Mentor Support Network is continuing to experience demand for its educational scholarship program with 47 scholarships being awarded for the 2024 academic year.
Chair of the Scholarship Committee, Helen Doust, said the total represented an increase on previous years and reflected the importance of the work by MSN in offering an opportunity to financially disadvantaged students.
“We are seeing a steady increase in demand for scholarships as we had 42 scholarship holders in 2023 and 35 in 2022, said Helen. The 47 scholarships being provided in MSN’s 2024 program take the total number to nearly 490 since the first scholarships were offered in 2008, the overall value being about $850,000.
Helen’s committee interviewed a wide range of students in October from Hunter Region high schools and education institutions and all successful applicants have been notified about their 2024 scholarships which are operational from early December as the students prepare for next year.
The scholarships are designed to assist financially disadvantaged students who next year will be entering Year 11 studies or final years of vocational training at educational institutions such as TAFE or trade colleges.
MSN’s aim is that the scholarships help successful applicants stay at school or in studies and reach their potential in terms of individual education and career goals.
Helen said three new schools nominated students for scholarships and the interview committee met a number of support teachers which was beneficial in building good communication and relationships.
Good luck to all our new 47 scholarship holders for 2024. A formal presentation ceremony of certificates is planned for early May next year.