Whatever your political leanings may be, one thing is certain: Bermuda government scholarships are amazing!
These generous awards have afforded thousands of Bermudian students the freedom to pursue their passions through higher education for decades now.
Just last year, some 67 students earned financial support through hard work and dedication to academic excellence, which our government rightfully values. There are dozens of awards handed out each year, and more than $2 million has been allocated to supporting students since 2017.
Typical scholarships cover the high GPA students, but there are also non-traditional bursaries for older students, special grants for specialised degrees and financial awards for vocational programmes available each year.
Tiffany Durham is the proud recipient of a 2021 Non-Traditional Student Award, when she was 30, and she testifies that getting that support made her education journey possible.
“As a non-traditional student, I had no idea how I was going to pay for school. This scholarship made it possible for me to complete my degree without that financial stress.”
SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE!
When it comes to tertiary education, this is a reality for a lot of people. The non-traditional Student Award provides up to $20,000 for up to four years, which is a massive relief for students and their families.
I can also testify to this, from personal experience. I was fortunate enough to win a Teacher Training Award way back in 1995, when I was 22. I have no qualms confessing that, without that $7,500 for each of the three years I attended University in England, there was NO WAY I would have been able to go to school.
This is why scholarships are so important. They open doors that would otherwise be nailed shut for many of the students who apply for them. The only alternative options for students who want to pursue a – very costly – higher education are to be born into a wealthy family, or go for student loans that may take them decades to pay back.
PAYING IT FORWARD
Scholarships legitimately help dreams come true. Having recently graduated summa cum laude in December 2024 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, concentrating in human resources, Ms Durham can confirm the power that scholarships can bring to a life.
“I’m an entrepreneur at heart,” she said.
“I started my business, Fidelis Virtual, three years ago (https://www.fidelisvirtual. com/) to help small business owners streamline their operations, and to support myself through school. “Through this, I’ve seen how powerful online service-based businesses can be. I want to use my business skills to teach more Bermudians how to build and grow their own online businesses.
“Many people in Bermuda feel limited by the size of the local economy, but the internet has changed that. The world is their market, and I want to help them tap into that potential by leveraging digital tools and working with clients globally.
“This isn’t just about creating individual success. More Bermudians running online businesses means more money flowing into the island. Instead of relying only on local customers, entrepreneurs can earn foreign income while living in Bermuda, strengthening both their financial stability and the island’s economy.”
DO WHAT YOU LOVE TO DO
The more students like Ms Durham are supported, the better Bermuda gets. Every government scholarship winner is grateful to Bermuda – and they bring that energy back here.
My own Teacher Training Award came with a requirement that I return to Bermuda and give back the full tenure of my award by teaching in the Bermuda Public School System. I’ve been serving the BPSS in some capacity since 1999. What’s more is that there are literally thousands of stories like mine and Ms Durham’s – because when students are given opportunities to improve themselves, they instinctively improve the community they emerged from.
Ms Durham is passionate about sharing her expertise: “I’d love to teach business one day at the high school or college level.”
She also advises other students who are considering diving into a business degree to be real with it.
“Be passionate about business. Don’t choose it just because it seems like a ‘safe’ degree. If you love business, the journey will be much easier. This applies to any degree, but in Bermuda, many people feel pressured to choose business because of our international business sector.”
This highlights another awesome aspect of Bermuda government scholarships: they feed callings. While there are several specialised awards, the larger bursaries tend to be very open and diverse, allowing students to pursue degrees in pretty much any accredited programme available at universities across the globe.
IT’S ALL GOOD FOR BERMUDA
Of course, this also means that Bermuda’s population becomes more skilled, more sought after, and more capable of building a more sustainable, kinder future. Social development through higher education is not a bad idea at all, huh?
Bermudian students have no shortage of opportunity, as millions of dollars are awarded each year to students pursuing approved degrees.
Ms Durham advised applicants: “Apply with a positive and growth-focused mindset. You never know who will say yes until you try.”
And she pleaded with those handing out awards: “Please consider older students too. Because my birthday is in late December, I missed the age limit by just a week for many of the scholarships available.
“There are so many non-traditional students who didn’t have the chance to go to school earlier, for whatever reason, and would love to return, but lack the financial means.
“More scholarships for non-traditional students, or raising or removing the age limit, could empower so many more people in Bermuda who feel like it’s too late for them.”
I can relate to this plea, as I was an older applicant when I applied for my award in 1995 – well, older than the fresh-out-of-high-school applicants anyway. I’m grateful for the help provided to this day, and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
