AIM Higher Filling a Necessary Gap – Education State Minister

State Minister for Education, Youth and Information, Hon. Floyd Green, has hailed the AIM Higher Foundation for assisting bright students who are financially challenged to access higher education.

He said that while the Government invests billions of dollars in education each year, more support is needed to enable students to successfully make the transition from secondary to tertiary studies.

“You are filling a necessary gap,” he said at the official launch of the entity on Wednesday (May 2) at the St. Andrew High School.

“This Foundation is important in ensuring that… those children that go to secondary school and work hard and have difficulty financing their tertiary studies, that there are different entities that they can turn to, to fulfil their dreams,” he added.

AIM Higher Foundation seeks to identify and connect promising low-income students with the resources necessary to access tertiary education.

It links scholars with universities, non-governmental organisations (NGO), government agencies, corporations, college counselling professionals and individuals who can provide academic support, leadership development, community service, internship opportunities as well as ongoing mentorship.

Mr. Reid commended the Foundation and called for more “well-thinking Jamaicans” to come forward to help young people realise their educational aspirations.

He further urged the Foundation to “take the AIM higher on the road and set up workshops in rural areas where (students) have the intellect but not the means. Our rural youth need access to these services”.

Founder of AIM Higher Foundation, Nicole McLaren Campbell, noted that there are many opportunities for students to benefit from scholarships, internship and mentorship programmes and “the purpose of the Foundation is to be that connector”.

“We would like to connect students with individuals, with foundations, with corporations, governments and NGOs that can help them to access these opportunities not only for preparation for college but also… leadership development,” she said.

“The Foundation is here to bridge that gap and make the connection between the organisations and individuals who want to help and the students who need (assistance),” she added.

AIM Higher Foundation has helped students to access over $100 million in scholarships to matriculate to university since its establishment in 2016.

This year, the Foundation is working with students headed to the University of the West Indies (UWI) (Mona Medical School) and Lafayette College in the United States of America.