HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES AWARDS PROGRAM

The High School Graduates Award Program (HSGAP) offers cash awards to graduating US high school seniors of Jamaican heritage who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their activities in school, community and/or workplace.

Applicants must –

• be a Jamaican or of Jamaican parentage,
• be a current high school senior who plans to enroll in a college or university upon graduation from a US high school in the same year as the current program,
• be ambitious and motivated as evidenced by outstanding achievement in school, community, or work activities.

The Awards

The cash awards vary according to students’ achievements, the number of students participating and the funds available from our sponsors and supporters. Awards are one time only and are not renewable.  Primary consideration are given to the applicant’s achievement in the academic area and supported by high school transcript, SAT scores and other relevant documentation. Consideration is also given to other extracurricular activities in school and community, work experience and the applicant’s record over the past four years.

The Ceremony

Recipients are announced at the Annual Awards Ceremony, usually held on the last Monday in June.  The Ceremony takes place in the presence of their peers, parents, teachers, and business and community leaders.  This is not a fundraising event.  It is an opportunity for our high school graduates to know that there is a community who supports them and congratulates them on this milestone in their educational journey. Selection of recipients is made by a committee convened by the Board of Directors of UJAA (USA), Inc., the current administrators of the program.