Bermuda’s range of scholarships and awards for local students is being broadened, the House of Assembly heard.

Wayne Scott, the Minister of Education, told MPs that the government had followed through on its 2016 Throne Speech promise with eight new scholarships.

They include achievement awards for public school graduates, merit awards for graduating senior school students in financial need, and awards for public school graduates or alumni attending with “a strong interest in technical and vocational studies”.

Mr Scott said there was also an exceptional student award for graduating students or school leavers with disabilities.

Most will require a demonstrable financial need, and will consider excellence, perseverance, creativity, and a “willingness to give back to Bermuda”.

The Minister’s Scholarships are for overseas study, and will be valued at $25,000. The Minister’s Technical and Vocational Awards and the Minister’s Exceptional Student Awards are for local or overseas study and will be valued at $5,000 and $25,000 respectively.

All are advertised on BermudaScholarships.com, where applications must be submitted by March 31.

“We want more and more young people — including those of diverse interests, and those who face challenges to success — to be optimistic about their future,” the minister added.