Scholarships for Whanganui UCOL Students

Nearly 60 Whanganui UCOL students are about to get help with the financial cost of their studies.

Scholarships worth a total of $45,600 will be presented to 57 students at a special function tonight (Wednesday) at Whanganui UCOL�s new campus on Rutland Street.

Campus Principal Suzanne Frecklington says the scholarships, are donated by local businesses, community groups, trusts and individuals, and by UCOL. �The range and variety of our donors reflects the diversity of our programmes,� she says.

�We all know that the cost of living is increasing, making these scholarships even more important. It is one way to take some of the pressure off our brightest and less privileged students to allow them to focus on their studies.�

�Whanganui UCOL has a very supportive community which generously assists our students with their tertiary study costs. I extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to all those who have donated scholarships to help our students succeed.�

Whanganui UCOL scholarships are awarded to students in recognition of effort and achievement, to assist with financial hardship, or for a combination of circumstances.  This year the value of scholarships ranges from $300 to $2,200.

Organisations funding scholarships include the Akoranga Education Trust, which has had a long-term association with Whanganui UCOL and donates a sizable amount of money to students in scholarships every year. This year the trust is financing 20 scholarships, including eight to Bachelor of Computer Graphic Design students and five to Bachelor of Nursing students.

Other individuals and organisations funding scholarships include the Arthur Wheeler Leedstown Trust, Dot McKinnon, Philip-Wright Fabrics, Wanganui District Council, Wanganui Education Trust, Maxi Lab Photo Film and Digital, H and A Design and Print, Energy Direct NZ, Fletcher Challenge, Bryan Smythe Memorial, George Ammundsen and the Kate Gray Memorial.

This year four of the most valuable scholarships go to students studying for the Certificate in Exercise and Sport Performance, four sponsored by Wanganui Sport and Fitness and two by the Wanganui District Council.