The JCPD Scholarships is Accepting Applications For The Margaret Moody Scholarship

JCPD SCHOLARSHIPS JULY 5, 2021 WRITTEN BY: JUDITH A. HUNTER

The Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD Scholarships) is now accepting applications for the Margaret Moody Scholarship, open to persons with disabilities who are registered with the Council.

Two recipients will each receive JCPD scholarships amounting to $150,000.00 covering tuition, boarding and materials.

Executive Director of the JCPD, Dr. Christine Hendricks, told JIS News that the Margaret Moody Scholarship fund was established to support persons with disabilities who are pursuing tertiary-level education.

The JCPD Scholarships closing date is August 6, 2021.

The objectives are to provide financial assistance, to encourage academic excellence and to increase the intellectual and vocational capacities of persons with disabilities.

“This will allow for more effective integration into the employment sector and also strengthen the disabled community by helping to improve self-advocacy, leadership for community development and programme development, and stimulate a more positive attitude for self-actualisation among persons with disabilities,” Dr. Hendricks said.

Applicants for the JCPD Scholarships must be fully registered with the JCPD, pursuing studies at the diploma, associate or bachelor’s level, and the application must be accompanied by an acceptance from the tertiary institution.

Priority will be given to persons who are already attending an institution before applying and are maintaining a ‘B’ average or a 3.0 grade point average.

According to Dr. Henricks, the financial support will be extended throughout the course of study, but persons must maintain the academic average that is stipulated. Therefore, a progress report must be submitted before fees are paid over from the Scholarship.

The successful JCPD Scholarships awardees will also be required to complete 40 hours of voluntary service within the disabled community.

Application forms are available at the JCPD office at 18 Ripon Road or can be downloaded from the Council’s website at www.jcpdja.com.

Applications can be submitted to [email protected].

The closing date is August 6, 2021.

For further information on the JCPD Scholarships, persons may contact the JCPD at 876-968-8373; 968-0623; 926-9374-6; Fax: 876-906-8555 or send an email to [email protected].

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MARGARET MOODY (JCPD) SCHOLARSHIP CRITERIA

1. To provide financial assistance to persons with disabilities to access to tertiary education and courses for specialist qualification
2. To encourage academic excellence among persons with disabilities.
3. To encourage academic excellence among persons with disabilities.

Desired Impact of the Scholarships

It is desired that this programme will have an impact on:

1. The level of qualification attained by persons with disabilities for more effective integration in the employment sector.
2. The strengthening of the Disability Sector through:
3. improved self advocacy
4. leadership for community development
5. programme development within the sector
6. Stimulation of a more positive attitude for self-actualization among persons with   disabilities.

 Criteria for the Awards

 To this end the selection process will take into consideration the following criteria:

1. All applicants must be fully registered with the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities.
2. An applicant must pursue studies to the Diploma, Associate Degree or Bachelors Degree level. Applications should be accompanied by an acceptance offer letter from the institution where not received on time the acceptance letter must be submitted prior to the interview of the clients short listed.
3. Priority will be given to applicants pursuing training for the first time at the tertiary level; and/or students who have maintained a “b” average or a 3.00 GPA (grade point average). GPA during current studies.
4. Support can be extended for the duration of the course, subject to the applicant maintaining an annual average performance of not less than a “B” grade / 3.00 GPA average (A progress report must be submitted before fees are paid)
5. All successful awardees must complete 40 voluntary hours per annum. Twenty (20) hours within the Disability community that is independent of their substantive employment and Twenty (20) hours with a non disability related organization during the period of study. Performance and voluntary work must be substantiated by signed time sheets/card by the head or designated officer of the institutions to which the voluntary services were provided. Time sheets/cards will be provided by the JCPD. Services provided within an applicant’s organization will not be considered.
6. Scholarship grants will not exceed $150,000 per annum and the JCPD Scholarship can be used for tuition, boarding and materials
7. Applications must be made using the prescribed form and submitted to the Jamaica Council for Persons with Disability by the end of July each year.
8. Applications must be accompanied by an essay of no more than 250 words which should include information such as:

• Biographic data on the applicant
• Reason(s)) for the request (need for financial assistance)
• Reason(s) for the course of study selected and how it will impact the applicant and the community of persons with disabilities.

9. Financial support applied for, obtained or promised for the same academic year should be disclosed to the committee at the interview.
10. Two (2) character references is to be provided, at least one (1) should come from a Justice of the Peace, Minister of Religion, Teacher or Principal. The other can be supplied by any of the above not selected or anyone else.
11. The last available performance report should accompany the application; ie CXC results, for students currently enrolled in University last performance report.
12. Where an applicant is not given the JCPD scholarship they can apply in successive year. Clients who were disqualified can also reapply once their grade improves.

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