NIA’s Financial Assistance Programme Helping Hundreds of Nevisians Achieve College Degrees
Training Manager in the NIA Ministry of Human Resources Mrs. Shanola Murrey-Gill, during a scholarship and financial assistance information session with second year students at the Nevis Sixth Form College
NIA CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS – The Nevis Island Administration’s (NIA) Financial Assistance Programme continues to play a key role in helping citizens achieve university degrees, through sustained investment in tertiary education aligned with the country’s national development priorities.
Premier and Minister of Finance and Human Resources, the Honourable Mark Brantley, said the programme is designed to expand access to higher education while building the skilled human capital required across critical sectors.
“Over the past three years, we have supported a total of 131 students in various disciplines at universities and colleges…In anticipation of persons wishing to avail themselves of this opportunity for the upcoming fiscal year, we have allocated funding in our 2026 budget to facilitate financial assistance to our students.”
He also highlighted the increasing importance of accredited online tertiary programmes, which allow individuals to pursue qualifications while remaining employed and maintaining family responsibilities.
“This government is in full support of these online initiatives for educational advancement as they allow persons to advance themselves with very little disruption to their daily activities, being able to remain at home, continue to work and maintain family contacts. We have instituted a policy of granting financial assistance to these persons once their course of study falls within the areas of priority of my government.
“To date, we have supported a total of 58 persons undertaking online studies with accredited universities in our priority areas.”
He further noted strong uptake at the University of the West Indies Open Campus, reporting that 17 students recently graduated with Bachelor of Science degrees in areas including banking and finance, compliance and corporate governance, management studies, accounting, educational leadership, social work, tourism, hospitality management, criminology, and animal science.
The Premier explained that the NIA Cabinet annually approves a list of priority study areas to address vacant and emerging positions within the public service, supported by dedicated budgetary allocations.
The priority areas for the government for the year 2026 include education, health, civil engineering, agriculture, information technology, and data analysis.
The Nevis Island Administration, through the Ministry of Human Resources, is currently accepting applications for financial assistance from persons seeking to pursue higher education. Applications will be assessed based on alignment with government priority areas, national development needs, and the applicant’s anticipated contribution to the country upon completion of studies.
The Financial Assistance Programme underscores the NIA’s commitment to empowering citizens, strengthening the public service, and building a resilient, knowledge-based economy for Nevis.