The Jamaica Values and Attitudes (JAMVAT) Programme provides assistance to tertiary students who qualify for admission, but are financially challenged to cover their tuition cost. Access to this programme provides the opportunity for students to participate in the development of the nation’s social capital through their contribution of 200 hours of public service. Upon completing the JAMVAT programme each student should receive 30% of tuition payment not exceeding $350,000.
Basic Requirements of the JAMVAT Programme
Student applicants of the JAMVAT programme should provide the details of TWO (2) potential work placement sites which are conveniently located near to you, by affixing signature and stamp of the organization it indicates their willingness to facilitate your completing the required 200 voluntary hours.
Only government and non-profit organizations are approved for this component. This form MUST be signed and stamped by the placement representative and submitted for approval by the JAMVAT office before commencement.
Click here to download the placement options form
- Certified copy of your Birth Certificate/Valid ID and TRN.
- New students must attach a certified copy of their acceptance letter (no more than 6 months old).
- Returning students must attach a status letter, and an official transcript with proof of GPA (no more than 6 months old).
- Tuition letter.
- Passport Size Picture.
Conditions
- Applicant must be between the ages of 18 & 35 on or before December 31 of the year of application.
- Applicant must be a Full Time student.
- Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or above.
- Complete 200 service hours upon approval.
Any misleading/fraudulent information given will disqualify an applicant from accessing the programme.
The objective of the JAMVAT programme is two fold. It aims to ensure that all qualified Jamaican students will continue to have access to tertiary education. The programme also aims to develop and strengthen the participating students’ sense of civic responsibility while it simultaneously encourages positive values and attitudes towards community development and nation building.
Application Process
Applications for each year/phase of the Project will be accepted between May and June of each year. Please submit your application to your school’s JAMVAT Programme Liaison or the nearest National Youth Service office. The application form is designed to determine the applicants’ suitability for entrance into the programme.
One primary factor is financial need and the second is the existence of resources to satisfy the portion of the tuition payment that the grant will not cover. Consequently, the applicants must provide personal data, a recent photo, employment details, student status details, the nature of current financial assistance, the amount of current savings, household details, the nature of current financial assistance, the amount of current savings, household details, listing of household members and the particulars of two referees.
The form must be signed by the JAMVAT Programme applicant, witnessed and dated. If the applicant is under eighteen years old, the application must be co-signed by the parent or guardian.
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Application packages are downloadable from the National Youth Service website at www.nysjamaica.org. Tertiary institutions have Liaison Officers to assist with the application process. They assist in returning completed forms to the JAMVAT office. The packages are returned to JAMVAT with the assistance of the National Youth Service Corporate Services Officers (CSO) located each parish or through TARA courier service
.JAMVAT reviews the application packages to ensure that they are completed correctly and then forwards them to the SLB. The SLB selects the applicants who qualify to participate in the programme and compiles an approval list. The approval list and the original application forms are returned to the JAMVAT office.
The approval list is forwarded to JAMVAT in May/June. JAMVAT enters the awardees on its database and posts a copy of the approved list on the website and also forwards it to the liaison at the institutions. Students are required to continually check the NYS website for the approved list and may use this method for other JAMVAT updates.
The participant is required to sign, date and have witnessed a formal agreement regarding their involvement in the programme. This agreement details the programme requirements and benefits. It also stipulates conditions for release, suspension, and termination. It also mentions the existence of a grievance procedure.
Source: Benefits of the JAMVAT Programme on The Ministry of Education and Youth, Jamaica website.
