Organization : Ministry of Education
Facility : Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses Programme GATE
Applicable For : Students
Country : Trinidad and Tobago
Website : https://www.moe.gov.tt/
MOE Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses Programme
The Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses Programme (GATE) is administered by the Funding and Grants Administration Division of the Ministry of Education – Tertiary Education Division.
Related : MOE Trinidad and Tobago Higher Education Loan Programme HELP : www.statusin.org/42338.html
Further to Government’s philosophy for developing human capital and entrepreneurship and for permitting access to education for ALL, the Government intends to ensure that
** There are no limitations to accessing quality education.
** All recognized programmes offered by tertiary education will be considered, providing they fulfil the Government’s quality assurance requirements.
** All students, including post-graduate students, will be bound by a period of service.
The period of service will be linked to the value of the grant (Part-time students accessing GATE funding may apply their current employment experience incrementally as part of their period of national service.
Objectives
The objectives of the GATE programmme are
** To make tertiary education affordable to all so that no citizen of Trinidad and Tobago will be denied tertiary education because of their inability to pay.
** To widen access to tertiary education that will support economic development and promote social equity.
** To build and strengthen a national quality tertiary education sector through both public and private tertiary level institutions.
Benefits
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has embarked upon policies and strategies that will position education at the helm of societal development and assist in developing our human resource capital. The Government has therefore committed to specific strategies related to tertiary education.
Its three main policies focus upon :
** Improving access and increasing participation
** Ensuring relevance
** Ensuring quality
Student Terms and Conditions
In consideration of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (the Government) agreeing to finance the tuition fees of the Student for the above mentioned programme of study, the Student agrees to
** submit to the discipline, supervision and control of the Institution;
** apply himself/herself diligently to his/her studies throughout his/her entire programme with a view to obtaining the specified qualification and thus maintaining minimum performance standards;
** authorize the relevant institution of study to release to the Ministry of Education – Tertiary Education Division (the Ministry) information relating to his/her progress during the tenure of the funding; and
** comply with any professional standards applicable to his/her programme
The student agrees to apply for GATE funding for only one programme at a time.
The Student shall seek and obtain the approval of the Ministry in writing, in the event that the student:
** abandons his/her programme;
** proceeds on a leave of absence from his/her programme of study.
The Student agrees in the event that he/she withdraws, is suspended or is granted an approved leave of absence from the programme or institution, that he/she will inform the Ministry in writing within one (1) week, in order to access further funding under the GATE Programme.
The Student shall inform the Ministry if he/she intends to terminate or suspend the programme of study at the Institution. All financial assistance by the Government will cease until such time as the Student will obtain the approval by the Ministry to continue the GATE funding from the Ministry.
GATE FAQs
What is the GATE Programme?
The Government Assistance for Tuition Expenses (GATE) Programme provides financial assistance to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, who are pursuing GATE-approved tertiary level programmes at local and regional public and private Tertiary Level Institutions (TLIs).
The GATE Programme is administered by the Funding and Grants Administration Division (FGAD) of the Ministry of Education – Tertiary Education Division.
Can I apply for GATE funding?
You can apply for GATE funding if :
** You are a citizen of Trinidad and Tobago with a continued period of residency of at least three (3) years prior to application (Documentary proof of citizenship and residency must be provided).
** You have been accepted to a GATE-approved local or regional public TLI or a local private TLI.
** You are enrolled in a GATE-approved programme that leads to the award of a recognised tertiary level qualification.
Will there be any bond for GATE funding?
All students who accept GATE funding will be bound to a period of national service that will be linked to the value of the GATE funds received.
Can a part-time student apply for funding under GATE Programme?
Yes. Part-time students can apply for funding under the GATE Programme. Part-time students who are employed and accessing GATE funding for a new programme of study may apply their current tenure of employment to their period of national service.
Are there any associated fees?
There are no fees associated with applying for funding under the GATE Programme.
What is the duration of GATE funding?
GATE funding shall be accessible to students for the duration of the approved programme.
Should the student fail to complete the approved programme within its stated duration and have received funding that exceeds the tuition fees approved for that programme, the student shall not be granted access to GATE funding for any period in excess of its stated duration.
The Funding and Grants Administration Division (FGAD) shall review an extension of the duration period of an approved programme by reason of extenuating circumstances on a case-by-case basis.