Eighteen Papakura young people have received Youth Scholarship grants to help them with their tertiary studies.
Papakura Local Board chair Brent Catchpole says almost $20,000 in grants were made, but the round featured several applications from ineligible people.
“That tells us that more and more young people are desperate to find help with the rising cost of studying to achieve their dreams.
“Our scheme is necessarily focussed on our own young people, and we have to make it stretch as far as we can.
“By far the bulk of applications sought help with computer purchases but the number applying for help with travel costs increased markedly.
“It is devastating to think that we might have young people in our community who are unable to fulfil their potential, to chase their dreams, because they can not afford to travel to a place of study.”
The scholarships offer a maximum of $1500 for academic and trade purposes and are available to youth aged 14 to 24.
Catchpole says grants went to young people committed to studying in fields as diverse as IT to medicine.
“The cost of living remains very much in the news and while our scholarship is not a huge amount, it is funding that can make a difference.
“There is no doubt some of our young people miss out on further education because of the costs and we believe that even at a time when our budgets are constrained, our rangatahi need to know we will stand with them.”
Applicants must use their funds in 2024 to move into education and training or attend New Zealand events based on leadership and development, have a genuine connection to the board area, be citizens or residents, and have shown leadership potential or a willingness to help others.
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