The Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Commission (BGLC FAQs) is accepting applications for the ‘BGLC Tertiary Education Grant’, for the 2023/2024 academic year.
The grant is available to full-time first to fourth-year undergraduates, no older than 26 years, who are enrolled at an accredited local tertiary institution and have a grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.75.
Manager, Corporate Affairs and Communication at the BGLC, Wendy Robertson, said a total 325 students are being targeted to receive $60,000 each towards their tuition.
Applications are only being accepted online; as such, interested persons may access the application portal via the BGLC website at www.bglc.gov.jm or by visiting https://bglceducation.fund/. The deadline for submission is Friday, July 14.
“The grant really is a way of the BGLC helping tertiary students to afford their higher educational goals,” said Robertson, noting that one source may not be enough to help students meet all their financial needs as it relates to tuition at an enrolled university.
Among the application requirements, students are being asked to submit a 600-word essay focused on responsible gambling.
Since the tertiary education grant was launched in 2014, the BGLC has invested just over $104 million to assist more than 1,800 students. Please review the following BGLC FAQs for further information.
BGLC Tertiary Education Grant Eligibility and Application Criteria
Jamaican citizen.
- Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on the 4.0 scale.
- Fulltime Undergraduate Student confirmed to attend or currently enrolled at an accredited local tertiary institution.
- Complete the online Application Form and provide supporting documents to substantiate the application.
NOTE: Have your national ID, transcript (dated no earlier than December 21) and your completed essay ready to upload before you start the online application – see BGLC FAQs below.
600 word writing assignment
- Topic: “You have been invited to make a presentation on Responsible Gambling at an upcoming conference on Responsible Gambling in Jamaica. The Government of Jamaica, RISE Life Management and the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission will be attending. Prepare a speech which addresses at least:• One (1) social impact of gambling
• One (1) economic impact of gambling, and
• Provide two (2) recommendations to boost responsible gambling messages locally.”
2 References – Name and Contact details
The Reference must have known the applicant for at least 1 year and may be from any of the following categories:
- Justice of the Peace; Officer of a Government Ministry or Agency (SEG 1 & above)Consular Officer; Attorney-at-law; Member of Parliament; Parish Councillor; Bank Manager (CEO, Branch Manager); Credit Union Manager (CEO, Branch Manger); Clerk of Courts; Marriage Officer; Army Officer (Major & above); Dental Surgeon; Doctor of Medicine; Police Officer (Gazetted Ranks); Veterinarian; Principal (Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Educational Institutions.
Certified copy of a National ID.
Drivers Licence, Passport, or Voters ID. School IDs are not considered to be an official form of national ID
Evidence of progression in tertiary studies
- Entering 1st year:
- Acceptance Letter if entering first year.
- Latest CAPE results.
- 2nd, 3rd and 4th year students:
- Latest available transcript reflecting grades for at least 1 semester prior to your academic year – dated no earlier than December 2021.
2023 Tertiary Education Grant – BGLC FAQs
Can I get a grant for post-graduate studies?
No. The BGLC Tertiary Education Grant is awarded to students who are pursuing studies toward an undergraduate degree or confirmed to enter the 1st year of an undergraduate degree programme.
Is this grant only for first-year students?
No. The BGLC Tertiary Education Grant is available to students for any year of their undergraduate degree studies. Students can apply for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th year.
Can I apply for the Education Grant before being accepted into a university?
No. You must have a confirmed acceptance letter to apply for The BGLC Tertiary Education Grant
How do I know if I’m eligible to apply?
Eligibility and Application Criteria as follows:
- Jamaican citizen
- Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
- Full-time undergraduate student
- Confirmed to attend or currently enrolled at an accredited local tertiary institution
- Complete the 2023 online application form and provide supporting documents to substantiate the application.
- Documents required to be uploaded to the online application portal
- Acceptance Letter (If entering 1st year)
- Transcript – latest available reflecting grades for at least December 2022.
- Latest CAPE or CSEC results (If entering 1st year)
- 2 references
- Certified copy of a national photo ID
- Photo
- 600-word assignment – Topic to be advised by BGLC
Where can I access the application form?
Access the applications at the BGLC Website at www.bglc.gov.jm under the Education Grant tab for all the relevant information.
Can applications be scanned and emailed?
No. All applications must be submitted via the online application form.
Who can I contact directly about the grant?
You may address all inquiries to info@bglc.gov.jm, call 876 630 1353 or WhatsApp 876 224 2452
What are the supporting documents I should submit with my application?
