Questions have emerged over China scholarship opportunities promoted under the Trindell Consultancy name after prospective students received apparently conflicting information about tuition fees and funding conditions.
A source who approached this publication said they believed they had become a victim of the operation. The person requested anonymity because they feared possible retaliation.
Messages and promotional materials reviewed by this publication show that Trindell Consultancy advertises scholarships, self-funded university placements, immigration services and overseas employment opportunities.
However, the information presented across some of the scholarship advertisements and purported university documents does not appear consistent.
Applicants told payment would guarantee a scholarship
One message circulated under the Trindell Consultancy name informed prospective students that paying an application fee of 10,100 Chinese yuan through the organisation would guarantee them a scholarship.
According to the message, applicants needed to pay a quarter of the amount before the application process began.
The remaining three-quarters would then become payable after the student received an admission letter and a JW202 form.
Chinese universities use the JW202 form as part of the visa application process for some international students. However, receiving the document does not automatically prove that a student has secured a fully funded scholarship.
The Trindell Consultancy message claimed successful applicants would receive free tuition throughout their programmes. Students would reportedly remain responsible only for accommodation and everyday living expenses.
Other promotional material carrying the consultancy’s name, however, appears to present different terms.
Tourism Management offer lists annual tuition
One advertisement promotes a four-year Tourism Management degree in Qinzhou City, Guangxi.
Instead of offering free tuition for the entire programme, the advertisement describes the opportunity as a partial scholarship.
It lists annual tuition after the scholarship discount as 8,500 yuan. Students would also need to pay 2,000 yuan each year for accommodation.
Those conditions differ significantly from the earlier message suggesting that applicants who paid the consultancy fee would receive tuition-free education until graduation.
The difference could leave families uncertain about the true cost of accepting an offer. Moreover, tuition and accommodation expenses over four years could create a considerable financial burden.
Purported university notice carries different conditions
A purported admission notice carrying Nanchang Hangkong University branding introduces another set of scholarship conditions.
The document states that tuition would be waived during the first academic year. However, the student would have to apply for another scholarship from the second year onwards.
Academic performance and conduct would determine whether the university approved the new application.
Therefore, the notice does not appear to guarantee free tuition for the student’s entire degree.
A student who failed to secure funding after the first year could become responsible for tuition and other university charges. That possibility should be clearly explained before an applicant pays any consultancy fees or accepts admission.
Zhejiang document requests direct university payment
Another document reviewed by this publication carries Zhejiang University branding and describes itself as a pre-admission notice.
It instructs the applicant to pay first-year tuition directly into a university bank account. The institution would then issue the final admission notice and JW202 form after receiving payment.
The document does not describe the placement as a fully funded scholarship.
Paying tuition directly to a university account may offer more protection than transferring money through an intermediary. Nevertheless, applicants should independently confirm the bank account and document with the university before making any payment.
This publication could not independently confirm the authenticity of the documents by the time of publication.
It also could not establish the exact nature of Trindell Consultancy’s relationships with the universities named in the promotional materials.
Advocate Joyce Marufu linked to advertisements
Advocate Joyce Marufu has been linked to advertisements circulated under the Trindell Consultancy name.
This publication called the organisation’s publicly advertised WhatsApp number, +260 97 681 3334, to request her response.
Questions focused on the application fees, claims that scholarships were guaranteed and the different tuition conditions appearing across the promotional documents.
The call was not answered before publication. This publication remains willing to include a full response from Trindell Consultancy or Marufu.
Marufu has also used social media to promote what she calls the New Zimbabwe Movement.
Additionally, she has presented herself as having a close relationship with Zambia’s President. However, this publication could not independently verify that relationship or establish whether the Zambian presidency has endorsed any of her activities.
Students urged to verify scholarship offers
Prospective students and parents should contact the named university directly before transferring money.
Applicants should use contact details listed on the university’s official website instead of relying only on telephone numbers or email addresses supplied by a consultant.
They should also request confirmation from the Chinese Embassy where necessary.
Before making a payment, applicants should demand a written breakdown of all charges. The documents must clearly state whether the scholarship is full, partial or limited to the first year.
Families should also request an official service agreement, a transparent refund policy and written confirmation explaining what happens if the university rejects the application.
Most importantly, applicants should never assume that admission or funding is guaranteed simply because an education consultant has accepted an application fee.