The Bermuda College offers a huge variety of programmes and partnerships that benefit Bermuda’s students. Mr Lyndon Jackson, acting director of Counselling and Student Activities at the Bermuda College, offered advice on how to best continue your educational career. We asked him about all the options available when it comes to affording higher education.
Why should students consider Bermuda College as the way to continue their academic career?
The obvious one, that being financial, is competitive tuition rates and the generous Financial Aid Grant that seeks to assist those who may not be able to afford full tuition and scholarships based on a student’s performance.
Students pursuing education at Bermuda College will be spared the expense of overseas tuition rates, which can range from $30,000 to $120,000 for two years. In comparison, Bermuda College Associate Degrees can range from $8,756 to $13,550 for two years. But, the real advantage is the fact that students will experience quality instruction, have the opportunity to choose from an impressive range of courses, and have access to a high level of academic and personal support.
Students looking to transition to higher education leave Bermuda College more astute, more informed, and more mature, and this development provides a solid platform for any academic or personal challenges that they may face.
Bermuda College is proud of the support we provide our students to help navigate challenges that impact their ability to progress. The resources at their disposal help equip and educate every student to develop solid habits and engage in thoughtful, purposeful decisions.
What does it mean by scholarships administered are merit-based and to also demonstrate financial need? Does the college consider any extra-curricular work when it comes to scholarships?
The college offers funding support that can be merit-based (awards or scholarships) and, or needs-based (grants where there is no requirement to pay). For the former, private sponsors set the criteria and are the source of funds, and the amount awarded can range.
If a sponsor determines ‘financial need’ as a criteria, we gather information from the applicant and, based on a scale of 30 to 80 percent, look to see where they may fall within that scale, with those with the greatest need falling closer to 80 percent.
We approach this in a holistic manner and consider other factors such as the submitted essay and the interview, where multiple applicants might be competing. Generally, distribution is primarily based on the financial need of the student and their parents’ income level.
Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students in recognition of special skills, talents, specific fields of study, community service, leadership abilities and athletic ability. They might also consider financial need, but rewarding talent is the primary objective.
Often, there are scholarships that have not been awarded simply because no one applied for them. Put another way, there is money available that does not get used. So, spend some time looking at the scholarship offerings, their criteria, and apply.
Do you accept scholarship applications from non-traditional students, such as students from the AEC or homeschooled students?
Yes. We do not discriminate. We realise that applicants who may have traversed education through the non-traditional routes may have particular needs that require additional support. We continue to develop relationships with the Adult Education Centre and The Department of Child and Family Services to support applicants from underserved populations in the community. And, if the applicant does not qualify for a scholarship, financial aid becomes another means of accessing funding for tuition.
Do students have to be Bermudian to apply for your scholarships? Are there any restricting criteria to be aware of?
Most scholarships require you to be Bermudian or a PRC Holder, but scholarship sponsors set the criteria for their scholarships and Bermuda College administers them from our end. It is always important to check the criteria of the scholarships that interest you to make sure you fall within their remit as some may require more or less than others.
In applying for scholarships to further your education abroad, it is often an asset to have completed a programme of study at Bermuda College.
How would you advise a student to apply for your scholarships, and when?
Our deadlines fall after most scholarship deadlines, April 1 – June 30. While you have time to apply, I suggest applicants start early and work on it over a period of time. It is vital that you plan out this process.
What advice would you give someone who is interested in becoming a student, but needs financial aid?
Ask questions. Be proactive. Don’t be deterred by the steps you have to take to secure funding. It is worth it. Please do not let finances be the reason why you did not submit an application to pursue a career pathway at Bermuda College. In addition to financial aid, we have payment plans that allow students to organise payments into manageable amounts over the course of the semester.
In a nutshell, Financial Support Services at Bermuda College administers awards, grants and scholarships to ensure that students have the opportunity to pursue further education, including professional certifications, with the College. The team reviews each applicant’s information to determine the appropriate source of funding to assist with addressing the difference between the cost of tuition and any associated fees and what you and your family can afford to contribute. General requirements include:
- Course registration by the published application deadline.
- Satisfactory academic progress, which is defined as a minimum GPA of 2.00.
- Submission of a complete application, including any requested additional documentation, by the published deadline.
Please note that not all courses facilitated by the Division of Professional and Career Education (PACE) are eligible for support administered by the College. Grants generally provide funding support for the Fall and Spring semesters.
If you have any questions, email [email protected].
