Dreams of going to college and earning a degree remain just that for many academically capable students in Bermuda each year because they simply cannot afford to pay the exorbitant fees.

But there is hope, thanks to a local charity, Knowledge Quest.

About five years ago a small group of friends decided to help empower Bermuda’s financially challenged students by providing the necessary funding — with the help of local investors.

Charity president Cynthia Cox says they believe promoting further education for Bermudians of limited financial means is a wonderful contribution to Bermuda, as well as a worthy endeavour and objective.

But, she’s quick to add that they never dreamt they would find so many bright and capable youngsters in need of financial aid, which is why they applied for and received charitable status three years ago in an attempt to expand their financial base.

While student profiles vary, the typical student offered a scholarship by Knowledge Quest has completed a two-year course at Bermuda College, earning mostly B grades. “So they’re not eligible for many scholarships,” Mrs. Cox adds.

She believes many students helped by Knowledge Quest also end up working up to 20 hours a week in jobs to help contribute financially towards their families’ expenses. “The workload encroaches upon study time, so straight As are elusive and because paycheques are used for room, board and tuition, savings for further studies are inadequate,” she said.

Another goal of Knowledge Quest is to attract important investors so they can continue to make a difference to many deserving youngsters and has both a short- and long-term goal.

“Our short-term goal has always been to help financially-challenged Bermudians earn respected degrees abroad, while our long-term goal is to increase the number of qualified adults entering the workforce,” Mrs. Cox concedes.

Knowledge Quest is currently helping 18 Bermudian students, aged 19 to 47, to earn their university degrees in the US, Canada, England and Scotland and the charity has helped 30 students over the last four years — which adds up to nearly $500,000 in scholarships which have been awarded.

Fields of study range from business administration to architecture to environmental studies.

“We screen students to determine whether they are unable to pay for studies abroad and they must have applied for at least five other scholarships, since Knowledge Quest is meant to be a scholarship of last resort,” she cautions.

She adds that most of the students work with a donor, who also acts as a mentor and these mentors tend to contact their students throughout the year: “They listen, provide academic and other advice and assist with job placement, if possible and we also work closely with the Bermuda College for candidate recommendations.

“We did this because those with one or two-year Bermuda College degrees had already demonstrated their ability and drive and therefore tend to have a strong chance of success.”

Because these students are able to transfer credits to their university, Mrs. Cox explains the charity’s overall financial commitment is reduced, thereby enabling them to help more students.

Knowledge Quest incurs no overhead expenses, except for bank charges, as all funding is sent directly to the universities.

For more information go to www.knowledgequest.bm.