As part of its role to assist in the development of human capacity and the transformation of the economy, SIDF designed Recognising Everyone’s Ability to Climb Higher (REACH) to provide equitable access to post secondary education for qualified students, and prepare job seekers to make the transition to the working environment. REACH comprises two components - Educational Scholarships for Students in Advanced Institutions (ESSAI) and Training for Optimal Performance of School-leavers (TOPS).

Educational Scholarships for Students in Advanced Institutions (ESSAI)

Under this component, two-year scholarships are awarded to students to pursue studies at the Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) - Division of Arts, Science and General Studies (ASGS) and Division of Technical and Vocational Education and Management Studies (TVEMS) - and the Nevis Sixth Form College. To be eligible for a scholarship, students must (i) complete Fifth Form in St. Kitts or Nevis and enroll at CFBC or the Nevis Sixth Form College the same year, and (ii) agree to perform the mandatory minimum four hours per month of volunteer service with an SIDF approved charitable/non-profit organization of their choice.

The annual scholarship value is based on the number of CXC CSEC or GCE O’level subjects passed. Students receive a basic allowance of $2,500.00, an additional $250.00 for every subject pass above five (5) up to eight (8) subjects, and $100.00 for each subject pass above eight (8) subjects. The scholarship is disbursed over 12 months. Funds are loaded monthly onto a debit card issued to each student by St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank.

A special incentive annual allowance of $1,000.00 is paid at the end of each academic year to students at CFBC and Nevis Sixth Form College who successfully complete studies in French and Spanish or in any two of the following courses – Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. This incentive is given to encourage students to pursue these courses in an effort to address the shortage of skills in these fields in the Federation.

Training for Optimal Performance in School-leavers (TOPS) - Vocational and Professional

In the Vocational tier, students are provided with two-year grants to pursue technical and vocational studies at AVEC. To be eligible for a grant, students must (i) complete secondary school in St. Kitts or Nevis and gain acceptance into AVEC the same year; and (ii) agree to perform the mandatory minimum four hours per month of volunteer service with an SIDF approved charitable/non-profit organization of their choice. All students receive an annual grant of $2,000.00 disbursed over 12 months. Funds are loaded monthly onto a debit card issued by St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank to each student.

The Professional Tier offers three months of job preparation training along with a monthly stipend of $1,400.00 to graduates of secondary schools, CFBC, Nevis Sixth Form College and AVEC who are seeking immediate employment. Participants pursue courses leading to Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification, and undergo life and work skills training facilitated by the University of the West Indies Open Campus in St. Kitts and Nevis.

For the 2014-2015 academic year, SIDF awarded 805 scholarships and grants valued at approximately $2.3 million to students in the Federation. By providing financial assistance to pursue tertiary education and professional training in preparation for immediate employment, REACH is helping to build the capacity of the youth to make a meaningful contribution towards the sustainable social and economic development of our Federation.

(All applications must be submitted via the REACH portal on the SIDF website during the period stipulated.)