University Scholarships for Rural Students

Media release 17 March 2008

Rural Community Trust awards University Scholarships for Rural Students

The Rural Community Trust (RCT) announced today the recipients of the Transpower Tertiary Scholarship grants for rural students for 2008.

The grants are to assist young people from rural areas seeking tertiary qualifications and can be used for a range of student's tertiary expenses.

RCT Chair, Chrissy Pedersen said that the Trust recognises that the extra travel and distance that rural students face can be a barrier to tertiary education.

“Feedback from past recipients indicates that this funding makes a real difference for the students in helping them succeed in their chosen field.”

The total grants awarded this year is $5,000. The successful students are: • Cameron Moratti, Waitara, Bachelor of Civil Engineering • Tomas Bridgeman, Stratford, Bachelor of Accounting and Economics • Kasy Moratti, Waitara Bachelor of Pharmacy • Ryan Moore, Hamilton, Bachelor of Sports and Exercise Science Successful applicants must be from a rural background, have a proven academic record, a commitment to study and successfully demonstrate an ability to balance study with sport or recreation.

Transpower’s communications manager and RCT Trustee Rebecca Wilson said that supporting the RCT grants programme is an opportunity for Transpower to help rural students from some of those smaller communities in which we operate.

“Rural communities are important to us. We understand the additional challenges and at times hardship faced by young people and their families from rural communities when they wish to pursue tertiary education opportunities, which are often a long way from home.

Transpower’s support for the RCT is about helping them address those challenges and access those opportunities,” she said.

Information and application forms for the 2009 tertiary scholarships are available from the secretary or downloadable from www.ruralcommunitiestrust.co.nz. RCT Chair Chrissy Pedersen said that any student who meets the criteria of the grant applications should apply.

“This is a great opportunity for students from rural backgrounds to be able to get some financial assistance for their studies, in recognition of their efforts towards gaining a tertiary education,” she said.

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