Josephine Malcolm (second right back row), manager of the Nurses Co-operative Credit Union, stands with scholarship and grant winners (back, front left) Melanie Powell , Andre Blake, and Richard Perkins (right, back row), and (from front left) Samantha Grierson, Chadwick Berry and Kenute Samuels, during the handover ceremony for the scholarships and educational grants awarded to children of members of the credit union. The students were awarded based on their performance in the recent Grade Six Achievement Test and their final report at their respective primary schools.The ceremony took place at the Nurses Co-operative Credit Union's Trevennion Park Road offices, on Wednesday. - Junior Dowie / Staff Photographer

Eleven students who were successful in the recent Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) were on Wednesday presented with scholarships and educational grants from the Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ) Co-operative Credit Union.

Scholarships valued at $75,000 were awarded to Melanie Powell, who will be attending Campion College; Samantha Grierson, St. Jago High School; and Jason Chisholm, St. George's College.

Educational grants of $10,000 were awarded to Chadwick Berry, who will be attending St. George's College; André Black, Charlemont High School; Richard Perkins, Wolmer's Boys'; and Kenute Samuels, Meadowbrook High school.

Josephine Malcom, manager of the NAJ Co-op Credit Union, said the students, who are children of members of the credit union, were awarded the scholarships and grants based on their performance in the GSAT exams as well as their final report from their respective primary schools.

"We recognise the importance of education and the importance of giving back to our members' children," Mrs. Malcom told The Gleaner.

Students who were awarded scholarships will receive $15,000 per annum, over a five-year period, towards their educational endeavours. Recipients of grants will get a one-time payment.

The awardees were also presented with 'piggy banks' to encourage saving and, as a bonus, by year-end, the student who has saved the most will receive $3,500 to add to his or her savings.

Melanie told The Gleaner that she was excited to have received the financial assistance from the credit union.

"Hopefully I will continue to do well in high school and I'm ready to take on a new challenge," she said.