Budding students can apply for funding of up to $35,000 to help cover the costs of their learning.

Diallo Rabain, the education minister, announced today that a number of scholarship options will help people of all ages and backgrounds.

They included money for books, incentives for teachers in training and second chances for adults to follow college or university studies.

Mr Rabain said: “The Ministry of Education has been intent on introducing new scholarships and making them more accessible to students.

“We have continued to expand opportunities for postsecondary education and training to help support Bermudians of all ages and various backgrounds and career interests.

“Through these investments, we are demonstrating that we value promise, growth and achievement.

“The ministry will continue to provide scholarships and awards for public school students, students with disabilities, those studying technical education, mature students as well as top scholars from public schools, private schools and Bermuda College.”

The minister said the committee received 301 applications in 2018, which was about double the number for the previous year, and resulted in a total of 50 awards and scholarships.

A Non-Traditional Student Award has replaced the mature student award to help people aged 25 and older “who need a first or second chance to attend college or university”.

This was previously open only to people aged at least 35 and it has been expanded to include applications for online study at accredited institutions.

Minister’s Bermuda College Book Awards help students in financial need to buy books and a Minister’s Exceptional Student Award is for graduating students, school leavers or people with disabilities up to the age of 25.

Further Education Awards of up to $10,000 are offered for students with at least a year of college or university credits who are pursuing overseas postsecondary study.

The Minister’s Achievement Scholarship is for graduating public school students and offers $25,000 for postsecondary study abroad.

Graduating senior school students, as well as college and university students, can apply for Bermuda Government Scholarships of up to $35,000 for postsecondary tuition and basic accommodation.

Awards of $5,000 are available for graduating dual-enrolment students in Bermuda College’s Applied Technical Programme. They fund the completion of an Associate’s Degree after public school graduation.

A shortage of local teaching candidates in certain areas is addressed with the Teacher Education Scholarship for promising Bachelor of Education students.

Subjects included social studies, geography, English language arts, mathematics, modern foreign languages and special education.

Successful applicants of the $20,000 awards must return to teach in the Bermuda public school system.

A Minister’s Technical and Vocational Award is available for graduating public school students or recent public school alumni attending Bermuda College with a strong interest in technical and vocational studies. More detailed information on scholarships and awards, including eligibility and application requirements are available at www.Bermudascholarships.com. Questions can be sent by e-mail to scholarships@moed.bm.