The JPSS Graduate
Scholarship Program
From JPSS to University. The Journey Continues.
Each year, students at John Paul Secondary School earn the exam results they need to pursue a university education — but for the vast majority, the cost of that education is out of reach. The JPSS Graduate Scholarship Program connects these students with sponsors who make the next step possible.
2024
Program founded
12
Students currently in the program
100%
OF SCHOLARS PAYING IT BACK THROUGH SERVICE TO JPSS
When a JPSS student completes their A-level exams, they know which university programs they qualify for. What they often don’t know is how they will pay for it. The Pallisa District, where our students come from, is one of Uganda’s most underserved regions. Families who have sacrificed to keep a child in school through secondary education rarely have the resources to fund a university degree.
This program changes that. Through a structured sponsorship model, donors fund the full cost of a student’s university education — tuition, fees, and a laptop — over the course of their degree. Students are selected based on financial need, academic aptitude, and the potential impact of their education on their community. Each sponsor is matched to a student and supported throughout the journey.
How the Program Works
Student Applications — May & June
JPSS graduates apply to their university program of choice and simultaneously apply to the scholarship program, submitting their exam results, university application, and tuition documentation.
Sponsor Matching — May & June
Friends of John Paul School reaches out to potential sponsors. Sponsors may indicate preferences for field of study, and these are taken into account during selection. Sponsors commit and submit payment by July 31st so funds are available before universities begin in August.
Selection — July
A JPSS selection committee reviews applicants and ranks them based on financial need, teacher assessments of aptitude, and potential benefit to the school and local community. Selected students are matched to sponsors and sign a formal three-way agreement with the student, their guardian, and JPSS administration.
Ongoing Connection & Mentoring
Each sponsored student completes a profile and photo that is shared with their sponsor. Students and sponsors can communicate through a central FOJPS email. A dedicated program mentor — herself a JPSS graduate and university alumna — visits students at their universities each semester, checks in on their progress, and provides guidance throughout their degree. Sponsors receive a year-end assessment from their student annually.
Paying It Forward
Students return to JPSS during university breaks to contribute to the school community. Upon graduation, they meet with program leadership to plan how they will give back to the school and the Pallisa District — carrying the spirit of the scholarship into their careers.
Sponsorship Options
Sponsors choose a sponsorship level based on their student’s degree length. Funding covers full tuition and functional fees for the student’s complete university education, plus a laptop required by most Ugandan universities. Living expenses remain the responsibility of the student and their family.
| Degree length | Fields of study | Full sponsorship |
|---|---|---|
| 3 years | Business Management, Computer Science, Teaching, Tourism, Urban Planning | $5,000 |
| 4 years | Agriculture, Engineering, Food Science, Journalism & Communication, Law | $8,000 |
| 5 years | Medicine, Surgery, Veterinary Science, Advanced Engineering | $10,000 |
All funding is held in a dedicated account and disbursed at the time each semester payment is due. If donated funds exceed a student’s tuition costs, the remainder is applied to the general scholarship fund for unsponsored candidates.
Program Mentoring
Every student in the program is supported by a dedicated mentor — a former JPSS student and university graduate who understands exactly what these young men and women are navigating. She meets with all sponsored students before they leave for their first semester, visits them at their universities each semester, and is available throughout their degree for guidance and support. Her assessments are shared with both program administration and sponsors.
Ready to Sponsor a Student?
Sponsorships for the upcoming academic year open each spring. If you are interested in sponsoring a student — or would like to learn more before committing — please reach out. We will walk you through the process, share the student profiles available for matching, and answer any questions you have.
Sponsor a JPSS Graduate
Contact us to express your interest or ask questions about the program. Sponsorships for the current cycle close at the end of June.
Email us at info@johnpaulschool.com · www.johnpaulschool.com