Madame President,
I rise today to share with my Senate colleagues and the audience listening that the application period for the Ministry of Education Scholarships and Awards is currently underway and will close on Tuesday, April 15th, 2025.
Madame President,
The Ministry of Education provides scholarships and awards to Bermudian students who want to pursue higher education each year. The Government of Bermuda firmly believes that post-secondary education funding should be allocated strategically and in alignment with our core values. The awards and scholarship categories offer financial assistance to the aspiring student, a mature learner, or a dedicated teacher pursuing professional training.
Madame President,
I am pleased to share that since 2018, the Government has successfully increased the budget for our scholarships and awards. Last year, 67 Bermudian students received awards and scholarships. We anticipate an increase in the number of recipients this year. In the budget year 2024/25, just under 2 million dollars was allocated to assist our students seeking tertiary or vocational further education.
Madame President,
I would like to highlight that an additional $50,000 was also provided to assist 5 students who were facing financial barriers with continuing their post-secondary education overseas. The additional funding was provided from the mid-year review.
Madame President,
The Ministry of Education is pleased to offer financial support through ten scholarship categories to help students achieve their educational goals. The 2025 Ministry of Education Scholarships and Awards are as follows:
The Minister's Achievement Scholarship helps high-achieving CedarBridge Academy and The Berkeley Institute graduate students attend overseas post-secondary education. The funding for this award is $25,000 per year.
The Minister's Exceptional Student Award for graduating students or school leavers with disabilities for local or overseas post-secondary study. Persons with disabilities up to the age of 25 who may be working, volunteering, or already attending college or university are eligible to apply. The funding for this award is $25,000 per year for overseas study and $7500 for local study.
The Minister's Technical and Vocational Award for public school graduates for local or overseas post-secondary study. The funding for this award is $ 25,000 per year for overseas study and $7500 for local study.
The Minister's Applied Science Scholarship for graduating public senior school students who attended the Applied Technology Dual Enrolment Diploma Programme with Bermuda College and who plan to continue the programme to obtain an Associate's Degree or certificate. The funding for this award is $7500 for one year.
The Further Education Award for current students who have completed at least one year at an accredited college or university for continued post-secondary study. Awards will also be given to students pursuing or attending post-graduate study. The funding for this award is $10,000 for one year.
The Non-Traditional Student Award for persons aged 25 and over pursuing their first post-secondary degree. The funding for this award is $25,000 per year.
The Teacher Education Scholarship for current college or university students for study of selected subjects and/or areas of teaching needed in the Bermuda Public School System. Applicants must graduate, complete their Teaching Practicum, and obtain a BEC License within three years of receiving this award. The funding for this award is $20,000 per year.
The Bermuda Government Scholarship for well-rounded graduating senior school, college or university students up to the age of 25 who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement. The funding for this award is $35,000 per year.
The University of the West Indies Scholarship provides funding for up to 3 years for either undergraduate or post-graduate students. The funding for this award is $7,500 per year.
The Bermuda College Book Award provides funding for books for Bermuda College students in financial need. The funding for this award is $500 per year.
Madame President,
In addition to the scholarships we offer, the College Promise Programme provides public high school graduates with a GPA of 3.0 or higher the opportunity to attend Bermuda College tuition-free. This opportunity allows students to obtain their associate's degree while also gaining credits that can be used towards continuing their post-secondary education at an overseas institution.
Madame President,
The Scholarships and Awards Programme Manager, Ms. Shanaye Smith, has been actively engaged in outreach with students to ensure that they are well informed about our scholarship offerings this year. The Ministry has participated in webinars, in-person information sessions at senior schools, and panel discussions with students and parents invited to attend. This year, we also launched an animated promotional video created by Bermudian artist Tashel Bean to raise awareness of our scholarship offerings on social media in our target market.
Madame President,
This Government remains unwavering in our commitment to build a fairer, more just, and more stable Bermuda for our students and adults wishing to pursue further education and certification.
In closing, Madame President, much effort has gone into raising public awareness about the Ministry's scholarships and awards, and we hope that as many students as possible will submit complete applications before the deadline. We hope parents, guardians, relatives, and my Senate colleagues will also support students to ensure they can apply before the April 15th deadline.
Thank you, Madame President.
NOTE: In the statement, Minister Caesar referenced a new animated video (link below) promoting the scholarship and awards application deadline on April 15, 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsGc1JCBvLk