Scholarship Program
Each year, the Sister Islands Association gives one student from each graduating class on Ometepe a scholarship good for all five years required to obtain most degrees in Nicaragua. If the student is studying medicine, the scholarship covers the required six years.
These scholarships are funded by Bainbridge families, high-school student delegates, and elementary school students who make and sell calendars (OK, this one is mine, because it reads better in my mind). In return, the recipients send regular updates and even their grades to the scholarship sponsors. Lifelong friendships can result.
Job, a Scholarship student studying English meets with Paul, a longtime BOSIA board member and Dora, the BOSIA office manager.
How the Program Developed
The Bainbridge-Ometepe Scholarship Program began in 1990 in response to a request from faculty at Instituto Ladislau Chwalbinski, the high school in Altagracia, Ometepe. At that time, it was nearly impossible for a high school graduate from Ometepe to study at a university.
Together, we have developed a scholarship program that depends on teamwork among five groups. Each Ometepe high school has a committee that selects students based on academic performance, economic need, and community spirit. The committees collect grades, receipts, and documentation from the students receiving scholarships, and monitor their progress. Parents and guardians attend meetings and support their students. Our Nicaraguan scholarship representative on Ometepe trains committees, collects information from the local committees, meets with students, and sends receipts, grades, letters, and information about students’ progress to the committee on Bainbridge. Our committee recruits sponsors here, meets with committees and students on Ometepe annually, coordinates with the representative on Ometepe, and communicates with sponsors. Sponsors make the program possible by funding scholarships.
200+ College Graduates
There are nine high schools on Ometepe, and in 2025 we awarded scholarships to 19 graduating seniors. Sixteen scholarship students graduated in 2025, bringing the total number of university graduates over the course of the scholarship program to 262. Many of the graduates return to Ometepe to work in their community. Graduates currently work in the areas of obstetrics, accounting, psychology, tourism, teaching, graphic design, dentistry, internal medicine, and public utilities.
Several years ago a very generous donor established the Robert Drew Scholarship Fund. The Drew Fund also helps students cover the high cost of graduation seminars and research projects that are required to receive a diploma once regular course work has been completed.
Support a Student
A full scholarship is $1200 a year. Your entire donation goes directly to a student. Any donation amount is appreciated. We welcome one time donations, or an ongoing yearly commitment of any amount. Every dollar makes a huge difference.
We need more sponsors. For more information, please contact the head of our scholarship committee using this form.
Accomplishments
Former scholarship student Karla Varela, left, is a psychologist on Ometepe. She worked with our organization to survey the island’s special needs community.
In January 2009, Scholarship Committee member Katy Childers conducted a comprehensive program evaluation as part of her graduate school studies. She found that the former scholarship students are making big impacts in their communities. Although some graduates remain in Managua for jobs or because their spouse is in the city, about 60 percent have returned to Ometepe. Among the positions they hold:
- High school teachers
- Municipal Director for the Ministry of Health
- Doctor
- Psychologist, private practice and with at-risk youth
- Obstetric nurse
- Anesthesiologist
- Workshop Coordinator, Ometepe Island Civil Organization Network
- Scholarship Program Coordinator for the Sister Islands Association
- Catastrophe Manager, Altagracia Mayor’s Office
- Executive Director, Tourism Commission of Ometepe
- Cashier, microfinance organization
Not only are scholarship students working to improve their communities, but many also volunteer their time on projects, and report back to their communities on their progress.
When Lynn Oliver and Sam Sharar visited Ometepe on a Health Delegation, they were excited to meet their scholarship student.
How Can You Help? Sponsor a Student!
Anyone familiar with college costs in the United States is likely to be astonished at what it costs for a college education at a public university in Nicaragua. Just $1,200 a year fully funds one of our scholarships. Some Bainbridge families team up and jointly sponsor a scholarship.
If you are interested in learning more about becoming a scholarship sponsor, please contact the head of the scholarship committee using this form.