Tertiary scholarships from gov’t to continue

Students in the British Virgin Islands will still have an opportunity earn tertiary scholarships from government, even in light of hurricanes Irma and Maria which resulted in a considerable portion of the territory’s budgeted funds being reprioritized towards recovery.

This is according to Premier and Minister of Finance Dr D Orlando Smith who said an anonymous donor has pledged to give thousands annually toward local scholarships.

He said: “While we as your government had to withhold scholarships for a year as a result of the devastation caused by the hurricanes, a personal friend and longstanding resident of the BVI has agreed to provide up to $600,000 per year in scholarships in addition to what he has already been doing.”

“This will help to ensure that the annual scholarship programme in tertiary education continues. I am most grateful to this donor who always prefers to remain unnamed and to all who continue to contribute to the rebuild of our country,” the Premier added.

Under government’s revised scholarship programme, students become eligible for tertiary scholarships when they complete studies at H Lavity Stout Community College rather than at the end of secondary school.