The Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology (DHERST) has announced the commencement of the Tertiary Education Study Assistance Scheme (TESAS) for the 2025 academic year. A total of 15, 889 awardee students have received the scholarship including; 5,251 first-year students selected via the National Online Selection System (NOSS). 631 non-school leavers meeting TESAS requirements. 10,007 continuing students enrolled in TESAS-eligible programs at registered higher education institutions (HEIs). The 2025 TESAS awards encompass first-year students selected through the National Online Application System (NOAS) and continuing students enrolled in all recognized HEIs, including universities and colleges. DHERST has acknowledged that some HEIs did not submit continuing student reports on time. Consequently, a supplementary TESAS list will be released in late March 2025 after the conclusion of semester one registrations. Institutions failing to submit reports on time are responsible for addressing their students’ concerns regarding TESAS eligibility. DHERST has also instructed that for the first year TESAS students, they have received their TESAS notifications via the NOAS MyStatus portal. Recipients must confirm their acceptance or decline as outlined in their notification. Those eligible for TESAS travel benefits will be notified of their travel arrangements (air, land, or sea) through the same portal. As for continuing students, those not listed on the TESAS award list should consult their respective HEIs for clarification. Self-sponsored students who have been awarded TESAS for 2025 are advised to check their travel itineraries with Air Niugini offices. Travel planners will adhere strictly to destinations provided by HEIs in the prior academic year. Meanwhile, the government through DHERST, has fully settled all outstanding TESAS arrears for the 2024 academic year and for this year, in alignment with the policy priorities of the Marape-Rosso Government, the National Budget 2025 has allocated an additional K10 million to TESAS. Disbursement of TESAS payments for Semester one this year will commence promptly upon the HEI’s full completion of student registrations. Furthermore, DHERST extends its gratitude to the National Government for its continued investment in higher education. "We also commend the dedicated efforts of HEI registrars, student data officers, and the DHERST team in ensuring the successful implementation of TESAS."