Obligatory Service
Contractual Obligation
As a recipient of a National Scholarship or National Bursary Award, you have a contractual obligation to serve the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT).
- As outlined in the Agreement, in return for financial support for the period of study, the Scholarship Recipient of the ‘loan’ agrees, on the conclusion or termination of his/her course of study:-
To accept employment in the service of the GORTT in such capacity within the field of study and at such remuneration as the Permanent Secretary may determine, for the prescribed Period of Obligatory Service which is related to the cost of the Scholarship.
Duration of Obligatory Service
The duration of the obligatory service will be based on the cost of the scholarship and will be in accordance with the Schedule in the Policy in Obligatory Service in respect of Scholarships and other Training Awards.
For persons whose scholarship agreement was executed on or after May 23, 2013 the following table will be used to determine the period of Obligatory Service to be served:
| Cost of Scholarship | Period of Obligatory Service |
| Up to $100,000 | One (1) year |
| Over $100,000 and up to $300,000 | Two (2) years |
| Over $300,000 and up to $400,000 | Three (3) years |
| Over $400,000 and up to $600,000 | Four (4) years |
| Over $600,000 | Five (5) years |
For persons whose scholarship agreement was executed prior to May 23, 2013 the following table will be used to determine the period of Obligatory Service to be served:
| Cost of Scholarship | Period of Obligatory Service |
| Up to $50,000 | One (1) year |
| Over $500,000 and up to $100,000 | Two (2) years |
| Over $100,000 and up to $150,000 | Three (3) years |
| Over $150,000 and up to $200,000 | Four (4) years |
| Over $200,000 | Five (5) years |
Further information can be found in the Obligatory Service in Respect of Scholarship and Other Training Awards Policy, approved May 23 2013 – Click to view.
Reporting for Service
All recipients (Scholarships & National Bursaries) are required to report in person to the SATD immediately upon the completion of their course of study for which they were awarded.
Recipients pursuing their course of study locally are required to report in person within two (2) weeks of completion of their course of study.
Deferral of Obligatory Service
Recipients who are unable to report in person for any reason must apply for a Deferral of Obligatory Service from the Scholarships and Advanced Training Division in advance of the date on which he/she is due to report in accordance with the policy on deferral.
Applications for Deferral and all other required documents must be submitted online via Scholarship Website by clicking here.