Background and Rationale
CHASE Fund is committed to supporting the Health, Early Childhood Education and Arts & Culture sectors by providing scholarships and grants to eligible Jamaican citizens in need of financial assistance as they pursue courses of study that align with the mandate areas of the Fund. The training/upgrading of health professionals for the Health Sector is a priority to improve the quality offerings and set the stage for effective development of the sector. Similarly, the training of candidates for the Early Childhood Education sector will bolster the cadre of qualified practitioners in the field whilst expanding the scope and opportunity for professional growth in the sector. For the Arts & Culture sector, CHASE aims to support the development of talents and skills of promising candidates pursuing programmes in these areas.
The award of scholarships and grants is subject to the availability of funds.
Coverage of Scholarships and Grants
- CHASE Scholarships are awarded for final year of study, save and except for scholarships awarded to Early Childhood Education practitioners pursuing Bachelor of Science Degrees in Early Childhood Education, which shall be supported for the duration of the programme. Notwithstanding, CHASE reserves the right to consider supporting applicants at any stage of their programme based on needs analyses.
- CHASE will fund up to one hundred percent (100%) of the tuition cost of the academic year that the scholarship has been awarded for.
- Normally, CHASE shall support tuition only. However, in special circumstances, other costs such as books and housing may be considered where the applicant has secured alternative sources of funding for tuition.
- Overseas studies will only be supported where a comparable programme is not offered locally or where part funding has been secured through overseas scholarships.
Academic Levels Supported
The following levels of academic pursuits are supported under CHASE Fund Scholarships and Grants:
Degree Programmes (Bachelor’s and Master’s)
Diploma and Certificate Courses
Persons pursuing doctoral studies aligned to the priority areas of CHASE may be considered on a case by case basis.
Eligibility Requirements – Scholarships
- The applicant must be a Jamaican citizen.
- The applicant must have maintained a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher or a “B” average or the equivalent in his/her chosen area of study as established by official school records/transcripts.
- The applicant must complete an application form and provide a recommendation from the institution enrolled in.
- The applicant must demonstrate financial need.
- The applicant should not have received a CHASE Scholarship at another level of study.
- The applicant must be in the final year of the programme.
- Areas of study must be in keeping with areas of focus stipulated by CHASE and aligned to National Priorities.
- The applicant must agree to engaging in community/voluntary services in their area of study following the completion of their programme.
Eligibility Requirements – Grants
- The applicant must be a Jamaican citizen.
- The applicant must have maintained a satisfactory level of academic performance in his/her chosen area of study as established by official school records/transcripts.
- The application for a grant must be submitted on behalf of the applicant by the institution he/she is enrolled in.
- Financial need of the applicant must be stated in a personal affairs letter and confirmed by the institution.
- The applicant must be in the final year of the programme.
- Areas of study must be in keeping with areas of focus stipulated by CHASE and aligned to National Priorities.
- The applicant must agree to engaging in community/voluntary services in their area of study following the completion of their programme.
When and How to Apply
Scholarships shall normally be advertised on the CHASE website, with the relevant instructions on when and how to apply. However, CHASE reserves the right to utilise alternate channels for advertising its scholarship offerings. Grants shall normally be announced directly to accredited tertiary level institutions and applications invited.
Scholarship Selection Committee
The focus for each year as well as the distribution of scholarships across the different academic levels and areas will be determined by the Board of Directors consequent upon the recommendation of the Scholarship and Grants Selection Committee. The Committee will comprise selected members of CHASE’s Sector Committees. External Committee members may be co-opted if required. The Committee will conduct interviews with all shortlisted applicants as part of the decision-making process. Decisions of the Committee will be made and communicated by June 30, each year. The selection of recipients for grants will be done at sector committee meetings; recipients for grants may not be interviewed.
Bonding (See Bonding Policy)
Recipients receiving scholarship and grant awards in excess of Three Hundred Thousand dollars ($300,000) will be bonded according to the Bonding Policy of the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service and any other related Ministry. The policy addresses coverage of the bond; period of service; guarantors; and forfeiture. Changes to the Policy will apply automatically where relevant. Recipients will also be required to provide service to the country based on the expertise acquired from their programme of study.
