The CHASE Fund was established in late 2002 by way of provisions in the Betting, Gaming and Lotteries Act. Until recently, the Fund received a percentage of the proceeds from the gaming industry, which it used to invest in five defined areas of national life; Culture, Health, Arts, Sport and Early Childhood Education.
Since April 1, 2017, the Fund operates from a subvention from the Consolidated Fund. The resources received are allocated in the following proportions:
40%: Sports Development
In relation to Sports development, the Fund disburses monetary contributions to the Sports Development Foundation (SDF) for the benefit of various sporting interventions.
APPLY HERE NOW: https://chase.org.jm/how-to-apply-to-chase/
15%: Arts and Culture & CHASE Fund Scholarship Policy
In the area of Arts & Culture, the CHASE Fund provides financial support to projects which lead to improvement of libraries, archives and documentation facilities; which seek to restore and maintain the country’s historic sites and monuments; as well as scholarships for advanced programmes in the visual, performing and fine arts.
Scholarship Policy – Arts and Culture Sector
CHASE Fund Arts and Culture Scholarships and Education Grants are integral to the fulfillment of the objective to “establish, fund and implement programmes for the development of talents and skills in the areas of arts and culture”.
The CHASE Fund Arts and Culture Scholarships and Education Grants are integral to the fulfillment of the objective to “establish, fund and implement programmes for the development of talents and skills in the areas of arts and culture”.
These scholarships and grants are intended to help promising Jamaican nationals defray the cost to complete studies in specified areas of arts and culture, locally or overseas, at the following levels of academic pursuits:
• Undergraduate certificate or diploma courses
• Bachelors degree programmes
• Masters degree programmes
• Post graduate certificate and diploma programmes.
Overseas studies will only be supported where a comparable programme is not offered locally or where part funding has been secured through overseas scholarships.
Access the Scholarship Application Form & Policy– Arts and Culture
20%: Health & Scholarship Policy
In respect of Health, the CHASE Fund manages financing for projects which include: building, upgrading, restoring and equipping health facilities, providing training for healthcare practitioners; promoting healthy lifestyles; and developing and implementing programmes related to renal disease and cancer prevention, detection, treatment and care.
Scholarship Policy – Health Sector
CHASE Fund Health Scholarships and Grants are integral to the fulfillment of the objective of training personnel to administer and operate health facilities, children’s homes, palliative and drug rehabilitation centres, AIDS hospices and shelters for the homeless.
The training and upgrading of health professionals for the Health Sector is aimed at improving the capability of health professionals.
The CHASE Fund Health scholarship policy addresses:
i. the priority areas for support;
ii. the maximum annual allocation for scholarships;
iii. a cap on each scholarship; and
iv. tuition support as well as financial support for other expenses.
These scholarships are intended to help promising Jamaican nationals defray the cost of tuition only, to complete studies in specified areas consistent with the National Policy, at the following levels of academic pursuits:
• Undergraduate Certificate & Degrees
• Post Graduate Certificate & Degree Courses specialized fields eg. Neurosurgery
The CHASE Fund scholarships are open to eligible applicants pursuing studies in the priority areas. Each year CHASE will determine the areas of focus and cap the scholarships for each academic level. The overall cap on scholarships is 10% of annual income to the Health sector.
Access the Scholarship Application Form & Policy– Health
25%: Early Childhood Education & CHASE Fund Scholarship Policy
The Fund also places a heavy and strategic emphasis on Education projects at the critical early childhood level. Projects are focused on building, upgrading and equipping early childhood institutions and resource centres; supporting the development of early childhood materials to enhance the cognitive development of children.
Emphasis is also placed on improving the nutritional status of pupils in Basic and Infant schools, including those in infant departments within Primary and All Age schools; and providing scholarships for specialist training in Early Childhood Education.
CHASE Fund Scholarship Policy – Early Childhood Education Sector
The specific objective is to provide scholarships for candidates to pursue early childhood professional training leading to an Undergraduate or Associate Degree in Early Childhood; a Post Graduate Degree as well or specialised short courses.
There are approx. 5600 early childhood practitioners in 3000 basic schools and 404 registered Day Care Centres. Of this number only approximately 900 are college-trained.
80% of Tuition for Undergrad & Postgraduate Degrees
The specific objective is to provide scholarships for candidates to pursue early childhood professional training leading to an Undergraduate or Associate Degree in Early Childhood; a Post Graduate Degree as well or specialised short courses.
The CHASE Scholarship is awarded each year to applicants who have enrolled in full-time or part-time study at an accredited institution.
The allocation is capped at 20% of the sector’s annual receipts. The scholarships are awarded for the duration of the programme of study to a maximum of four years.
Students can apply for either one of the following categories:
- Associate’s Degree
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Post Graduate Degree
- Specialized Short Courses or to attend conferences locally and abroad
Access the Scholarship Application Form & Policy – Early Childhood Education
CHASE Fund Scholarship Requirements
The main CHASE Fund scholarship application requirements are outlined on their website or through scholarship advertisements in April or May each year. Application forms are available at the Office of the Early Childhood Commission located at 8-10 Ocean Boulevard, Kingston and on the CHASE Fund’s website at chase.org/scholarships.
The CHASE Fund financial aid programs will provide support for tuition only. A maximum of 80% of tuition per annum will be covered by the awards. All students must find funding for the balance through a loan, savings or other awards).
Recipients receiving scholarship awards in excess of $300,000 will be bonded according to the Ministry of Finance (MOF) policy – see bonding policy.
Applicants are required to maintain a “B” average during the full term of the programme. For the selection of the CHASE Fund scholarship awardees, the Scholarship Committee comprises of a representative from the CHASE Fund; the Early Childhood Commission (ECC); the Tertiary Unit (Ministry of Education) and the Teachers’ Colleges.
Other Requirements
- Be a Jamaican Citizen
- Applicants must demonstrate exceptional performance in key areas of academic achievement, contribution to community, school and workplace.
- Complete an application form
- Provide an official transcript
- Must have achieved at least a B average (GPA of 3.0) in the previous academic year
- Preference will be given to applicants who are employed to an Early Childhood Institution
- Provide an acceptance letter from the Institution/College.
- Provide a recommendation from the Education Officer/Development Officer and Parish School Board
Culture, Health, Arts, Sports and Education Fund (CHASE)
8 Belmont Road, Kingston 5,
Kingston, Jamaica
Tel: (876) 908 4134 or (876) 908 4144
Fax:(876) 908 4139
