The government is awarding over 50 first-time scholarships as part of its strong commitment to ensure that every household in Saint Lucia has at least one tertiary academic scholar.
The First-Generation Scholarship Programme at Monroe College is being expanded from 50 to 75 full awards for the 2025/26 academic year.
This program, launched in 2023, is the centerpiece of Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre’s bold vision of “One University Graduate per Household.” This invaluable initiative specifically targets students from families without a university graduate, providing them with the opportunity to achieve academic success for the first time.
In the 2024/25 Budget Address, PM Pierre firmly stated, “The fundamental cure for poverty is not money but knowledge. The Government’s policy of at least one university graduate per household continues through strategic partnerships and robust government funding.”
The First-Generation Full Scholarships are made possible through a dedicated collaboration between the Government of Saint Lucia and Monroe College, with both entities sharing the costs to make this possible. This expansion aligns with the government’s broader strategy to enhance access to tertiary education, which includes the establishment of a new Education Financing Facility at the Saint Lucia Development Bank (SLDB), backed by a US$3.7 million loan from the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
The government guarantees these loans, ensuring that qualified students are not turned away from pursuing their dreams. For the 2025/26 academic year, Saint Lucian students will also receive 44 scholarships from Taiwan, 140 nursing scholarships at the SALCC, and 11 scholarships from Cuba, in addition to various other international awards.
Over the last four years, the government has invested more than $9 million in tertiary bursaries and scholarships, directly benefiting over 1,200 students in their academic journeys.