The Jamaica Foundation of Houston (JFH) announces its Annual Scholarship Program for exceptional college students and high school graduates in the Houston metropolitan area. Applicants must be enrolled in a four-year or higher accredited program. A completed application must be postmarked no later than Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 for the application to be considered.

Mail completed application to:

Jamaica Foundation of Houston
P.O. Box 710824
Houston, Texas 77271-0824

For additional information contact us at 832-316-3290,
or send an email to JamaicaFoundationHouston@gmail.com



SUPPORT NEEDED FOR JAMAICA FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

This is a request for your support of the Jamaica Foundation of Houston scholarship program to assist talented and needy college students in the Houston area with financial assistance.

Organization: The Jamaica Foundation of Houston is a non-profit, educational and cultural 501-C3 organization, dedicated to strengthening of cultural ties between peoples of the Caribbean and Texas, particularly those resident in the Greater Houston area.

Background: Each year, the Jamaica Foundation of Houston through its Scholarship Program, provides financial assistance, based on academic performance and family financial need to the most qualified college students selected from a pool of quality applicants. The program, administered by a Scholarship Committee, is comprised of at least one member of the Board of Directors, along with other individuals from the general membership, and/or officers of the Foundation. The committee is responsible for the program of advertising for applicants from Houston and Caribbean area Colleges and High Schools, and interviewing candidates for selection as scholarship recipients.

Recent history of the program: Through the years, from the inception of the Scholarship program in 1985, the Jamaica Foundation and its predecessor organization has awarded more than 140 scholarships. Recipients have gone on to graduate and become respected professionals in their chosen communities. The fields of specialization are diverse, and include doctors, lawyers, engineers and teachers.

The scholarship recipients in 2000 comprised one student from St. Kitts, an American from Houston, one Jamaican resident in Jamaica and two other Jamaicans residing in Houston. They ranged from entering freshman to graduating senior. All show great promise of future significant achievements, and all had a strong need for financial assistance.

In 2001 ten scholarships were awarded for study at the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, University of Texas - Arlington, University of Texas - San Antonio, Prairie View A&M, University of North Texas and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The candidates were from diverse background as in most years.

In 2003 the Jamaica Foundation awarded fifteen scholarships, again for study at a number of universities, both within Texas and in other states as well. The institutions of study were Texas Woman’s University, Duke, University of North Texas, Eastern Michigan University, Texas Southern University, Prairie View A&M, Baylor, Hampton and Wiley College.

A record sixteen scholarships were awarded in 2005 at the first Annual Scholarship Awards Luncheon.

Funding for the scholarships is a major thrust of the committee and requires an ongoing and dedicated effort to accomplish the goals set each year. The number of scholarships awarded each year is based on the number of applicants, their qualifications and the amount of available funds.

Sole individuals, individuals with company matching funds and sole corporate sponsorships have been and remain the backbone of the funding for the annual awards.

In response to the tremendous support of the Scholarship Program through the years, the Foundation has established five recognition levels for acknowledgement of funding sponsors. The Table below summarizes the sponsorship and recognition levels and they are as follows:

Rationale:  This program, supported by individuals and companies in the community, will further the aims of the Jamaica Foundation in strengthening ties between the Caribbean and Texas.  It will help to provide a more qualified work force for Houston area businesses.

Scholarship Recipients for the 2008/2009 School year:

Scholarship Committee Members:

Dr. Noel. J. Clarke, Chair
(Others to be announced later)