Note: This article originally appeared in Compass Media’s 2026 Careers Guide.
A variety of scholarships are offered through the Cayman Islands government and private sector, opening doors to young Caymanians seeking higher education.
As well as easing the burden of student loans, scholarships can help cover the cost of tuition, books, room and board, and living expenses. Some scholarships also include internships, mentoring and summer employment programmes.
Below is a sample of scholarships on offer.
Visit the websites for full details on the application process, qualifying criteria, application deadlines and to apply online.
Appleby
The Liesl Richter Legal Scholarship provides funding for a law degree and subsequent qualifying courses/ examinations at Truman Bodden Law School, or an approved overseas university. Worth more than US$100,000, the scholarship covers tuition, examination fees and textbook costs. Recipients are also provided with a living allowance of US$2,400 per month and four weeks of work experience each summer in one of the firm’s practice groups: corporate, dispute resolution, private and client trusts, and real estate.
w: applebyglobal.com/scholarships-bursaries-internships
Bedell Cristin
Bedell Cristin offer scholarships and articled clerkships for Caymanians. The scholarship programme provides funding for Caymanians pursuing undergraduate or postgraduate
legal studies to become a qualified attorney. The firm’s articled clerkship programme provides an opportunity to rotate through core practice areas to acquire the core skills necessary to successfully complete articles and be considered for a permanent associate position with the firm.
w: bedellcristin.pinpointhq.com/students
Build Your Future Cayman
Build Your Future Cayman offers scholarships for Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET) for internationally accredited courses offered by Inspire Cayman Training. Scholarship recipients must complete both technical and soft skill training courses, giving them the tools they need to obtain and keep a job.
Butterfield
The Butterfield Undergraduate Scholarship provides financial assistance to a Caymanian undergraduate student between the ages of 17 to 25 with proven academic and leadership skills. The scholarship provides financial assistance of up to US$30,000 per annum, for a maximum of four years.
w: butterfieldgroup.com/careers/scholarships
Campbells
Campbells offers an overseas undergraduate scholarship of up to US$20,000 in both the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands. Applications are accepted for legal and non-legal undergraduate programmes, but preference will be given to legal studies. Successful applicants have the potential to be supported for the duration of their degree programme (three years), with the opportunity for additional support throughout their PPC, LPC (BVC), BPTC or equivalent. Applicants must be Caymanian or status holders to be eligible for the Cayman scholarship and a BVIslander or BVI Belonger for the BVI scholarship.
w: campbellslegal.com/students-and-graduates/scholarships
Carey Olsen
Carey Olsen offers two types of annual scholarship for local or overseas study, available to either undergraduate or postgraduate students. The undergraduate scholarship, up to the value to US$12,000, is available to Caymanian students at undergraduate level who are pursuing or intending to pursue a career in law.
The postgraduate scholarship/articled clerk training program is available to support a Cayman graduate studying for their GDL, LPC or SQE qualifications, up to the value of US$30,000. Recipients will have an opportunity to progress onto Carey Olsen’s Articled Clerk Training Program upon completion of their studies. Applications for both scholarships will open on the 1st December 2026 for the 2027 Student Schemes.
w: careyolsen.com/careers/cayman-scholarships-and-articled-clerk-training-program
Caribbean Marine Marine Ecology Camp
The Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) is offering scholarships to Caymanian students for the summer 2026 session at the Caribbean Marine Ecology Camp (CMEC), made possible through their Ocean Science Scholar programme with generous support from the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation.
Five fully funded scholarships cover all expenses for a week-long, immersive learning experience at CCMI on Little Cayman (government school students only).
Three partially funded scholarships enable participants to pay US$700 for the CMEC week-long camp at CCMI (students attending school in the Cayman Islands).
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through 27 June 2026.
w: reefresearch.org/our-work/education/summer-camps
e: [email protected]
Carol Winker Journalism Scholarship
Compass Media offers a scholarship in honour of late veteran journalist Carol Winker. The annual scholarship of CI$2,500 assists Caymanians interested in journalism – including print, broadcast and digital – as well as those pursuing studies in photography, graphic design or creative writing.
w: caymancompass.com/scholarships
Sadie Seerattan, Thalia Clarke and Raphael Davis-Cordero are the 2024-2025 Government High School Scholars – Photo: Supplied
Cayman Islands Government
The Ministry of Education, through the Education Council, offers an overseas scholarship for an undergraduate degree to a maximum of CI$30,000 per annum, for up to four years, and a post-graduate award of up to CI$35,000 per annum for up to two years for master’s studies and up to three years for doctoral studies.
