

Admission Pool Facts

1. Transparency: The DHERST Admission Pool maintains high standards of transparency, ensuring that the selection process is free from nepotism, bribery, or corruption. Meritocracy is the guiding principle.

2. Efficiency: The system is designed for exceptional efficiency, with student names reaching institutions within seconds. This promptness streamlines the decision-making process for timely placements.

3. Fairness: Every applicant in the DHERST Admission Pool has an equal opportunity to secure admission. The system is unbiased, ensuring a level playing field for all.

Watch this video to know more about the Admission Pool:

PNG Insight has been following the selection process for a long time, offering valuable insights, updates, and resources to empower students, parents, and educators. Our commitment to providing educational information includes the exam results and selections and DHERST Admission Pool.

Note that PNG Insight is an education and development blog, we are not affiliated with DHERST. We aim to help applicants navigate the exam and selection processes with confidence and achieve their academic goals.

If you have any questions pertaining to education and development in Papua New Guinea that you would like us to address, please leave a comment below.

DHERST Online Form: What is "My Back Up Programmes" and "My Eligible Programmes"

The DHERST online form is the 'doorway' for Grade 12 school leavers to enter higher education in Papua New Guinea. Amidst the application process, two terms often elicit confusion and require clarification: "My Back Up Programmes" and "My Eligible Programmes." This article aims to clarify the complexities of these terms and empower applicants to make informed decisions.

If you are a Grade 12 students in the Admission Pool, here is what you need to know.

1. "My Back Up Programmes" on DHERST Online Form

"My Back Up Programmes" serves as a strategic safety net, providing applicants with a list of alternative program options in the event that their top choices are not attainable. 

These programs should align with both academic capabilities and personal interests, ensuring a sense of security and flexibility in the application process.

The Significance of Back-Up Programmes:

1. Enhanced Admission Chances: By including Back Up Programmes, applicants significantly increase their likelihood of securing a place in a tertiary institution, expanding their opportunities beyond their initial preferences.

2. Adaptability and Exploration: Back Up programmes offer adaptability in case academic performance or priorities shift. They also provide a platform for exploring diverse fields of study and potential career paths.

Choosing Back Up Programmes

1. Academic Alignment: Ensure that your subject combinations meet the minimum requirements for your Back Up Programmes, maintaining academic feasibility.

2. Personal Interests and Career Aspirations: Align Back Up Programmes with your interests and career goals, even if they are not your primary choices, fostering a sense of fulfilment and purpose.

3. Thorough Research and Exploration:** Conduct in-depth research on the programs and institutions, gaining valuable insights and making informed decisions.

2.  My Eligible Programmes"

"My Eligible Programmes" presents a comprehensive list of programs tailored to applicants' academic profiles, considering their performance and subject combinations.

These programs represent a suitable fit for their academic capabilities and aspirations.

Accessing Eligible Programmes:

1. DHERST NOAS Portal Access: Log in to the DHERST NOAS portal using your designated credentials.

2. Navigating to "My Eligible Programme": Seamlessly navigate to the "My Eligible Programme" interface within the portal.

3. Reviewing Program Requirements: Carefully review the list of programs and their respective requirements, ensuring a thorough understanding of expectations.

The Value of Eligible Programmes:

1. Focused Application Efforts: Eligible Programmes guide applicants towards programs that match their academic strengths, optimising their application strategy.

2. Realistic Expectations: They prevent applicants from applying to programs that exceed their current academic capabilities, setting realistic expectations and avoiding potential disappointment.

If you do not agree with your Grade 12 marks, here is how to ask for Re-marking and re-checking. (Click on the Image)

3. Additional Tips for DHERST Program Applications

• Diligent Program Requirements Review: Dedicate ample time to understanding the requirements for each program listed in "My Eligible Programme."

• Seeking Guidance and Advice: Engage in discussions with the school deputy principal, class patron or teachers to gain valuable insights and recommendations regarding program choices.

• Prioritisation Based on Interests and Strengths: Rank programs according to your interests and academic strengths, ensuring a balanced approach to decision-making.

• Attentive Form Completion: Complete the online application form with utmost care and attention, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.

• Regular Portal Updates: Regularly check the DHERST NOAS portal for important announcements and updates, staying informed throughout the application process.

• Exam Results & Grace Period: Take note of the release of the Grade 12 exam results and the duration of the Grace Period when aligning your choices with the institutions' expectations.

Conclusion (DHERST Online Form)

By knowing the differences between "My Back Up Programmes" and "My Eligible Programmes," applicants can navigate the DHERST online form with confidence, making informed decisions that align with their academic capabilities, personal interests, and career aspirations. 

Remember to seek guidance, and approach the application process with a strategic mindset. Best of luck in your pursuit of higher education!

How to Apply for DHERST Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)

If you are a student in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and need financial assistance for your higher education, then the Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) offered by the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) can be a good option for you. 

The HELP program for 2023 application will be open from 20th March 2023 to 31st October 2023. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of applying for the HELP loan program.

Here is the latest article on the TESAS & HELP Student Loan Program

Eligibility Criteria for HELP

Before applying for the HELP program, you need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

• You must be a PNG citizen.
• You must be enrolled and registered at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) recognized by DHERST.
• The study program undertaken by the applicant is accredited by the National Higher and Technical Education Board (NHTEB) or by another authorised body.

HELP Student Loan Application Timeline

The HELP program facilitates 4 batches every year. If you do not apply or do not submit your loan application in a batch, you have the flexibility to apply in the subsequent batch. The application timeline for HELP 2023 is as follows:

Batch Application Period

• 1  20th March - 30th April
• 2 1st May - 30th June
• 3 1st July - 31st August
• 4 1st September - 31st October

The last (4th) batch and the HELP application cycle for this year will be closed as of 31st October 2023. 

