Completing a law degree is considered tough by most people’s standards. Now imagine trying to finish that same law degree, while also working two jobs to pay your way through school.

That was the reality for Jennifer Looby, 23, but thanks to the ABIC Education Awards her money woes now appear to be over.

Miss Looby said she was lost for words and in complete shock when she learned her tuition, books and accommodation fees would be covered to the tune of $30,000 over the next two years. When she was contacted by someone on the awards committee she couldn’t stop saying thank you.

She told The Royal Gazette: “Without this award, completing my final year of Law School in London in September would be impossible.

“I have completed the first two years of my Bachelors via distance education through the University of London External Programme while working full time at the Supreme Court of Bermuda and part time at the Rosedon Hotel.

“This will be my first time being a full-time student since 2007 and not having to balance employment on top of my studies.”

Miss Looby was one of 17 recipients of the 2014 ABIC Education Awards, the largest postsecondary scholarship programme in Bermuda.

Sponsored by annual donations from international companies on the Island, it has resulted in more than $5 million donated to deserving students over the past ten years. This year alone $527,650 was raised to provide financial support to Bermudian students pursuing higher education degrees related to International Business.

For students like Miss Looby, the money from donor company PartnerRe will go a long way in helping her to accomplish her dreams.

Coming from a single-parent household has meant that finances have always been tight, she said. Her mother has had to work four jobs to make ends meet, however it taught her that through hard work and perseverance you can still accomplish your goals.

The aspiring lawyer said this award meant the world to her and comes as a huge blessing.

After she graduates she plans to continue her studies for an additional year to complete the Legal Practice Course (LPC), while also earning her Masters in Law (LLM).

“From childhood, I was inspired by the Civil Rights movement and believed that I could contribute to justice in the community by becoming a lawyer,” she said.

“This belief was validated when I was offered my current position as the Law Researcher for the Supreme Court of Bermuda, allowing me to experience the day-to-day workings of the legal system first hand.”

If she could give advice to any other young person in her shoes it would be about the value of networking.

“You never know when you will need to reach out to someone for help or if they will need you one day,” she added.

Eighteen-year-old Ciara Rego was overjoyed to hear she had been selected by the awards committee and actually started crying tears of joy.

She said: “I have always been determined to go away to university, but have not always been sure that I could afford it.

“My parents always told me that they would find a way to send me, but I knew it wouldn’t be easy for them. So when I received this award, I was ecstatic. Not only did it prove to me that hard work pays off, but I also realised that you can do anything that you put your mind to as long as you climb over hills, and dig through ditches to get there.”

Miss Rego will be entering her first year at Saint Leo University in Florida, where she will be majoring in Accounting.

Thanks to support from donor company Zurich, it will ease financial pressure on her family and help propel her into the next chapter of her life, she said.

Similarly the award has come as a huge relief to Cara Johnston, 19.

“This award means so much to me because it relieves much of the financial stress associated with attending university,” she said. “It will enable me to focus on my studies and to attain my degree.”

She is currently working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Accounting at the University of Exeter.

The teenager was inspired to find a career in business because she enjoys working with numbers and has found there is a high demand for qualified Bermudian accountants.

She believes IB plays a very important role on the Island.

“It is one of the largest industries [here] and Bermuda relies heavily on it,” she explained. “These companies provide jobs for Bermudians and also bring in highly skilled workers from overseas who generate income for local companies (eg grocery stores, laundry, car sales).

“They also give back to the community through corporate social responsibility programmes, such as providing scholarships to young Bermudians!”

If she hadn’t received a scholarship, she would have needed to take out a student loan to continue her education.

She said she was extremely grateful to have been chosen and admitted the financial support means a lot to both her and her family.

Useful website: www.abic.bm