Scholarship students in American Samoa will now be required to sign agreements to return and work in the territory.
Up until now, recipients of government scholarships are not obligated to return and work after they finish their studies.
But in changes to the scholarship program announced by the Governor, Togiola Tulafono, all recipients will now be required to sign agreements to return and serve the territory.
The governor said it was very disappointing that only a few students return after obtaining degrees from off island.
He said the government needed to maximise on its investment and make sure scholarship recipients returned and made use of their skills.
The American Samoa Government disburses $2 million in scholarships annually.
A separate $300,000 scholarship fund is allocated specifically for high school graduates studying to be teachers and $1.5 million is earmarked for teacher graduate studies and post graduate teacher certification.
