As registration begins at Bermuda College, the school is preparing itself for its biggest class ever — with over 700 new applicants already — thanks in large part to the new free tuition scheme.

Free tuition will help many finance their way through school but the offer is not available to everyone. While new students will receive free tuition as long as they are Bermudian, lack a Bachelor's degree and are enrolled in approved courses, returning students must have earned a 2.0 grade point average in their previous semester to be eligible.

"It's not just being Bermudian and wanting to go to college," said recruitment officer Cha'Von Clarke. "Free tuition is free tuition. You are still required to pay the incidental fees."

While tuition makes up the bulk of the college expenses, it is far from the only cost. Incidental fees run up to $450 for full time students and the cost of books, supplies and other fees will bring up the total bill for a semester even more.

"I remember having to pay $200 for a psychology text," said Ms Clarke. Even with the fees, Bermuda College is looking forward to its biggest year, with applications already up by over 75 percent.

"People are valuing their education more and more," said Ms Clarke. To ensure that classes remain small and manageable, the college is preparing to open up their courses to more students by offering additional sections.

"Instead of putting on one section of a course, we might put on three sections," said director of communications Evelyn James-Barnett. "It's not a problem."

Despite the additional class times, some classes are already filling up. "In order to guarantee course selection, you need to sign in as soon as possible, maths and English courses especially," said Mrs. James-Barnett.

The College is also working on spreading its campus further into the virtual world as well, offering ten courses online.

"That was a pilot programme that's really taken off," said Mrs. James-Barnett. "Basically, if you have a computer, if you have the internet, you can come to class."

In two years, the college has gone from having four online courses to offering ten. "It's nice to be able to sit at home and take your classes," said Ms Clarke.

Mrs. James-Barnett doesn't view the College as a last step for every student but as a first step to colleges and universities overseas. "By coming to Bermuda College first and learning slowly to let go of the apron strings, our students are better prepared," she said.

Students who have already pre-registered can go online to complete registration, but anyone else interested in taking courses will have to go to the campus and register in person, with registration closing on August 20.

"I'd like to encourage students to come in and register as soon as possible. I would hate for them to come in at the 11th hour and leave disappointed," said Ms Clarke.