Who Qualifies for a Jamaica Scholarship
A Jamaica scholarship is open to and accepted from all Jamaican students and selected foreign nationals who have resided in Jamaica for at least five (5) years to the time of the scholarship application submission. Like students, there is plenty of variety in the types of awards that are offered in Jamaica. Some are merit, athletic or major-based, while others are geared towards students with specific alum (schools), parish, artistic and musical abilities. There are even a few scholarships out there for students who don’t do anything at all.
As an enrolled or applicant student, there are many ways to qualify for a Jamaica scholarship. Chances are, there are several scholarships for Jamaican students with your specific interests and goals. With that, it is easy to qualify for a Jamaica scholarship. However, it can be difficult to win a scholarship if you don’t apply yourself and most importantly, apply on time.
Some scholarship sponsors and donors receive more qualified applications than they have awards available. While, on the other hand, most scholarship donors don’t receive enough applicants and others receive none. Yes, none! There are Jamaica scholarships that most students aren’t aware of and thus, receive no applicants.
Chances of Winning a Jamaica Scholarship
The most competitive Jamaica scholarship have a selection ratio of 1 in 35. The least competitive awards have a selection ratio of 1 in 3. According to a limited study conducted by the ScholarshipJamaica.com Research Team in 2014, 11% of undergraduate students receive private sector scholarships, and the average amount received is about J$50,000. This put your scholarship winning ratio at approximately 1 in 10.
A Jamaica scholarship will not be handed to you by donors just for been present. Scholarship donors in Jamaica want to give scholarship money to the most talented and hardworking qualified applicant. So to maximize your chances of winning the award, you need to identify the criteria the donors are using to select the scholarship winners. All the scholarship we publish at ScholarshipJamaica.com has the application criteria attached. Therefore, it’s best to fulfill the criteria and critique your application from the donors and scholarship selector’s perspective.
It’s important to know when to apply to a Jamaica scholarship (between November and May annually) and when not to, and your qualifications play a large role in determining your course of action. If you do not meet all of the qualifications, it’s a wasted of your time to apply. The scholarship selection committee may not even look at your application.
Spend time applying for scholarships that you absolutely qualify for so as to increase your chances of actually winning a scholarship.
You can help your chances of winning by applying for less competitive scholarships, such as local awards, smaller awards like those offered by ScholarshipJamaica.com, SAJFoundation.com or the Grace Scholarship Fund. For example, first year university students have a better chance of winning a scholarship, since fewer final year students apply for Jamaica scholarships. But don’t neglect the more competitive national scholarships, such as the Carreras, JN Foundation, Sagicor, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of education or GraceKennedy Foundation scholarships, since these also tend to be more lucrative.
It is important to remember that scholarship donors are evaluating applications you submit and not you, the Applicant. You need to ensure that your scholarship application and the supporting documents contain all the relevant information the scholarship committee needs to evaluate your application. The committee only knows what your application and your letters of recommendations tell it. Write an application that highlights the aspects of your background that match the sponsor’s goals.
How do I use my experience to win?
This is easy. When applying for a Jamaica scholarship, most if not all will require an essay and proof of community service or volunteerism. When writing your essay, make sure to try to mention or show how your community service and volunteer work has help you to be a better person and most of all how it helped your group, church, club and the wider community.
In winning Jamaica Scholarships, you need to transfer your need, experience at work, school, church and in clubs along with your desire to pursue your academic dreams in your essay and during your interviews with the scholarship donor or selection committee. Jamaica scholarship donors love to see the passion in their applicants and your essay or interview is the only medium that they can use to feel this.
Conclusion
All Jamaican students are qualified for scholarships in Jamaica. Make sure when you are applying, you are either currently enrolled in school or you have applied, received your acceptance letter or awaiting. It doesn’t matter your age, race, gender or field of study. There is a scholarship out there just for you – start your search here at ScholarshipJamaica.com.
