The NCB Foundation is appealing to schools that have qualified to apply for its Principles of Accounts and Principles of Business (POA/POB) National Bursary before applications close tomorrow.

Launched in 2003, NCB said in a release that the POA/POB National Bursary is an annual initiative by the foundation that pays the fees for students sitting those subjects at the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) level.

Partnering with the Ministry of Education, NCB said the bursary provides an additional subsidy to the ministry’s scheme which currently pays for four subjects. Together, the programmes provide an opportunity for Jamaican high school students to meet the minimum matriculation requirement for tertiary education — usually five CSEC subjects — the release said.

NCB said since the inception of the programme, the foundation has spent more than $154 million for close to 105,000 students.

Secondary school representatives are being encouraged to apply for the bursary via the foundation’s online portal for the 2018 examination period. To qualify, schools must have a sit rate of 90 per cent or higher in each subject, while students should have a minimum 70 per cent average in their subject of choice. NCB said all new schools — that is schools where candidates are sitting CSEC POA and/or POB for the first time — automatically are eligible.

“With registration for the May/June sitting of CXC’s CSEC having begun in October and slated to end in November, we’re imploring schools to apply. At NCB we are aware of the socio-economic challenges that many students face, and this is one of the ways we assist members of the communities in which we serve.

“We encourage parents, administrators and students to visit the website and get more information. Students can check the list of qualifying schools, and if their school is not represented, speak to your administrators,” NCB. Foundation CEO Nadeen Matthews is quoted as saying.

NCB said all schools that qualify and successfully apply will receive their confirmation letters via email by November 21.

“Once the letters are received, schools may take their full submission to the Overseas Examination Commission,” the release said.