Financing for equity in higher education
1. Education resources to subnational governments
2. Education resources to institutions
3. Education resources to students
4. Support for students' living costs
Introduction
Key financing indicators (UIS Data)
The gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education for both sexes was 19.35 in 2024. UIS does not have available data on initial government funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita and initial household funding per tertiary student as a percentage of GDP per capita.
Tuition-free status
Higher education in Tuvalu is not tuition-free by law or policy. The University of the South Pacific (USP) Tuvalu Campus, the country’s only tertiary institution, is a public regional intergovernmental university jointly owned by 12 Pacific countries, including Tuvalu, and charges tuition fees.
Other post-secondary providers in the country are the Tuvalu Maritime Training Institute (TMTI), a government vocational institution established by the 2000 Tuvalu Maritime Training Institute Act, and the Tuvalu Atoll Science Technology Training Institute (TASTTI), a vocational institution administered by the Ministry of Public Utilities and Infrastructures’ Public Works Department.
Governance
The Ministry of Education and Human Resources (MEHRD), formerly the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports (MEYS), is responsible for the education system in Tuvalu. However, tertiary education is not part of Tuvalu’s formal education system, and the government does not operate any public tertiary institutions. MEHRD supports access to tertiary education by allocating government funds for scholarships and loans to citizens studying domestically or internationally.
1. Education resources to subnational governments
Tuvalu does not have subnational governments with separate fiscal responsibilities. Education financing is managed and allocated by central authorities.
2. Education resources to institutions
Funding for private universities in the absence of public institutions
No private universities operate in Tuvalu. The Maleta Kapane Halo Commercial School is a private TVET provider in Funafuti that offers courses in administrative and clerical skills. However, MEHRD does not appear to allocate funds to this institution or to any private post-secondary education provider.
Allocation and equity
No public universities currently operate in Tuvalu. In accordance with the Convention of the University of the South Pacific, the government of Tuvalu allocates an annual membership contribution to USP to support the university’s operations. Funds do not target equity.
3. Education resources to students
Admission for vulnerable groups
No information was found on specific admission criteria for vulnerable groups at the University of the South Pacific’s Tuvalu Campus or the Tuvalu Maritime Training Institute. However, some international scholarship programmes prioritize vulnerable groups.
Scholarships, grants and loans for vulnerable groups
Scholarships grants, and loans are governed by the 1976 Education Act, Revised 2008 and 1979 Education (Conditions of Scholarships) Regulations, Revised 2022. The Minister for Education and Human Resources Development is responsible.
Government financing for higher education scholarships in Tuvalu is channelled through three main schemes, as outlined in the annual budget’s Expenditure Policy. PreService Scholarships cover tuition, stipends, and related costs for Tuvaluan school leavers to pursue degree and diploma programmes, primarily at USP. In-Service Scholarships target current public servants to upgrade qualifications aligned with national human resource needs and are funded from a dedicated in-service scholarship budget line within the education sector. The Student Education Loan Fund (SELF) provides government-financed loans and tuition payments for additional students whose study costs are not fully met by grant scholarships. Scholarships and SELF together accounted for around 12% of total government expenditure in the 2025–2026 Citizen Budget Guide.
In accordance with Regulation 3 of the Education (Conditions of Scholarships) Regulations, scholarship recipients must make themselves available for “full-time or part-time employment in the Tuvalu public service or in such private or public employment or academic work as the Minister may approve” following completion of their studies. Per Regulation 4, recipients who fail to make themselves available for public service must repay their scholarship in whole or in part, as determined by the Minister.
In addition to government scholarships, students from Tuvalu are also eligible for foreign scholarships from donor agencies, most notably Australia Awards and New Zealand Manaaki Scholarships. Australia Awards applications are "strongly encouraged from women, people with disability and other marginalised groups”. Selection for the New Zealand Manaaki scholarship programme is primarily merit based, though the programme seeks to gender balance in selecting applicants.
4. Support for students’ living costs
Transportation
The Education (Conditions of Scholarships) Regulations, Revised 2022 states that the value of government scholarships may include travel, but offers no addition detail.
The government provides free bus service for all students, including those attending both government and private secondary schools. No information was found on how this policy applies to tertiary students.
To facilitate access for students living in remote areas, the USP Tuvalu Campus offers online learning.
Accommodation
No information was found on specific support for student accommodation. The Education (Conditions of Scholarships) Regulations, Revised 2022, state that the value of government scholarships may include “pocket money or other allowance”.
Textbooks
No information was found on specific support for student textbooks or other academic materials. The Education (Conditions of Scholarships) Regulations, Revised 2022 states that the value of government scholarships may include “pocket money or other allowance”.
