APPLICATION IS OPEN!

Scholarship Application Forms for the 2008-2009 academic year. Now available

The Lyford Cay Foundation, Inc. and the Canadian Lyford Cay Foundation are dedicated to opening doors for Bahamians who wish to maximize their potential through higher education.

Foundation scholarships are merit-based awards that recognize financial need. Significant changes have been made to the selection criteria, with greater emphasis now being placed on the financial need and resources of each applicant. The Screening Committees will also take into account the value of a candidate’s proposed field of study to the economic needs of The Bahamas, and personal qualities including his or her level of commitment to the community, determination, motivation, leadership skills and overall potential to succeed in college.

Application forms have been revised to provide the Screening Committees with more information about each applicant, the applicant’s family, financial resources, and the cost of attendance at the college or university of choice.

Proof of the total annual income of the applicants and/or their parents or guardians are now required, including base salary, anticipated tips or gratuities, commissions and bonuses. If any of the individuals concerned are self-employed, two financial letters of reference must be provided — one from a bank, and another from a responsible member of the community who knows the family’s financial situation well.

In addition, applicants are required to provide documentation detailing all offers of financial aid from the relevant college or university, other scholarship grants and/or government educational loans. The Foundations’ annual scholarship awards may be adjusted to reflect these other sources of funding.

Applicants for Academic Scholarships will be asked to submit two short essays: one based on a compulsory theme, and the other on the applicant’s choice among three topics provided by the Screening Committee. These essays will give candidates the opportunity to describe their achievements, challenges, talents and aspirations beyond those reflected in their academic record.

As part of the scholarship renewal process, successful applicants will now be required to show proof of having contributed a minimum of 20 hours each year to volunteer projects and/or service organizations, and to submit an annual Personal Evaluation Report summarizing the events of the past school year and their goals for the one to come.