SAGICOR Foundation Jamaica has awarded 44 new scholarships, grants, and special awards valued at $7.5 million to students for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The foundation also granted 131 scholarship renewals for tertiary and secondary students valued at $20.3 million.

The 2026 recipients were selected from a pool of approximately 1,400 applicants following a process that considered academic performance, leadership, community involvement, and financial need.

The scholarships bring these 44 young Jamaicans one step closer to becoming the professionals and leaders they aspire to be.

President and CEO of Sagicor Group Jamaica and chairman of the foundation Christopher Zacca said this year’s recipients demonstrated strong academic potential, remarkable leadership qualities, and a commitment to making a positive contribution to their communities and country.

“Sagicor Foundation Jamaica stands firmly on its mandate to be a key player in the drive to improve the lives of our youth and provide pathways through which each young person can access quality education,” said Zacca.

Joshua Kerr receives his secondary scholarship certificate of award from Shawna-Kay Dias-Chambers, 2025 Sagicor Team Member of the Year.

“For us, this is not just an investment in our youth, but an investment in our nation’s development and in the security and strength of its future. Based on the quality of applicants this year, we had some really tough decisions to make. Ultimately, we were able to award scholarships to individuals who have shown outstanding promise in academics, volunteerism, and personal development, distinguishing themselves as future leaders and changemakers,” added Zacca.

Among the 44 awardees, 13 students received tertiary scholarships, renewable for up to four years, valued at $300,000, while another 10 students received one-time grants of $150,000.

The remaining 21 received $50,000 secondary scholarships based on their performance in the recent Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination.

The secondary scholarships are renewable for up to five years.

Two secondary scholarship recipients were Jahmar Amos and Travaneek Breakenridge who emerged as the Champion Boy and Champion Girl of the 2026 Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA)/Sagicor National Athletics Championship.

Travaneek Breakenridge (left) and Jahmar Amos, Champion Girl and Champion Boy of the 2026 JTA/Sagicor National Athletics Championships, display their certificates of award after receiving tertiary scholarships from Sagicor Foundation Jamaica

To be eligible for scholarship renewal, recipients must maintain an average of at least 3.0.

Tara Kelly, a nursing student at the University of Technology, Jamaica, who has a passion for fashion, said the scholarship will help ease the financial pressures associated with tertiary education and enable her to concentrate on achieving her academic goals.

“This scholarship will help to reduce the financial burden of pursuing my degree and allow me to focus more fully on my studies. I am grateful for the support, and I intend to make the most of this opportunity as I work towards completing my nursing education and making a meaningful contribution through my profession,” Kelly said.

As part of the programme, recipients will be required to complete 40 hours of volunteer service, giving them the opportunity to receive mentorship, build character, hone their leadership skills, and deepen their commitment to community engagement.

“When we invest in education, we invest in possibility. Every scholarship awarded represents an opportunity for a young person to realise their potential, uplift their family, and contribute meaningfully to national development. We believe these recipients will not only achieve academic success but will also become leaders who help shape a stronger, more prosperous Jamaica,” said Zacca.

This year’s awards will enable recipients to pursue their educational milestones in fields ranging from the arts, sciences, law, engineering, and technology.