The Ministry of Education advises that the initial review of all 45,953 applications received for the 2026 School Supplies and Book Grant has been completed, and it is now undertaking the necessary final verification checks to confirm eligibility and ensure that the available assistance is directed to the most vulnerable applicants.
In a press release on Thursday, the Ministry said it expects to have completed final verification for approximately 10,000 applications by tomorrow, Friday, August 28th, 2026, with final verification of the remaining applications expected to be completed by Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026.
The Ministry said these final verification checks are essential to maintaining the integrity of the programme, safeguarding public funds and ensuring that assistance is directed to eligible applicants who are most vulnerable.
Payments to successful applicants are expected to begin by Wednesday, September 2nd, 2026.
According to the Ministry, the 2026 programme received 45,953 applications from students across approximately 668 schools and educational institutions, including Government and Government-assisted primary and secondary schools, Government-sponsored private secondary schools, Special Education Institutions, and SERVOL Junior Life Centres. As such, it said it is processing a significantly larger number of applications than under previous grant disbursement exercises within a shorter implementation timeframe. The application period opened on June 22nd, 2026, and concluded on July 11th, 2026.
Priority consideration will be applied in the following order:
- Unemployed applicants
- Applicants from low-income households
- Applicants from families with multiple dependents
- Applicants with children with special needs
- Applicants who receive government assistance.
The public is reminded that the amount payable to successful applicants is based on the student’s class level during the 2025/2026 academic year, as follows:
- $1,000 – Infant 1 to Standard 5 students
- $500 – students entering Form 2 in September 2026 (Form 1 students during the 2025/2026 academic year)
- $1,000 – Form 1 and Form 3 to Upper 6 students
The Ministry explained that the $500 allocation for students entering Form 2 considers the Ministry’s provision of six books with embedded learning support, designed for use with their laptops.
Parents and guardians can monitor the status of their applications through the online portal at bookgrant.moe.gov.tt. Applicants will also receive email notifications with updates on their application status and payment information.
The Ministry of Education said it recognises the importance of the School Supplies and Book Grant to families as they prepare for the new academic year, and remains committed to progressing the verification and payment process as efficiently as possible.
Further information on the distribution of cheques and other relevant updates will be communicated via the Ministry of Education’s official channels as the process continues.