Scholarship Programmes for Students in Belize
The Government of Belize provides several scholarships directly through the Ministry of Education. Many other scholarships are provided through agreements with other countries through the Ministry or through other ministries.
Scholarships provided through the Tertiary Unit, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports are as follows:
CSEC Merit Award
The CSEC Merit award is given for studies at any Junior college in Belize or the University of Belize.
Eligibility: Belizean student who have passed English and 5 other CSEC subjects at the general/technical proficiency level are eligible for this award.
Accessing the Award for Junior College: To get this award, student must submit the CSEC slip or certificate to the office of the registrar or finance officer depending on the Junior College.
Accessing the Award for the University of Belize: In order to receive this award for studies at the University of Belize, students must fill out an application form. These forms can be taken from the Tertiary Unit in Belmopan, District Education Centres and on the official website of the Ministry of Education. Along with the application form, students must submit the CSEC certificate letter of acceptance from the University of Belize, a copy of the passport data page or nationality certificate, or birth certificate.
Scholarship duration: 4-5 semesters depending on the study programme
Scholarship benefit: This scholarship covers tuition fee for an associate degree
Second Year Tuition Award
The second year tuition award is given to pupils who have passed into the 2nd year with 2.0 GPA. Students who have attained a GPA of 2.5 in semester 1 get the tuition waiver in semester 2 as well. It is awarded for studies in Belize.
Eligibility: All the Belizean students who are studying at any junior college or University of Belize are eligible for this award
Scholarship duration: 2nd year of the programme
Benefits: This scholarship covers tuition fee for an associate degree
International Scholarship Programmes
Following are the international scholarship programmes being offered to the Belizean students:
CONALEP
The National College of Professional Technical Education (CONALEP) of Mexico under the Department of International Studies and Academic Exchange and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of Belize provides scholarships every year to Belizean citizens who want to study at the Professional & Technical Bachiller Level in Mexico.
Eligibility: The Belizean citizens aged from 17 to 25 who have completed at least 2 years of high school are eligible for this scholarship. Also, students must at least have the intermediate proficiency level in the Spanish language.
Scholarship time frame: 3 years
Dates and deadlines: Opens in March and studies starts in August
Scholarship benefits: It covers living expenses, academic costs and airfares.
Cuba Medical
The Government of Belize and the Government of the Republic of Cuba provide scholarships in the field of medicine to 8 Belizean pupils.
Eligibility: The Belizean citizens aged from 18 to 25 who have completed their associate degree at any junior college or the University of Belize, are eligible for this scholarship. Also, students must have a strong background in science.
Scholarship duration: 6-7 years
Dates: Open in April or may every year
Scholarship benefits: It covers living expenses and study costs.
Belize and Santa Clara Scholarships
This is for studies in the USA and is provided by the government of Belize and the University of Santa Clara together.
Eligibility: The Belizean students, who have completed their associate degree at any junior college or the University of Belize, are eligible for this scholarship. It is offered for bachelor’s degree programme only.
Scholarship duration: 3 years
Scholarship benefits: It covers living expenses and study costs.
Belize and Mexico Scholarship Programme
The Government of the United States & Mexico provides about 20 scholarships to Belize every year.
Dates: Scholarships open in March
This scholarship programme is used by about 32 different universities all over Mexico offering several disciplines. It is offered for bachelor and master level studies.
To know more about the scholarship programme, get in touch with the Embassy of Mexico, in Belize.
Belize Open
This scholarship is available for study in any UWI (University of West Indies) campus in the Caribbean or any Commonwealth country
Eligibility: The Belizean students with the highest CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination) scores are given this scholarship. It is offered for bachelor’s degree programme only.
Scholarship duration: 3 years
Applying ways and means: Students must fill out an application form that can be picked up from the junior college of attendance and must be submitted through the Dean.
Scholarship benefits: It covers living expenses and study costs.
Professional and Technical (Prof & Tech)
This scholarship is provided by the government of Belize through the Ministry of Education and is available for bachelor degree study in any UWI (University of West Indies) campus in the Caribbean or any Commonwealth country.
Scholarship duration: 3 years
Dates and deadlines: Open for three weeks only in late may, early June
Applying ways and means: To apply for this scholarship, fill out an application form that is available at the main office of the Ministry of Education in Belmopan or the Education Centre in each district
Scholarship benefits: It covers living expenses and study costs.
Earth
This is offered for studies in Universities in Costa Rica. It is applicable for agricultural studies only in the country.
Scholarship duration: 4-4.5 years
Scholarship benefits: It covers living expenses and study costs.
Commonwealth Fellowship Scholarship
The Commonwealth Secretariat provides Belize 1 scholarship every year for Post graduate studies in the United Kingdom
Eligibility: Students must have a letter of acceptance from the University of choice in the UK.
Subject areas: Covers all the subject areas, with priority being given to programmes in accordance with the National Priority List.
OAS (Organization of American States) Scholarships
The OAS, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provides scholarships to the meritorious Belizean students for the Bachelors and Masters Level studies in the USA or Canada.
Subject areas: Includes subject areas that are in accordance with the National priority list.
Eligibility criteria: The Belizean nationals who have a good GPA score, academically strong and pass the interview, are eligible for this scholarship. Students must have a letter of acceptance from a university in the USA or Canada.
Dates and deadlines: Opens in December for the next academic year
Other International Scholarship Programmes
Scholarships are provided through other Ministries and the Embassies also:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: OAS scholarships– full and partial; for short term training and to full degree programmes; in various member countries
Embassy: Mexico
Ministry of the Public Service: Commonwealth Scholarship
Embassy: Taiwan
Financial Assistance
The Tertiary Unit of Belize government manages the financial assistance. It is given as one-time grants or paid out in installments. The financial assistance is paid directly to the educational institution on behalf of the student. It is also given directly to pupils in the form of stipend at international universities.