Grateful students were last night applauded as Education Minister Nalton Brangman gave out this year’s Bermuda Government scholarships and awards.The 2013 scholars are Rachel Ball, Jesse Marshall, John Russell and Xiaoyu (Yuki) Sun.For proud mother Marilyn Ball, appearing on behalf of Rachel who is already at Columbus State University, the assistance couldn’t have come soon enough.Her other daughter Reia also received a further education award from Government.“Recently my position at work became redundant,” Mrs Ball said. “Without financing, it would have been extremely difficult to support them. The scholarship has made it possible.”Rachel, 22, from Hamilton Parish, attended Bermuda High School and is now a premedical student hoping to become an orthopaedic trauma surgeon.Jesse, 19, currently in his second year at the University of Southampton for a degree in Natural Sciences, told The Royal Gazette the scholarship would allow him to concentrate “totally and utterly on my studies”.“I have a lot of important things to do in volunteering and sport, and this frees me up from the time I would have had to spend working,” the former Saltus and Eaton student said.Former Somersfield student John, 17, said the scholarship allowed him to pursue the degree he’d always wanted.In September, he starts a Mechanical Engineering degree at the University of Exeter.“It’s tough, so this will take a lot of work off me,” he said. “I want to come back to Bermuda and work after my Masters, and help to be the next generation of change here.”Yuki, 18, just graduated from Saltus with honours as an Advanced Placement Scholar.The Paget student said: “This allows me to pursue a career in Actuarial Science. It’s a relief, financially and emotionally, to me and to my parents, and we’re all very grateful for it.”She will attends Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland.Mr Brangman told the gathering: “Each spring, the Scholarship Committee sifts through hundreds of applications from persons seeking the recognition of being a Bermuda Government Scholar, and from those seeking financial assistance with their continued education.“While we would love to be able to assist every applicant, the reality is that we have finite financial resources, particularly in the present climate, and hence our assistance is limited. However, in spite of our budgetary constraints, in the upcoming academic year, we will be funding a total of 61 students.”Recent amendments to legislation imposed a $35,000 cap on the Government scholarship — but extends its range from three to four years, and from students aged 17 to 23 to a new bracket of 16 to 25 years.Hailing scholarship recipients as “future leaders”, Mr Brangman added: “Each of you represents an investment for this Government. We understand that the important studies that you will undertake over the next few years will serve this community well upon your return home.”In addition to the four new recipients, scholarships were extended for 2010 recipients Ellen Amaral and Stefan Holdipp.