Solomon Islanders wanting to study at the National University next year will have to compete for government sponsored scholarships.
The finance and treasury minister Rick Hou revealed this in parliament while presenting his 2014 budget.
He says the government will not offer additional free tertiary scholarships after learning that the decision to do so this year has eaten dramatically into the current budget.
He says the estimated costs for tertiary scholarships and funding for the Solomon Islands National University in 2014, are five times greater than they were in 2009.
Mr Hou says as of next year, all government scholarship awards will be re-introduced through a more stringent screening process.
Mr Hou says the action is expected to reduce tertiary scholarship costs by over 7 million US dollars next year.
But he says students who have re-applied for other government scholarships will be considered by the National Training Committee for 2014.
