Antigua and Barbuda’s Community First Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. (CFCCU) has launched a transformative new scholarship initiative to support its members as they work toward completing their undergraduate degrees. Named the Ruth O. Limerick Scholarship Fund, the program marks the latest extension of the financial cooperative’s decades-long dedication to advancing local education.
Three eligible final-year bachelor’s students will be selected to receive the one-time grant of 6,000 Eastern Caribbean dollars each, funding earmarked specifically to offset tuition fees, textbooks, housing, and other study-related costs that often create barriers for students nearing graduation.
Rooted in the credit union’s origins, the scholarship holds special institutional meaning. “As a Credit Union started by teachers, education is very important to us,” the organization emphasized in its official announcement. This founding identity has shaped CFCCU’s community-focused priorities, with educational access emerging as a core pillar of its public commitment.
To qualify for the 2025 award, applicants must meet a clear set of eligibility requirements. Candidates must be legal citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, hold active membership with CFCCU, and be enrolled in their final year of an accredited bachelor’s degree program at a recognized institution. Applications for study outside the Caribbean region will only be approved if the desired degree program is not offered at any local or regional accredited university.
The selection process will evaluate candidates across multiple metrics to ensure awards go to students who demonstrate both need and merit. Reviewers will assess each applicant’s past academic performance, demonstrated financial need, clearly outlined educational and long-term career goals, personal character, and record of engagement in extracurricular or community service activities.
Interested eligible students have until Friday, June 12, to submit their complete applications for consideration. CFCCU’s initiative represents a meaningful investment in the next generation of Antigua and Barbuda’s professionals, addressing the financial gaps that too often force promising students to interrupt their academic journeys.