The ministry also offers an Educational Scholarship which provides a maximum of CI$35,000 per annum for applicants pursuing teaching qualifications. The local application period is 1 March to 30 April, annually. The application period for overseas scholarships is from 15 Nov. to 31 Jan., annually.
The Local Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Grant aims to equip Caymanians with the necessary skills and training to secure employment or advance their careers in the technical or vocational field. Caymanians may receive up to CI$15,000 in funding per year. Applications can be submitted any time of the year; however, decisions will be released every quarter to the applicants.
The ministry also annually awards the Government High Schools Scholar Award, valued at up to CI$100,000 per year. It aims to provide full tuition support to the most outstanding Caymanian scholars accepted to pursue undergraduate studies at prestigious universities overseas.
w: gov.ky/education/scholarships
The Education Council, in collaboration with other entities, also provides scholarships in specialty areas specific to boat building (the Gwen Bush Memorial Overseas Scholarship) and the maritime industry (the Maritime Association of the Cayman Islands scholarship).
w: moescholarships.gov.ky/res/p/documents
Cayman Islands Monetary Authority
CIMA’s Thomas Jefferson Memorial Scholarship offers an award of CI$25,000 per year for students pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, statistics, public administration, or business administration. Recipients are required to work at CIMA during school breaks, and on completion of their studies for a period of up to four years.
Cayman Islands Marketing Professionals Association
CIMPA awards an annual CI$5,000 scholarship to a local student interested in pursuing a career in marketing or related field. Applicants must be enrolled in an educational institution, or an accredited online educational programme. It is open to residents aged 16 to 25, with qualified Caymanians given preference.
w: cimpa.ky
Cayman National
Cayman National established a scholarship in memory of its founder and first president, Peter A. Tomkins, to invest in the next generation of Caymanian business leaders. Applicants should be business- focused, community oriented individuals who are passionate about the development of the Cayman Islands through their talent, skills and work.
w: caymannational.com/about/careers
Chevening Scholarship
Chevening is the UK Government’s international scholarship programme aimed at developing global leaders. Chevening scholarships offer full financial support to relocate to the UK and study any of the 12,000 available master’s degree courses at more than 150 UK universities. Beyond financial support, Chevening provides a platform for extensive networking, cultural immersion, and access to a global alumni network of influential leaders. The process of selecting Chevening scholars takes a minimum of eight months. Visit the website for application dates and selection timeline.
Conyers
Conyers offers a Legal Education Award, which awards up to US$40,000 for the first year of study, renewable for a maximum of three further years. It is offered annually to a Caymanian enrolled in a recognised law degree course leading to a Commonwealth legal qualification.
w: conyers.com/about-us/careers/graduates-students
Dart
Dart offers two scholarships: one is for Caymanian high school students entering Grade 9 (Year 10), that includes all school, book, and uniform fees at the local school of choice, for four years of study; the other is the William A. Dart Memorial University Scholarship, which is awarded to a Caymanian student entering a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited overseas institution, with an annual renewal subject to academic performance. Both scholarships offer paid summer work experience at Dart as well as mentorship opportunities with Dart employees.
Deloitte
Deloitte awards annual scholarships to Caymanian students interested
in accounting and finance. Other disciplines relevant to Deloitte’s service offerings are also considered. Deloitte’s scholarships are valued at up to US$30,000 per academic year for a maximum of five years. Scholarship students gain professional experience through paid summer internships and have an opportunity for full-time positions with Deloitte upon completion of their degree.
w: deloitte.com/cbc/en/careers/ ky-student-experience-hub/deloitte-cayman-islands-scholarship.html
Digicel-UCCI Scholarship
Digicel Cayman and the University College of the Cayman Islands offer a CI$10,000 scholarship that supports Caymanian students pursuing associate or bachelor’s degrees across all disciplines. The scholarship is open to Caymanian students who demonstrate academic promise, leadership potential, and a commitment to community service. The scholarship is designed to cover tuition and related educational expenses for students pursuing studies at UCCI.
