FOR Jessica Jones and Cavasha Stewart, being recipients of the 2025 Jamaica Co-operative Credit Union League (JCCUL) tertiary scholarships is about more than financial relief — it is a symbol of their hard work, perseverance, and a promise that a bright future is one step closer.

“I feel that I deserve it,” said Jones, a fourth-year business administration student at Northern Caribbean University, who received the Glenn Francis Scholarship.

According to Jones, she has been working hard and performing well academically, so being selected as one of the two tertiary awardees to emerge from a pool of more than 200 applicants affirmed her efforts.

“I think it’s God’s timing, nothing beats a try but a failure. And as I said, I deserve it and I’m the one. I’m a big deal,” declared Jones.

She added that the award, valued at $500,000, will allow her to graduate debt-free and pursue her dreams of becoming a financial advisor, while lessening the burden on her parents who have been supporting her through her tertiary education journey.

“I feel that the scholarship is a big win because my parents would be able to save and do other things with their money. So I would be debt-free leaving NCU and going on to my ‘big girls plan’, and in the future, I will be able to help others also,” added Jones.

Her sense of accomplishment was mirrored by Stewart, who received the Milburn Corrie Co-operative Scholarship.

Stewart, who is studying economics at The University of the West Indies, said there is no happier feeling than knowing her diligence paid off.

“Earlier, they stated that more than 200 persons applied, and so to be one of the two that received one of the scholarships, I’m quite grateful,” said Stewart.

She told the Jamaica Observer that the scholarship was more than a financial boost, but a chance to dream bigger.

“It’s beyond just the financial aspect for me, beyond just tuition; it will help me realise my dreams further. So, I’ll be able to complete my studies, of course, but it will propel me to just accomplish my future dreams and my goals,” said Stewart who pointed out that she had been looking at several avenues for financial assistance.

Stewart said applied for the JCCUL scholarship on a whim and has dedicated her triumph to God.

She believes that she was blessed with the opportunity to be able to complete her studies, so that she could help others.

“It’s really mainly volunteering, giving back to the community in any way that I can. So, outside of just volunteering, as soon as I’m able to provide resources to underprivileged youths, that is something that I aspire to do, being one myself. So, as soon as I’m able to do something like that, I will give back,” vowed Stewart.

Karen Corrie-Brown (right) presents the scholarship named after her father, Milburn Corrie, to Cavasha Stewart at the JCCUL award ceremony last Friday. (Joseph Wellington)