A scholarship provider has given out a record number of awards in the face of financial hardship brought about by Covid-19.

Knowledge Quest said it decided to increase the number of scholarships and bursaries this academic year as many students were struggling to fund their educations.

The charity, which has been providing education funding since 2002, was able to assist 43 students with their university education this year.

Cynthia Cox, Knowledge Quest’s director, said: “We found that most new candidates and returning students were unable to obtain summer jobs and many parents’ jobs were reduced or gone, which was predominantly related to Covid-19.

“While some may suggest that the students could have taken a gap year, when one is financially constrained, missing a year may mean never returning to college/university and delaying a year could mean never going in the first place.

“Therefore, we took the decision to increase the number of new students awarded bursaries and scholarships as we felt compelled to respond to a situation that is unprecedented in our lifetimes.”

Davon Adams, a 2011 scholarship recipient, is a Trauma-certified ICU nurse in Washington DC who previously worked for King Edward VII Memorial Hospital. He said: “During these unprecedented times in the middle of a pandemic, I am delighted to know that Knowledge Quest is able to and continues to provide support and assistance to students in need.

“Without KQ I wouldn’t have been able to fulfil my dream of becoming a nurse and there would have been one less healthcare worker on the front lines fighting Covid-19.”

Directors Gigi Barit, Kathy Lines, Ricky Lines, Fiona Luck and Ms Cox thanked the donors for “investing in a positive future for Bermuda” and wished the Knowledge Quest students success.

The deadline for applications for a fall 2021 scholarship is April 30, 2021. Students can apply through www.bermudascholarships.com Donations can be made via www.knowledgequest.bm/kqdonation or through GiveBermuda.org which is sponsored by the Bermuda Community Foundation.

For more information, visit www.knowledgequest.bm or e-mail info@knowledgequest.bm