Purpose

The Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) is a registered non-profit organization committed to identifying and responding to the needs of the Caribbean/African community.  This includes community outreach as well as responding to the educational needs of this community through the establishment of a Scholarship Program.  The purpose of the Scholarship Program is therefore to provide financial assistance to worthy students from the Caribbean/African community, who are pursuing post-secondary studies in Ontario Universities/Colleges.  

Scholarship Allocation
The following Scholarships will be awarded annually:

 I Have a Dream Scholarship (2 @ $1000 each)
Sponsored by the Jamaican Canadian Association to assist students with significant personal achievements beyond scholastic ability.  This includes personal accomplishments in spite if adversity.

Youth Affairs Committee Rising Star Scholarship ($1000)
Sponsored by the JCA Youth Affairs Committee (YAC). YAC is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers committed to the Personal, Social, Economical, Professional, and Cultural development of Black and Caribbean youth. YAC serves as the critical median through which the voices of youth can be heard.

Erma Collins Scholarship ($1000)
Sponsored by Professor Erma Collins. She retired from George Brown College in 1998, after 27 years service as a professor of English and 5 years as the chairperson of the English and Liberal Studies Department at St. James Campus.  Professor Collins has been volunteering for several years in the JCA and other organizations.  Her lifelong commitment to education has motivated her to sponsor this scholarship.

Marcus Mosiah Garvey Scholarship (2 @ $1000)
Sponsored by the JCA to increase awareness of Afro-Canadians of the life, philosophy and work of Marcus Garvey.  This includes his goals of universal independence and positive development of the Black Race.  

Mary Anne Chambers Scholarship ($1200)
Sponsored by the Hon. Mary Ann Chambers, Minister of Training Colleges and Universities.  She is a former senior vice-president of Scotia Bank, where she earned a reputation for superior performance and responsible ethics-based leadership.  Her personal commitment to education includes the sponsoring of a basic school in Jamaica and the providing of other scholarships to the John Brooks Foundation and Scholarship Fund.  

Ryerson Scholarships (2 @ $1000 each)
Sponsored by Ryerson University for one male and one female first year student attending that university.  The special mission of Ryerson is the advancement of applied knowledge and research to address societal need, and the provision of programs of study that provide a balance between theory and application and that prepare students for careers in professional and quasi-professional fields. As a leading centre for applied education, Ryerson is recognized for the excellence of its teaching, the relevance of its curriculum, the success of its students in achieving their academic and career objectives, research and creativity, and its commitment to accessibility, lifelong learning, and involvement in the broader community.  

Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning Scholarship ($1,000)  
Sponsored by Humber College for a first year student attending that institution.  Recognized for excellence and for the integrity of its programs since 1967, Humber College is one of only three colleges designated by the Ontario Government as an Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning.  The College offers over 150 program options at the diploma, certificate, baccalaureate and post-graduate levels.  Humber College is one of North America’s preeminent colleges, receiving more applications than any other college in Ontario making it the top choice of students.   At Humber, students gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, from professors who are leaders in their fields and who care about their students’ success. 89% of Humber graduate are employed within six months of graduating and 92% of employers who hired Humber graduates are pleased with their skills and performance in the workplace.

Eva Smith Bursary ($750)
This bursary is named in honor of the late Eva Smith, a tireless community worker who dedicated her life to youth concerns, women's rights, immigration issues, education and community empowerment. Sponsored by the Eva Smith Achievement Association, this bursary is awarded to African-Canadian youth (including single parents and those in the justice system), who are pursuing a post-secondary education.

Barbara Thomas Bursary ($500)
Donated by Barbara Thomas, a JCA member for over 25 years.  She is a retired nurse with several years working experience in acute care and nursing administration. Barbara is a recipient of the Ministry of Citizenship Award for volunteer service.

York Regional Police Scholarship ($1000)
Donated by York Regional Police.

The Brown Dental Scholarship ($1000)
This scholarship is donated by Dr. Lancelot A. Brown, who was born in Montreal to Jamaican parents. His university education included 2 years of a Batchelor of Science in Honours Biochemistry, and 4 years of dental school, graduating with a Doctor of Dental Surgery all from McGill University. He then gained an additional 4 years of training and experience in the Canadian Armed Forces Dental Services, the last two years of which he was appointed as the Officer in Charge of the Royal Military College Dental Clinic.  

Anne - Marie Bonner Scholarship ($1000)
This scholarship is sponsored by Anne - Marie Bonner, Jamaica’s Consular General to Toronto. In Jamaica, Ms Bonner was a senior director in the Policy Support Unit of the Office of the Prime Minister from 1992-1998 where she co-ordinated and advised on social policy. Anne - Marie also managed and co-ordinated the San Jose Accord and Airport Privatization projects

The Jamaica Day Basil Duncan Memorial Scholarship ($1500)
This Scholarship is donated by the Jamaica Day Event Board of Directors in honour of the late Basil Duncan who was a member of that Board.

