Health Ministry outlines July 10 deadline and rules for Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship

The Ministry of Health and Wellness used a public webinar to remind applicants that the Barry Wint Memorial Scholarship window closes on Friday, July 10, and to explain who can qualify this year. Officials said the fund is now in year three of a five-year programme and supports Jamaican students pursuing approved health-related tertiary studies.

According to the ministry team, successful applicants can receive up to J$1 million per year, paid directly to the institution for tuition. New and continuing students may apply once they are in accredited programmes at accredited institutions, whether in Jamaica or overseas. Officials stressed that awards are competitive and all submitted records are checked.

Applicants must be Jamaican nationals, and continuing students must meet a minimum GPA of 2.75 and keep that standard to remain funded. Required submissions include an acceptance letter for new entrants or a status letter for current students, a transcript for students already enrolled, a 500-word personal statement, two recommendation letters, and an income-and-expenditure statement. The ministry also said scholarship recipients are bonded to serve in Jamaica’s public health sector, with service periods tied to award value, and must provide guarantors after an award is granted.

The ministry said this cycle is limited by the fund’s remaining timeline, so applicants must be entering a three-year programme or be able to complete their course within three years. Officials said graduate programmes can be considered if they fall in the priority areas and fit that timeline. They also indicated that several programmes are not being prioritised this year, including general nursing, as the ministry targets areas it described as critical national needs.

During the session, presenters walked applicants through online registration, including account creation, document upload in PDF format, and two-factor authentication through Google Authenticator. They advised persons to check spam folders for verification emails. Returning scholarship recipients were told they do not need to reapply, as the ministry will process continuation based on institutional transcripts and GPA performance. Officials said award decisions are expected in August.