A Bermudian medical student might not be able to complete her studies, after being hindered by a combination of regional grading quirks and cutbacks in Government’s scholarships programme.

Aspiring doctor Kiandra Simons, a valedictorian student at the Berkeley Institute when she graduated in 2009, opted to study medicine at the University of the West Indies (UWI) campus in Trinidad and Tobago.

“I always wanted to go to UWI — that was my main choice,” the 23-year-old Devonshire student said.

Now facing her fourth year out of five, Kiandra is set on obtaining her Bachelor of Medicine / Bachelor of Surgery at the university’s St Augustine campus, where she’s studied since 2011.

“I was thinking of becoming a GP, pursuing general surgery or specialising in emergency medicine — I really enjoyed my surgery,” she said.

Asked if she planned to return to the Island once qualified, Kiandra replied: “Of course.”

The family have depended on scholarships to finance her studies, starting with a private fund through the Heritage Scholarship Trust that was exhausted after her first year at UWI.

Previously, Kiandra had relied on her grades to qualify for scholarships: a Dean’s List student at Bermuda College, where she obtained her associates degree, she qualified for a science scholarship.

Mother Kim Simons explained that Bermuda Government scholarships were able to put her through the second year in Trinidad, to the tune of $20,000.

“For the third year, we got $10,000 from Government — half of what we needed, so I went into my pension,” Ms Simons said. “I know it’s partly to do with the economic climate.”

Government scholarships were cut from $1.3 million to $1 million in the latest Budget, although a Government-backed loan scheme for students could be introduced.

Added Ms Simons: “But the trouble has been with the way the Trinidad UWI sets its grades. It’s completely different. In fact, when I called to follow up on our latest request, I heard a comment that her grades were poor — even though they actually weren’t. There were a lot of cuts this year and a lot of people applied. She wasn’t successful.”

And, because Kiandra’s studies have entered the clinical phase, she didn’t get the summer off to work to raise money on her own.

She has failed none of her classes, she said, but the peculiarities of the Trinidad UWI grading system have caused her grades to appear weaker than they actually are.

Kiandra is due to travel back to the Caribbean next Thursday and may appeal to the Bermuda Medical Students’ Society for advice.

The family have requested for anyone aware of potential resources to contact them at kamsimons@yahoo.com, or 599-2344.