Students who would have struggled to pay fees will able to continue their education this year because of grants from a charity.

Knowledge Quest has raised cash from donations from companies, foundations and individuals to give scholarships to 16 gifted students to start college.

Another 32 students are already in their sophomore, junior, or senior years.

The scholarships are awarded to students who are academically capable but do not have the money to pay for college or university.

A spokeswoman for the charity – which has raised more than $4 million since it started 20 years ago – said that the coronavirus pandemic had caused extra financial stress for students and their families.

She added: “Covid-19 has continued to affect most new candidates’ and returning students’ ability to obtain summer jobs and complete internships.

“The pandemic also affected many parents’ jobs with reduced hours or layoffs.”

Sisters Iva Taylor and Christine Taylor, earlier Knowledge Quest students who graduated from Cornell University in New York State, praised the charity for its help.

The pair said: “Being accepted into Cornell University was a celebratory occasion – but also a huge financial burden for our family.

“Knowledge Quest’s assistance was critical for us both to attend university.

“Knowledge Quest also provided us guidance on topics ranging from university course selection to resume and interview tips, which has been instrumental in developing us in our careers.

“Today. we are a political risk and credit underwriter at AXA/XL and a senior manager in patient care at Gilead Sciences and are very grateful to Knowledge Quest for their support and mentorship.”

The charity’s directors – Gigi Barit, Kathy Lines, Ricky Lines, Fiona Luck and Cynthia Cox – thanked donors for “investing in a positive future for Bermuda”, and wished this year’s recipients success.

This year’s crop of students were Donnauri Robinson, Jahdeja Swan, Christopher Jackson, Shani Tucker, Zariah Simmons, Paige Raynor, Courtney Medeiros, Garynae Dowling, Samuel Darling, Precious Hayward, T’syi Showers, Ava-Lynn Mayer, Jonathan Smith, Shani Darrell, Kessiah Jackson and Riley Jackson.

Knowledge Quest Ltd is a registered charity that has supported more than 250 Bermudians as they worked college or university degrees.

The deadline for applying for a scholarship next autumn is May 15, 2022.

Students should apply here.

To donate to Knowledge Quest, visit here or here, which is sponsored by the Bermuda Community Foundation.