James Harris Scholarship Programme

Empowering the Next Generation of Accounting Professionals in the Virgin Islands

The James Harris Scholarship was established in honour of the late Rotarian James J. Harris, an esteemed accountant and dedicated community servant who believed in the transformative power of education. A proud Virgin Islands professional, Mr. Harris left a lasting legacy of integrity, excellence, and commitment to youth development.

Through a collaborative partnership between the Rotary Club of Central Tortola, the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC), and the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, this scholarship programme offers meaningful financial support to aspiring accountants across the Virgin Islands.

About the Scholarship

The James Harris Scholarship supports students pursuing a two-year Associate Degree in Accounting at HLSCC. The programme aims to ease the financial burden of higher education for students with demonstrated financial need, while fostering academic excellence and preparing graduates to become future leaders in the accounting profession.

Award Coverage

BVIslanders, Belongers, or BVI Residents: Eligible for up to 100% of tuition coverage.
Non-Belongers: Eligible for up to 50% of tuition coverage.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the James Harris Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:

Be a BVIslander, Belonger, or Resident who has attended a high school in the BVI for at least three (3) years.

Be at least 16 years old. Applicants under 18 must have written parental/guardian consent.

Possess a high school diploma, GED certificate, or demonstrate basic literacy and numeracy skills through a placement test.

Be an unemployed full-time student or employed part-time student.

Belong to a household with an annual income of less than $50,000 (must be verified with an official job letter).

Application Requirements

Applicants must complete and submit:

A completed scholarship application form (available at HLSCC’s Marine Centre or online).
A brief personal statement (see application for details).
Two personal/character references.
A job letter (or letters) verifying household income.
Written parental/guardian consent (if under 18).

Applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted via email to:

rotarycentraltortola@gmail.com.

Personal Interview

Eligible applicants will be invited to attend a personal interview with the Rotary Club of Central Tortola Scholarship Committee, which will make the final award decisions.

Application Deadline for Fall 2025

The deadline to submit your application is 30 June 2025

Protecting Your Information

The information collected during the application process is used solely to assess eligibility and support services. HLSCC is committed to maintaining confidentiality and ensuring that student records are securely managed in accordance with its educational responsibilities.

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