A mother with seven children breathed a sigh of relief as one of her children received a fully paid scholarship for the 2026 academic year. She was among the many parents whose children secured funding for their education from the Bank of South Pacific (BSP).

Students from across Samoa were awarded scholarships by BSP. For parents who were present at BSP's main office on Thursday, the scholarships meant easing financial burdens.

The BSP Samoa Scholarships Programme opened in November 2025 and closed on 9 January 2026. People were invited to apply for the scholarships that are offered annually. Since the inception of the scholarships, more than 600 students have been awarded scholarships.

Saleifi Aliioaiga Tui, mother of Oscar Aliioaiga, a Year 2 student at Apia Primary School, said the scholarship was a significant blessing for her family of nine. 

“To me, I feel so happy for this blessing for my child. My husband and I are raising seven children, and this scholarship award given by BSP has helped us pay for our son’s school fees this year. It’s really helpful to us," she said. 

"When I think about it, stationery these days is very expensive, and there are a lot of things to provide for not only the school fees but also lunch money and other school-related expenses.” 

Tui said it was not just school items that were expensive, but the cost of living was generally going up. She said supporting a family is not easy, and the cost of education is something that the government needs to consider.

Taiosavaii Autagavaia's two children were the recipients of the scholarships. Her children are Toetu  Autagavaia from Vaimea Primary School and Jacinta Autagavaia from Saint Mary’s College. 

“I feel thankful to God for this unexpected blessing. I also thank BSP for the awards being given to my children. I did not expect that my children would receive this kind of scholarship award,” she said.

"Such initiative not only helps build a future for children but also eases the financial stress for families as education does not come cheap."

Parents who spoke to the Samoa Observer said the scholarships provide not only financial relief but also encouragement for their children’s education. BSP’s initiative, celebrated at the main branch event, continues to have a meaningful impact on families across Samoa.