The government holds that everyone is entitled to the opportunity to be educated so as to achieve a proper standard of living and full development as human beings. The Ministry of Education is responsible for implementing the Government's plan for procuring educational assistance for post-secondary or tertiary education. Administration of the following scholarships, which provide students with the opportunity to pursue tertiary or post-secondary education fall within the purview of the Scholarship Unit of the Ministry of Education:

1. The Old Scholarship Loan
2. UWI students prior to 2000
3. The Education guarantee Fund
4. The All Bahamas Merit Scholarship
5. Family Island Scholarships
6. Commonwealth Scholarships
7. Scholarships to COB:

• National Awards & Bursaries
• Technical Awards
• Merit Allowance
• Junior Achievement
• Tuition for Teacher Trainees
• Teacher Education Grants

In addition the Divison assists with the following scholarships:

(1) Maritime Scholarship
(2) BORCO
(3) DELTEC
(4) Organization of American States
(5) Financial Advanced Community Trust

The Division advises executive bodies on matters of policy with respect to scholarships, ensures that scholarships are advertised, that applications are available and processed, provides counseling and support for applicants and existing clients, maintains a databank of current information, monitors and keeps accurate records, corresponds with borrowers regarding arrears or defaults, and generates reports that will assist in planning projects or policy evaluation.

The All Bahamas Merit Scholarship is awarded annually to a candidate from the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. The scholarship is given for four (4) years tenable tenable at accredited universities or colleges in the Caribbean, United States of America, united kingdom or Canada. The award includes Tuition fees, room and board, one round trip ticket, clothing and a personal and book allowance. The total award is not to exceed $25,000.00 per annum.

The recipient must maintain a 3.25 GPA for the first year and a minimum GPA of 3.50 for subsequent years.This scholarship is a joint venture of The Bahamas government and The Lyford Cay Foundation.

Criteria For Eligibility The Candidate Must Be:

• A citizen of The Bahamas who has been educated in the Bahamian
  secondary school system.
• Between the ages of 16 and 19 years and should have completed
  secondary school in the year of application or not later than one year
  prior to submission of application.
• Unmarried and childless.
• Have a strong moral character.

Commonwealth Awards

The Commonwealth Awards are awarded through the Bahamas government by various Commonwealth countries to successful applicants wishing to pursue further studies (usually a Master's Degree or Doctoral Degree) in the respective Commonwealth countries. The awards are offered annually from Canada, Cyprus, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Jamaica, the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago.

Gerace Research Centre Scholarships
(Formerly) Bahamas Field Station

These scholarships are awarded by an association of colleges and universities in the United States in co-operation with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture. Presently, some twenty-three college and universities offer tuition scholarships. The college/universities providing awards, along with the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture are responsible for making the final decisions regarding recipients.

Open to Bahamians only, the scholarships are available for studies at the Bachelor's Degree level. They are tenable at Bellarmine college, College of Charleston (south Carolina), Elmira College, emporia State University, Hartwick College, Kent State University (Kent Ohio), Gannon University, Lynchburg College, Lemoyne College (Syracuse, new York), Molloy College, Mississippi State University, Ohio State University, University of New Haven (Connecticut), Youngstown State University and Wittenburg University (spring, Ohio). The full tuition is paid by the institutions and The Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports & Culture awards B$4,000 for room and board.

Bahamas Government National Awards

These awards serve to recognize those students who have demonstrated academic excellence at the secondary school level. The financial assistance provided by the awards enables many of these students to pursue further education that initially seemed impossible. The Scholarship Advisory Committee is responsible for making the final decision regarding recipients. Scholarships are issued for studies at the Associate's Degree level. Award proceeds are paid directly to The College of The Bahamas.Open to Bahamians only, scholarships are tenable for studies at The College of The Bahamas.

In-Service Training Awards

In-Service Training Awards are generally granted to Bahamians and Public Officers who have served at least three (3) years in the Public Service; exceptional cases are considered. Candidates must be prepared to study in a subject area deemed a priority area by their Ministry or Department. The Public Service Commission is responsible for the administration of the award. The awards are normally granted in two categories: Partial / Limited and full In-Service Training Awards.

• The Partial In-Service Training Awards are usually limited to salary only. However, in some instances requests may be made for salary and tuition, or salary and a training allowance, depending on the circumstances.

• Full-In-Service Training Awards Local include salary, tuition, and book allowance. Awards are tenable at institutions in the Bahamas and abroad that are approved by the Public Service Commission.

The training allowance is provided at the rate of B$3,120 per annum for courses in Canada, Europe, United States, and United Kingdom, and B$1,440 per annum for courses in the west Indies.

Approval for an In-Service Training Award must be obtained prior to the departure of an officer, as there is no guarantee of automatic approval by the Public Service Commission. Any request for an award should be based on the Training Plan of each Ministry and Department. The deadlines for submissions are as follows

• Requests for September - May 1 of each year.
• Request for January- January - September 1 of each year.

A Committee will determine when the closing dates for submission of applications will be.

The Education Guaranteed Loan

In accordance with the Educational Guarantee Fund Act, 2001, which came into effect on 23rd August, 2000, the Education Guarantee Fund is awarded to students to pursue a course of study at the College of The Bahamas or colleges and universities abroad.

Criteria: A loan may be guaranteed under this Act if:

• The applicant is a citizen of The Bahamas
• The student is 16 years of age or more
• The loan is made to a person who is 18 years of age or more
• The applicant has been accepted into an approved institution.
• The loan will only be awarded for Tuition, Room and Board.

National Awards & Bursaries (Managed by the Tertiary Unit)

In September 1978 scholarship in the form of National Awards and Bursaries were made available to full time Bahamian students pursing courses in the Arts. Sciences and Technical subjects at the College of The Bahamas.

Criteria For Selection:

Candidates for National Awards should have obtained a minimum of five (5) G.C.E, B.G.C.S.E 'O' level passes including English and Maths, with at least two A's and three B's. If already in attendance at the College, they should have maintained a Grade point Average Point Average of 3.00 or above for one academic year.

Candidates for Bursaries in the Arts and Sciences must have obtained at least five (5) G.C.E. 'O' level passes, Grades 'C' or above.

In the Technical and Industrial areas three (3) G.C.E. 'O' level passes grade 'C' or above are pre-requisites for a bursary. Certain certificate courses, five (5) B.J.C's if already accepted for the course.

Teacher Education Grant (Managed by the Tertiary Unit)

Teacher Education Grant Awards are offered to eligible teacher trainees. Eligible recipients receive grants in the amounts of $475.00 or 556.00 per month for eight months as well as free tuition fees.

Candidates for the Ministry of Education and Teacher Education Grant must have obtained a minimum of five G.C.E./B.G.C.S.E. 'O' Level passes, including English and Maths at grade 'C' or above. If already in attendance at the College of The Bahamas they should have maintained a Grade point Average of 3.00 or above for one academic year.

Note: Applications for all Ministry of Education Scholarship can be obtained from The Scholarship Section of the Ministry of Education located on Thompson Boulevard or The College of The Bahamas Financial Aid Office.