Media Release

For immediate release
6 October 2014

Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust tertiary scholarships now open

Applications are now open for the 2015 Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust Tertiary Study Awards and the Waiariki Institute of Technology – Whare Takiura Awards. These two awards will support up to 60 students from the Rotorua district to undertake full-time tertiary study.

Rotorua Trust Chairman Grahame Hall said that in the past financial year, the Trust has funded $281,000 in Tertiary Study Awards to help local secondary school leavers pursue a tertiary qualification.

Over the past 20 years, the Trust has invested $5.8 million in Tertiary Study Awards funding, which has supported a total of 841 students.

“The Rotorua Trust has an ongoing commitment to assisting secondary school leavers across the Rotorua district to achieve a higher education,” said Mr Hall.

“We have 40 Tertiary Study Awards available, which each have a value of $2,000 per academic year. Providing the student meets the academic criteria each year, they could get up to $8,000 in scholarship funding for up to four years. This is a substantial contribution to their programme of study and takes away some of the financial burden students and their parents face when considering tertiary studies.”

The Tertiary Study Awards recognise students’ merit in two ways: through their academic achievement, and for demonstrating that they are community leaders who have a significant involvement in the community and their school.

The awards are open to students who live in the Rotorua District, are New Zealand citizens or have permanent resident status. During the course of 2014, applicants must have attended: Rotorua Boys’ High School, Rotorua Girls’ High School, Rotorua Lakes High School, Western Heights High School, Reporoa College, John Paul College, Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Ruamata, Te Kura Kaupapa o Te Koutu, or Te Kura o Ngati Rongomai.

The Rotorua Trust also has 20 Waiariki Institute of Technology – Whare Takiura Awards available for students studying towards a diploma, degree or postgraduate qualification at the Waiariki Institute of Technology.

“The Trust has been backing the Polytechnic for a number of years now by offering the Waiariki Institute of Technology – Whare Takiura Awards. This is an important way for us to invest in our community and help to keep local talent in the region,” said Mr Hall.

There are three categories for the awards are postgraduate, undergraduate, and career enrichment, which is primarily targeted at students over the age of 25.

“In 2014, we awarded 14 scholarships, and all scholarship recipients are achieving high results in their chosen qualifications.”

Applications opened this week and close on 30 November. Applications can be made via the Trust website, www.rotoruatrust.org.nz, or in the care of Waiariki Polytechnic via their website, http://www.waiariki.ac.nz.

-ENDS-

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