Doctors Express-UCCI Scholarship
Doctors Express has partnered with the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) to launch The Doctors Express Healthcare Scholarship for Caymanian students for CI$15,000 per year. The scholarship has been established at UCCI to help qualified Caymanian students access programmes that feed directly into Cayman’s healthcare ecosystem, such as nursing, allied health, science, social work, office administration, and community care pathways.
Government of Canada
The Government of Canada offers the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program. It provides students from post-secondary institutions in eligible Caribbean countries and territories with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research in Canadian post-secondary institutions, at college, undergraduate and graduate levels.
w: educanada.ca/scholarships-bourses/can/institutions/elap-pfla.aspx?lang=eng
EY Scholarship
The Dan Scott Scholarship is valued at up to US$30,000 per year and is renewable for up to a maximum of five years until the recipient has completed the minimum educational requirements to qualify for a professional license. Applicants must be enrolled full-time at an approved college or university, working towards a bachelor’s or master’s degree in accounting, finance, computer science, actuarial science, mathematics, data analytics or other appropriate major with a strong academic record.
w: ey.com/en_us/bbc/the-ey-scholarship
Islands Heritage
The Island Heritage Educational Grant of US$10,000 is awarded annually to a Caymanian student, between the ages of 16 to 25, who is pursuing full-time studies at an accredited college or university. A broad range of degree programmes and majors will be considered. As well as academic excellence, criteria for selection include leadership experience and community service.
w: islandheritageinsurance.com/educationalgrant
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa awards scholarships to Caymanians between the ages of 16 and 20 who are interested in pursuing a career in hospitality. It awards two scholarships of up to US$25,000 per academic year.
Candidates must have been accepted as a full-time student at an accredited programme in a field related to the hospitality industry.
w: seafireresortandspa.com/hotel-scholarship-program
KPMG
KPMG offers scholarships to qualified Caymanian students who have attained strong academic achievement and wish to complete an undergraduate degree, locally
or overseas. Students should have an interest in pursuing a career in accounting, finance, tax or actuarial science in the Cayman Islands. KPMG provides financial assistance to attend university locally, and up to US$30,000 per academic year for a maximum of five years for overseas studies.
The Novelette A. Ebanks Inspirational Scholarship provides financial assistance of up to US$50,000 per year, for a maximum of five years.
The Michael Austin Scholarship will offer up to US$50,000 per year, in addition to an airfare stipend for the maximum duration of five years. This is intended to be used towards standard tuition, textbooks, room and board as needed.
w: kpmg.com/ky
Maples Group
Maples Group offers both legal and non-legal scholarships to outstanding Caymanian students who can establish a need for financial assistance. Legal scholarships are awarded up to US$40,000 per academic year; and non-legal up to US$15,000 per academic year.
w: maples.com/careers/students-and-graduates/scholarships
Ministry of Tourism Scholarship
The Ministry of Tourism offers scholarships to Caymanians interested in pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in tourism or a tourism-related discipline. It offers a scholarship of CI$30,000 per year, for a maximum of four years. Contact the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism at 949-0623 or by email at [email protected].
w: ourcayman.ky
Mourant
The Chantal Whittaker Memorial Scholarship provides financial assistance towards the cost of study for Caymanian students who intend to qualify, or who are appropriately qualified and have been accepted into an accredited institution to pursue a career in law. It also provides paid summer work experience, mentoring and the opportunity of a training contract with Mourant upon completion of studies.
w: mourant.com/career/cayman-islands-chantal-whittaker-memorial-scholarship.aspx
Nova
Nova offers a CI$3,000 educational grant to support awardees through their education or professional qualification. The grant is open to any course of study that will allow applicants to pursue a career in Cayman. Closing date for applications is 15 May, annually.
