Jamaica National (JN) Money Services has launched a $500,000 scholarship programme aimed at supporting the children of farm workers participating in the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme (SAWP) in Canada.
The JN Fields of Opportunity Scholarships will award six scholarships in total — two at each educational level: $50,000 for primary, $75,000 for secondary, and $125,000 for tertiary education. The programme was officially launched on Wednesday, July 9, at the JN Financial Centre on Belmont Road in Kingston.
Addressing the launch, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., highlighted the long-standing partnership between JN and the Ministry’s Overseas Employment Programme.
In July 2024, the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with JN Money Services Canada Limited, a subsidiary of JN Money Services, to formalize their collaboration aimed at improving the welfare of Jamaican farm workers in Canada through social support initiatives.
“We applaud the efforts to expand beyond just financial into truly impacting the lives of our farm workers and their family members in a very substantive way,” the Minister said.
He further noted that farm workers often miss important family milestones such as birthdays and graduations, emphasizing that “any help we can give to these nation-builders that are dedicating their life to uplifting their families is a good investment.”
Minister Charles Jr. encouraged prospective scholarship recipients to remain focused and committed to excellence.
“It is truly an honour for us together to be declaring that the investment in these children and in these students is worthy, and I know that the farm workers would want me to express gratitude to JN for the partnership, for the vision and just for the commitment,” he added.
General Manager of JN Money Services, Horace Hines, remarked that the institution has always prided itself on supporting educational causes.
“What we have today is a game changer. We do feel that it will help to enrich the lives of not just our current customers but the next generation, and we hope that we can plant a seed that will help to grow generations to come,” he said.
Mr. Hines also revealed plans to expand the scholarship programme to farm workers in the United States in the near future.
Assistant General Manager of JN Money Services, Sanya Wallace, outlined the application process and eligibility requirements.
Applicants must be participants in the SAWP for at least three years, have been a JN Money customer for two of those years, and have completed at least one transaction since the start of the 2025 SAWP season.
Additionally, students must maintain an average grade of B or higher and not be recent recipients of any JN Money or JN scholarships.
Applications can be submitted at any JN office in Canada or via mobile units.
“They are simple application forms – their name, the name of the student, their level and just a short reason why they want the scholarship and why we should choose them,” Ms. Wallace explained.
Scholarships will be awarded prior to the start of the September 2025 school year.
 Money Services has launched a $500,000 scholarship programme aimed at supporting the children of farm workers.){kind=link}