The Fiji National Provident Fund has reintroduced laptop assistance for members under the existing Education Withdrawal Benefit.
The laptop assistance will be effective from April 15th, 2024 and is applicable for higher education studies.
Fund chief executive Viliame Vodonaivalu said the assistance is timely, as they had received a lot of requests from members to reactivate it.
“We receive a lot of requests from our members, particularly during the FNPF Member Forums, to assist members’ purchase laptops for their children and it is highly sought after to assist with higher education studies post pandemic.”
“We understand that not all parents can afford to equip their loved ones with additional educational tools to support their studies and this is one way the Fund can step in to allow the inclusion of the laptop assistance,” said Vodonaivalu.
“Although this assistance was phased out in 2009 due to abuse, controls have now been put in place to minimize risks.”
Vodonaivalu said the Fund is aware of the changing education landscape, especially where technology is concerned and that this assistance would only add value to a students’ learning experience.
Furthermore, the Fund recognized the emerging need to venture into online platforms not only for businesses but also for learning, as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To access the laptop assistance, members must have sufficient general account balance and must meet other requirements under the partial education withdrawal grounds.