Ogier
Ogier offers scholarships to Caymanian students interested in pursuing a career in law. The scholarship is for the duration of an individual’s degree and, depending on performance, may also cover LPC/ BPTC/PPC/SQE studies. Students are usually considered for the scholarship after successful completion of a four- week internship in the Ogier Cayman office. The scholarship is conditional upon achieving admission into the Cayman Islands Law School (or UK equivalent).
w: careers.ogier.com/student-opportunities-cayman-islands
Peter N. Thompson Family Foundation-UCCI Scholarship
The Peter N. Thomson Family Foundation – UCCI Scholarship offers various scholarships designed to recruit and support students who are driven to improve the Cayman Islands in a variety of areas including liberal arts, social sciences and/or the sciences. Each scholar will receive up to CI$2,500 in financial aid renewable each year to cover tuition, fees, books and supplies to pursue an associate degree or a four-year bachelor’s degree.
Polar Bear Air Conditioning
Polar Bear Air Conditioning, in partnership with the University College of the Cayman Islands, provides a scholarship of CI$2,000 annually to students pursuing technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in air conditioning and refrigeration.
PWC
PwC’s Career Development Programme offers scholarships for Caymanians currently pursuing or graduating with a degree in accounting (or similar major) interested in earning a professional designation and a career in audit, tax or advisory. PwC’s CDP Scholarship includes funding, coaching, networking and paid work experience. On-island studies are supported with awards up to US$10,000 per annum and overseas studies up to US$50,000 per annum.
w: pwc.com/ky/en/careers/students-scholarships/explore-opportunities/scholarship.html
Quallent Pharmaceuticals Health
The Quallent Catalyst Scholarship is awarded to Caymanian students pursuing an undergraduate degree in business administration, finance, pharmaceutical science or supply chain management, locally or overseas. The recipient receives up to US$30,000 per annum for the duration of their studies.
For details, email: [email protected].
w: quallentpharmaceuticals.com
Rawlinson & Hunter
The Rawlinson & Hunter scholarship programme offers funding of up to US$30,000 per annum, locally or overseas, for up to four years to Caymanians between the ages of 17 to 25 seeking to pursue a career in finance. Acceptance from an accredited university is required.
w: cayman.rawlinson-hunter.com/students-graduates
SteppingStones
SteppingStones’s CI$5,000 education grant can be used towards a bachelor’s degree within HR, finance, IT or business. It is awarded to a Caymanian student between the ages of 18 to 25, who has shown academic achievement, community leadership and is aligned with the company’s core values. Applicants must have a letter of acceptance from an accredited university and/or college, locally or overseas.
w: steppingstonesrecruitment.com/about-us/education-grant
The Insurance Managers Association of Cayman
IMAC’s scholarship fund provides financial assistance to cover tuition and living expenses for a first degree for a maximum of four years to Caymanian students. Applicants are free to study any discipline at an accredited university, although applicants for insurance, risk management and other business-related courses will be given preference.
w: imac.ky/imac-scholarship-fund
Walkers
Walkers Legal Scholarship awards Caymanians who have been accepted to, or are enrolled in, a qualifying UK law degree programme. Successful applicants are granted scholarships for law degrees, post-graduate conversion courses and post-graduate qualifying examinations.
w: walkersglobal.com/en/Join-Us/Training-Programme/Cayman-Legal-Scholarship
Water Authority
The Water Authority offers an annual scholarship of up to CI$40,000 for students wishing to pursue higher education or a vocational degree in a field of study relevant to the
organisation’s work. The Water Authority offers a wide range of career opportunities in such
areas as operations, engineering, management, customer service and human resources.
w: waterauthority.ky/scholarships-how-to-apply
Young Environmentalist Leadership Course
CCMI’s Young Environmentalist Leadership Course (YELC) provides an opportunity for local students ages 16-20 to carve their pathway into the water sports industry and marine sciences. YELC participants complete PADI Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and Rescue Diver certifications in Grand Cayman with Divetech, and attend a one-week experience with CCMI’s education and research staff at the Little Cayman Research Centre in August.
Annually, there are fully funded scholarships for up to 10 Caymanians/ those with qualifying residential status. Application deadline is 25 April. Dive training takes place 23 May to 7 Aug., and the residential experience at CCMI runs 10-17 Aug.
w: reefresearch.org/yelc
e: [email protected]
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