A $30,000 scholarship aimed at helping regional university students excel in their studies is now open for applications.
The QCoal Foundation Scholarship provides a James Cook University student with $10,000 per year for three years to offset the costs of studying.
First-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery student and 2021 Scholarship recipient Holly McLean said the financial support had been extremely helpful.
“It’s definitely allowed me to focus and have more time to dedicate to my studies as well as allowing me to find a better work-life balance,” she said.
“Starting my first year of uni has been a big change from high school but I’m happy with how my results have been going and hopefully I can keep it up.
“There’s a lot to take in but I’m really enjoying my degree. In the first semester of this year, I have had already had opportunities to focus on rural and remote communities. That included a research assignment which focused on the communication skills between healthcare workers and indigenous populations in remote areas.”
Originally from Emerald in Central Queensland, Ms McLean said she had used the scholarship to help meet the cost of her accommodation and everyday expenses while she studied at JCU’s Nguma-bada campus in Smithfield, Cairns.
“My student accommodation costs about $12,000 a year so having that extra financial support through the scholarship has really helped out my family with those costs,” she said.
Ms McLean said she hoped to eventually return to Central Queensland to work once she graduated.
“I genuinely have a passion to do something that can help people,” she said.
“The application process is straightforward and I encourage anyone applying to put some time in to their application and let them know just how passionate you are about you want to do. You’ll have an easier time writing it.”
QCoal Foundation Chief Executive Officer Sylvia Bhatia said the Foundation was delighted to offer the scholarship opportunity to regional and remote students for the seventh year in a row.
“Over the years we have supported students from a range of disciplines including medicine, geology, vet science, engineering and dentistry,” she said.
“We are looking not only for students who do well academically, but also those who are supporting their local or school community and who have an aspiration to work in regional and remote locations after graduating.
“We look forward to hearing from applicants from all over Queensland.”
The scholarship is open to current Year 12 students who are planning to study at JCU or students who are commencing first or second year studies in a Geology or Earth Science undergraduate course.
Eligible students who are passionate about making a difference in regional and remote Queensland are encouraged to apply by January 16, 2022.
To apply for the 2022 QCoal Foundation Scholarship, click here.
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