The Jamaica National Building Society Scholarships (2 @ $1000 each)
This Scholarship is donated by the Jamaica National Building Society, a financial institution that facilitates money transfers from Canada.  

Eligibility

Eva Smith Bursary, Barbara Thomas Bursary, I Have a Dream, Erma Collins, Mary Anne Chambers, YAC Rising Star, Ryerson, Humber College, York Regional Police, Ann-Marie Bonner, Jamaica Day Basil Duncan Memorial Scholarship, Dr. Brown and Marcus Garvey Scholarships. 

 An Applicant for these Scholarships/Bursaries must:

1. Be a Canadian Citizen or Landed Immigrant of Caribbean/African background
2. Be enrolled as a full time first year student at an Ontario University/College or other post-secondary institution
3. Applicants for the YAC Scholarship must have completed at least 1 year of a full-time studies at the college or university level in Ontario
4. Demonstrate remarkable academic performance or progress in high school
5. Demonstrate involvement and leadership in campus and/or community activities.
6. Demonstrate financial need
7. Applicants for the Marcus Mosiah Garvey scholarship are required to submit a two-page essay on The Life and Times of Marcus Garvey.
8. Preference will be given to Community College applicants for the Erma Collins Scholarship
9. Applicants for the YAC Scholarship must produce a 500-word essay on either one of the following topics: The Maroon In Jamaica, The Haitian Revolution, The Importance of Civic Engagement as a Youth, The Importance of Youth Cultural Education
10. Applicants for the Ryerson Scholarships must be first year students of that university
11. Applicants for the Humber College Scholarships must be first year students of that institution.
12. Preference will be given to a high school, college or university student demonstrating exceptional aptitude in the health sciences, as well as a natural ability to draw, paint or sculpt, for the Dr. Brown Scholarship.  The winning candidate should posses a strong desire to pursue a career in dentistry, dental hygiene or dental assistant.
13. Applicants for the Anne - Marie Bonner Scholarship must be in the first year of study in an arts or Caribbean studies program.
14. The Jamaica National Building Society Scholarships will be awarded to final year students of Jamaican background studying for a degree in business, law, science, technology or nursing.

 Dr. Ezra Nesbeth Scholarship

1. An Applicant for this Scholarship must be a college or university student studying Business, Technology, Computer Science or Health Science who best meets the following criteria:
2. High academic standing (minimum B average)
3. Completed at least one (1) year of college or university in Canada
4. Demonstration of leadership ability
5. Demonstration of strong oral and written communication skills
6. Involvement in extracurricular activities within the university, Afro-Canadian community, or wider Canadian community
7. Must be a landed immigrant or Canadian citizen
8. Receipt of not more than one other award of equal or greater value in the current year
9. Economic need will be a key eligibility criterion. A certified statement of net worth may be requested.
10. Must have a good understanding of the importance of economic self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship to the success of African Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area, and elsewhere in Canada
11. Applicants for this scholarship will be required to complete an addition application form.

Additional Requirements for all Scholarships

1. An application must include an original or copy of the most recent university/college transcript or report card from the last semester of high school verifying academic performance.
2. A two-page double-spaced essay describing the applicant’s academic and career goals.  This should include how local community/campus activities in which the applicant is involved will enhance these goals.
3. Two letters of recommendation as character references and descriptions of performance, potential as a student, leader, and employee or volunteer must be submitted with each application.
4. Two passport size photographs.  These photographs become the property of the JCA and may be used for its purposes.
5. Proof of status in Canada (Citizen or Landed Immigrant).

Selection Criteria

Based on the following criteria, one individual will be selected for each Scholarship by an established JCA Scholarship Selection Committee:

1. Demonstrated scholastic ability
2. Applicant’s response to the essay questions
3. Involvement and leadership in community/campus activities
4. Significant personal achievements beyond scholastic ability which may include personal accomplishments in spite if adversity
5. References
6. Commitment to career goals
7. Successful candidates will receive only one scholarship.

The decision of the Selection Committee is final.

Application Forms are available from:

   The Jamaican Canadian Association Center
   995 Arrow Road, Toronto M9M 2Z5

   The JCA website (Scholarship Application Form)

    Various Universities/Colleges

Completed applications must be submitted to the JCA Center on or before July 25, 2008.

The JCA is a Membership / Social Service Agency serving the Black and Caribbean Community; providing Cultural Integration & Settlement to New Immigrants, Advocacy, Crisis Intervention, Youth and Family Services, Counselling to Women who are Survivors of Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault and Employment Preparation for Experienced Workers