A desperate student who dreams of becoming a surgeon has received offers of assistance after issuing a public plea for help in paying her tuition fees.As The Royal Gazette reported last week, Annefa Burke, who grew up in Bermuda and has a Permanent Residency Certificate, faces being kicked off her university course in England.The 22-year-old told this newspaper she is at her “wits end” as she is already holding down two jobs but does not have enough money to pay this year’s tuition fees for her biomedical science programme at the University of Brighton.Ms Burke dreams of becoming a general surgeon in order to “become a better person for Bermuda”.Following the publicity about her plight, Miss Burke said she received several e-mails offering assistance.“I have had some offers to help with some donations from the public for which I am very grateful. I’m not sure of the amount yet,” she said.“Anything at this point will really help me and I am so thankful to those that are concerned enough to help or offer advice. I feel very blessed and I’d like to thank The Royal Gazette for reporting it as I am sure I am not the only one going through this problem.“Some of us try to come back to work for the summer, but it is not possible given the state of the economy, that’s why I am here (in England) working over the summer to continue to help with my educational expenses.”Miss Burke said she did not qualify for scholarships to pay her fees as she only got her PRC status recently.The Royal Gazette has heard from several other students who echoed her concerns over struggling financially.Asked for advice, a Ministry of Education spokeswoman said: “The Ministry of Education certainly does recognise, and is very sensitive to the challenges that individuals are having due to the economy.“However, the terms of government scholarships, loans and awards are clearly set out in legislation and policy. As a result, we are not in a position to provide funding outside of that criteria.“We are hopeful that those persons have put forward applications for the upcoming year. As a further note, any persons who have questions regarding government scholarships, awards and grants can contact the Ministry of Education and ask to speak to Darlene Hartley, who is the Board of Education liaison.”l Anyone who wishes to help Ms Burke can contact her on agburkie@gmail.com.