Government cash to continue her teaching studies.

And the heartbroken 20-year-old sent out a plea for the $5,000 loan she needs.

She said she needed the money by Friday -- the deadline for carrying on her studies in the United States.

"I'm not asking for a handout. All I want is to go back to school,'' said the woman, who asked not be named.

"I've suffered a huge setback, but I'm still determined to become a teacher.'' She claimed her plight was a damning indictment on Government's talk about helping the young.

"Student loans, thought of in Bermuda as an automatic way to secure higher education, are a myth,'' she said.

The woman, who lives with her mother in Somerset, hopes to get a BA degree in middle school teaching at Clark Atlanta University.

She recently enrolled there after switching from the neighbouring Morris Brown University, where she had been on a pre-school teaching course.

But she was left devastated on New Year's Eve after being told she had not qualified for a Government loan.

With her bags packed and ready to fly off, Education Ministry officials dropped the bombshell -- she did not have enough credits.

The former Bermuda College student, however, has strongly denied this.

She claimed education officials were not informed of all her credits by Morris Brown University.

The woman pointed out that although she performed averagely during two years at Bermuda College, she had improved dramatically since then. At Morris Brown University she received a steady stream of As for her work.

And the improvement, brought on by increased motivation, had now given her sufficient credits for a loan, she said.

"I kept ringing the Education Ministry about a loan, and I was told to keep calling back.

"This woman said she wasn't sure if I had got one, but I was given the impression I would.

"Now I've missed the deadline for applying, and Government doesn't have any funds.'' Government's decision has virtually blown her chances of studying this semester at Clark Atlanta University -- without help.

Students begin at the college tomorrow, although the starting deadline is Friday.

The only hope is for a Good Samaritan to come to her rescue.

"I'm not asking for anything for free. I would pay all the money back once I started teaching,'' she said.

Unless somebody comes forward, she said she would have to wait until September to reapply for a loan.

"It would be a big blow, I would be behind a semester, and that's assuming I received a loan.

"Once I've completed my studies, and perhaps taken a masters degree, I will return to Bermuda to work for Government.'' The woman said she had switched to Clark Atlanta University to become part of Bermuda's middle school plans, specialising in Maths and English.

Her tuition fees and living expenses at Morris Brown had been paid for by her parents. They amounted to around $18,000.

"My parents are ordinary working people caught in the poor economic conditions and simply can't afford anymore.'' The woman said anyone wanting to help could contact her on 234-2162.

Yesterday Mr. Robert Horton, Bermuda's senior education officer, said he was unable to comment on a specific case.

"Each application for a loan is handled confidentially. I can't talk about it.'' Mr. Horton, however, was able to reveal the requirements for a student loan.

These include successful completion of a two-year diploma programme at Bermuda College or a "post-secondary academic programme of study.'' Another alternative requirement is the successful completion of the second year at an approved four-year college or university.

Applicants must also show they are in financial need. The value of a further education award or student loan ranges from $1,000 to $5,000.