DHERST will not accept any applications from students who applied and submitted the HELP after this date.

Requirements to Apply for HELP Loan

To apply for the HELP loan program, you need to fulfil the following requirements:

Signed HELP Declaration Form: Enquire about the HELP declaration form from your institution. Fill out the form and submit it to your Registrar and/or Student Data Officer with one of the mentioned ID documents.

ID Document: You need to submit any one of the following ID documents along with your HELP declaration form:

• Gr 12 certificate
• Student ID
• PNG NID/birth certificate
• Passport
• Driver's license

 

Apply for DHERST Student Loan

Your Student Data Officer (SDO) at your institution will issue HELP login credentials to you. If you have forgotten your password, you may check with your SDO to get a new one.

First-year students who had NOAS credentials from 2022 and had their enrollment status confirmed by SDO can use the same credentials to apply for HELP. The same applies to continuing students who previously applied for HELP, they can use the same credential to reapply for HELP this year.

The HELP 2023 timeline will be made available to the HEI through the Registrar's office during the registration period.

Contact DHERST

For further information, please contact the DHERST Support Service at noassupport@dherst.gov.pg.

Or visit HELP login page https://ipng.dherst.gov.pg/

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) by DHERST is a great initiative to provide financial assistance to students who want to pursue higher education in PNG. 

If you meet the eligibility criteria and follow the application guidelines, you can apply for the HELP program and avail the benefits of the loan. 

We hope this blog post has provided you with all the necessary information to apply for the HELP program in 2023.

Note: This information appears on DHERST website.

DHERST Online Selection - Grade 12 Online Exam Results vs Grade 12 Online Selections

The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) clearly differentiated between the Grade 12 Online Exam Results and Grade 12 school leavers' online selections. 

Here is a post about DHERST Selections that provides information for Schools Leavers and Non-School Leavers.

The message below is DHERST's explanation of the two selection processes. 

"We wish to inform and clarify to the general public that the publishing and or release of Grade 12 Results is the responsibility of the Measurement Service Division of the National Department of Education and NOT the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST).

The National Online Application Systems (NOAS) is a separate system developed by DHERST for Grade 12 students to apply for further studies. The NOAS is not currently used for publishing Grade 12 Results, but rather to allow Grade 12 students to finalize their choices for further studies.

The National Department of Education have recently launched a separate system and website to access Grade 10 and 12 final results. To obtain Grade 12 final marks, please contact the National Department of Education or check their website. [DHERST Support Service, Facebook 06/12/2018].

MS PPT Image

In fact, two education departments are facilitating the Grade 12 results and online School Leavers Application (SLA) at this time of the year. 

First, the results - both Grade 10 and 12 results - are the works of the Measurement Services Division (MSD) of the National Education Department. 

Anything to do with the RESULTS is through this web address mypngexamresults.com. Perhaps it is important to know that the results are only provisional. That means that the results and other details like name-spelling that may have errors are subject to final changes.

Check out the latest article on Grade 12 DHERST Online Selection >>> Click Here

Second, the Grade 12 online selection for the tertiary institution is the work of DHERST. And, the online selection to tertiary institutions in the country comes under DHERST. 

This web address (https://apply.dherst.gov.pg) links to online applications and services the higher education department provides.

Fact files: Number of students year-by-year

• DHERST online selection began in 2017. So, the 2021 Grade 12 online selection was the 5th year of implementation. Students going to tertiary institutions in forecasted to remain at the 2018 figure of ~12000 - 13000 students. 
• 30711 Grade 12 students completed school in 2020, up nearly 1500 students from 2019. No significant increase in the number of students entering tertiary institutions in PNG.
• A total of 29,000 Grade 12 students took the exams in 2019. An increase of nearly 5000 spaces from 2018 
• A total of 12,234 students were selected to commence the 2018 academic year (47% of the 25,848 who applied)

DHERST and MSD Online result and selection systems

• MSD's inaugural online platform is for checking Grade 10 and Grade 12 results. It was implemented in 2018.
• Only two students preferences on the SLA in 2017 (5 preferences in 2018, 2019 and 2020)
• Students with a GPA of 2.3 or above were considered for selection in 2017 for 2018 entry into Higher Learning Institutions. The same for the 2018 selection for 2019 and the 2019 selection for 2020.
• The students selected via the DHERST online application platform are NOT automatically awarded a PNG government's TESAS scholarship (HECAS or AES). ONLY those who receive a scholarship award letter are on TESAS. 
• SELF-SPONSORED STUDENTS - if you are selected but did not receive the award letter from DHERST, consider yourself a self-sponsored student.

• Instruction on How to Use SLF Number to Identify Selected Students to Tertiary Institutions.
•  For more info on Grade 12 Tertiary Institutions selections for 2023, check out the recent post here.

The Gr 10 and Gr 12 online results for2023

For more information on the latest results, visit PNG Insight or click on the image to go directly to the *NEW* website.

Go to mypngexamresults home page

Recommended reading

We followed the developments in education over the years and have a collection of educational Apps and websites. Click here to check them out. You may also find our article on Grade 10 Online results here helpful. 

If you have any questions about the  Grade 12 selection process, PDF list, etc., please leave a comment below or check out this latest update on PNG Universities Non-School Leavers Selection.

About PNG Insight

PNG Insight is an education blog. It aims to highlight the key developments in the education sector in Papua New Guinea. Started in 2014 on Google's blogger (now self-hosted on WordPress), PNG Insight strives to be a platform for critical thinking and discussions; and a source of information.

You can follow us on Twitter (@PNG_Insight) for information on Education and Development in Papua New Guinea.