- Documents required to be uploaded to the online application portal
- Acceptance Letter (If entering 1st year)
- Transcript – latest available reflecting grades for at least December 2022
- Latest CAPE or CSEC results (If entering 1st year)
- 2 References
- Certified copy of a national photo ID
- Photo
- 600-word Essay – You have been invited to make a presentation on Responsible Gambling at an upcoming conference on Responsible Gambling in Jamaica. The Government of Jamaica, RISE Life Management and the Betting Gaming and Lotteries Commission will be attending. Prepare a speech which addresses at least one (1) social impact of gambling and one (1) economic impact of gambling, and provide two (2) recommendations to boost responsible gambling messages locally.
Should I submit original documents upon submission of the application so that they can be processed?
No. Please scan and upload certified copies of your documents. A certified copy of a document is one where a JP has viewed the copy and the original and has stamped and endorsed the copy as a true copy of the original document seen. Only certified copies of documents should be submitted with the application.
Will an application be incomplete if a transcript is delayed by an institution?
Yes. An application is incomplete if all documents are not uploaded by the deadline date. You will need to have the transcript and all other documents at hand to upload when you start your application online.
Do I need a transcript from my high school if I have my CSEC and CAPE results/certificates?
CSEC/CAPE certificates are sufficient documentation for applicants entering the 1st year of their degree programme, along with the acceptance letter. (Provisional or confirmed)
What is an official transcript?
An official transcript is the University’s certified statement of your academic record. The official “paper transcript” is printed on security-sensitive paper and contains the University seal and signature of the University Registrar.
What is an unofficial transcript?
An unofficial transcript is one that can be easily downloaded and printed by students. Unofficial transcripts do not have a college seal or registrar’s signature.
What to do if official transcript isn’t readily available?
The unofficial transcript may only be provided as a temporary substitute until the official transcript is available. If a student is selected for the grant, the award will not be disbursed until the official transcript is provided. When an applicant is chosen as a recipient of the BGLC Tertiary Education Grant they must submit the official transcript before the grant is confirmed and funds disbursed. There will be a deadline within which the official transcript must be provided.
How long does the disbursement process take?
BGLC makes every effort to disburse funds by the end of October. However, the process of updating student accounts with the Grant is dependent on several factors: 1. The time it takes for schools to confirm students’ registration to BGLC 2. The time it takes for schools to provide an invoice to BGLC based on the confirmed registered students 3. The time it takes for schools to update student accounts once the disbursement is received from BGLC FAQs!.
Who are considered acceptable references?
The Reference must have known the applicant for at least 1 year and may be from any of the following categories:
- Justice of the Peace
- Officer of a Government Ministry or Agency (SEG 1 & above)
- Consular Officer
- Attorney-at-law
- Member of Parliament
- Parish Councillor
- Bank Manager
- Credit Union Manager
- Clerk of Courts
- Marriage Officer
- Army Officer (Major & above)
- Dental Surgeon
- Medical Practitioner
- Police Officer (Gazetted Ranks)
- Passport Officer
- Veterinarian
- Principal (Primary, Secondary & Tertiary Educational Institutions
When is the deadline for submitting my application?
The BGLC Tertiary Education Grant application deadline is July 14, 2023.
How long after the deadline has passed are we notified of our status?
BGLC tries to advise applicants about the outcome of their application on August 31. Notifications are sent by email to the email address given in the application.
How much is the Education Grant worth? – J$60,000
Are applicants given the option to use the Grant for any expenses other than tuition fees?
The BGLC Education Grant may not be used for any other expenses.
If I have deferred, can I receive the Education Grant in the following year?
If you have deferred your studies for the semester, you automatically forfeit the BGLC Tertiary Education Grant and will have to reapply in the subsequent year.
Is the BGLC Tertiary Education Grant reoccurring?
The BGLC Education Grant is issued only for 1 year and is not recurring. Students must reapply each year.
Can I reapply for the BGLC Tertiary Education Grant if I have been previously awarded the grant?
Yes, as long as you have not received the Grant more than two times.
If I receive another scholarship, will I still receive the grant?
If your school advises that you do not have any balance due for tuition fees because of having earned another scholarship, then the Grant would be forfeited and allocated to another needy student.
Are you bonded by the company or country after receiving the grant?
No. There are no binding obligations associated with the BGLC Education Grant.
Can funds disbursed be sent directly to student accounts?
The BGLC Education Grant is not paid directly to students. BGLC disburses the Grant to your school. Your school will then adjust your account to reflect the credit for tuition fees.
Source: BGLC FAQs Tertiary Education Grant
