KINGSTON, Jamaica — In response to growing financial pressures on students, the Aston Preston Hall Committee at The University of the West Indies, Mona has established the Preston Scholarship Fund—a student-driven initiative designed to prevent housing insecurity among residents. This program launches as part of the committee’s 30th-anniversary celebrations and aims to provide critical financial support to students at risk of discontinuing their studies due to mounting residence fees.
The fund has set an initial target of JA $500,000, which will directly assist at least 10 students with grants of JA $50,000 each toward accommodation costs for the next academic year. University officials and student leaders have observed that escalating living expenses are increasingly undermining academic persistence, even among high-achieving students.
Dejanae Fagan, External Affairs Chairwoman, emphasized the collective spirit behind the effort: ‘This initiative reflects our committee’s motto: Creating Ripple Effects. Even modest contributions can accumulate into meaningful change—each donation reinforces our community and preserves the legacy of Preston Hall.’
Echoing these concerns, Deputy Hall Chairman Shawn Palmer noted, ‘It’s incredibly challenging to excel academically when faced with the threat of eviction over unpaid fees.’
The committee is calling upon Preston Hall alumni, corporate sponsors, and community partners to contribute. Donations can be made via the NCB account under the name ‘UWI General AC’ at the UWI Mona branch. Contributors are asked to label transactions as ‘Preston Scholarship Fund’ and email proof of payment to eac.azph@gmail.com.