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Lyford Cay International School’s Financial Aid Program makes Education a Reality for Bahamian Students
By Lyford Cay International School
Apr 17, 2014 - 11:45:12 AM

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Learning in a diverse community is not an educational fad: it is an educational imperative. Collaborating with peers of different cultural backgrounds not only enriches the schooling experience, but it also provides a modern day requirement in the form of awareness of other cultures, perspectives, and experiences. At Lyford Cay International School (LCIS), a robust financial aid program helps ensure cultural and economic diversity and makes LCIS a reality for a greater number of qualified Bahamian students.

The Scholarship Fund at LCIS was institutionalized in 2002. Prior to that, many Bahamian families received financial aid in a less formal manner. “LCIS families have always generously supported financial aid, in an official capacity or otherwise,” explained Principal Stacy Bobo. “In 2002 we decided to set up a program that was managed by a specific set of policies and guidelines,” she added. Since the inception of the financial aid program more than 3 million dollars has been raised. The school has a one million dollar endowment, which is generously managed by the Lyford Cay Foundation. Interest earned each year on the endowment is added to donations to the Scholarship Fund, and those funds are distributed as financial aid to qualified Bahamian families.

The percentage of tuition paid by financial aid ranges from 5%-55%, and since 2008, an annual average of just over $7600 has been awarded to each qualified Bahamian student. Distributing on average more than $218,000, the program supports approximately 29 students yearly and, since 2002, has helped 51 different families and 76 individual students over a range of 2-13 years of their schooling. “This financial help, has enabled students to engage in their passions, beliefs and matriculate to some of the best universities in the world,” said Ms. Bobo.

To ensure that there is always money to be distributed, LCIS raises money for financial aid over a year in advance of the time it will be needed. At the school’s recent Annual Gala Dinner and Auction, more than $312,000 was raised to secure financial aid for the 2015-16 school year. The tremendous support of the Scholarship Fund was thanks, in part, to a moving speech given by LCIS Head Girl, Davina Adderley, a recipient of

financial aid through both the LCIS Scholarship Fund and a private donor. She spoke on behalf of all students benefitting from financial aid and impressed the importance of having an opportunity to attend LCIS, which made all the difference in her life after the sudden loss of her father.

“Family and education were his top priorities for his children,” Davina said of her father. “With that value instilled in me, I realised that the only way to achieve my dreams was through education. So one year after my father’s death, I applied to Lyford Cay International School,” Davina shared. “I am forever grateful to every family and individual who has enabled and encouraged me to take advantage of this opportunity, to dream big and to make every moment count.”

  During her time at LCIS, Davina travelled to Boston and Montreal for the Model United Nations, participated in numerous community service projects, achieved the silver Governor General's Youth Award, engaged in the Interact Club, and took advantage of amazing sporting opportunities and state of the art technology at LCIS. She stated, “As a passionate learner, I have been engaged in a challenging and student-centered curriculum known as the IB. I never felt too far away from home thanks to the wonderful student-teacher relationships and welcoming school environment. I felt most appreciated after being elected Head Girl by the students and teachers,” she added. “Thanks to LCIS, I am not only qualified, but I’m prepared to attend some of the most prestigious universities in the world. And tonight, I can proudly announce that I have received a scholarship, valued at a quarter of a million dollars, to attend the University of Richmond!”

  Davina also offered a special word of thanks to the staff of LCIS who supported the Scholarship Fund with 100% participation, raising more than $11,500. “Thank you! “ she said, “Your 100% participation demonstrates your unwavering passion and commitment to Bahamian students. I am proud to be part of the LCIS family.”

  Davina’s grateful words were echoed in a recent letter to LCIS by a past recipient of financial aid; Janice Maura. Mrs. Maura wrote, “My daughter’s continuing education would not have been possible without her success as an IB student at LCIS. Her life has been touched by so many at LCIS, and this scholarship gift encouraged her to be the best student she could be. By choosing to give a scholarship gift, you became a partner in her life and future life as she continues to work to fulfill her academic aspirations.”

  LCIS accepts financial aid applications from Bahamian families whose personal and family resources are insufficient to meet the cost of full tuition. Students that are offered financial aid are expected to be in good academic standing at all times. All applications for financial aid are confidential and name blind and all are reviewed annually. “We want everyone to know that financial aid is available,” Ms Bobo stated. “A great education is expensive,” she added. “But, at LCIS, there is help available.”


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