Following an extremely successful inaugural year, Rural Bank will be again offering school leavers throughout rural and regional Australia the opportunity to kick start their careers through its scholarship program. Source: Timberbiz
The 2016 program, which is now open for applications, will offer three scholarships for first-time undergraduate university or college students enrolled in agribusiness studies or studies that will enable the student to contribute to the Australian agribusiness sector.
General Manager Agribusiness for Rural Bank, Andrew Smith, acknowledged his pride in the program and the impact it will have on the future of the industry.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for us to support students with a passion for agriculture who are experiencing challenges with accessing tertiary study,” he said. “The future of the Australian farming sector is reliant upon upcoming talent and this program ensures we are helping to pave the way for them.
“The team was delighted with the applications received for the 2015 scholarship program; so much so that we decided to open up three additional places. We are excited to see who we meet this year and have a similar challenge of choosing just three.”
“Rural Bank is dedicated to backing the Australian farming community and supporting these individuals in their tertiary studies is a major pillar of that commitment.”
The Rural Bank Scholarship will provide every successful student applicant with funding to the value of $5,000 for their first year of study and, depending on academic performance, the scholarship may be renewed to assist the second year of study.
The purpose of the funding is to support study-related expenses such as accommodation and course costs, study-related materials, textbooks or tutoring.
Scholarship applications will close on 25 January 2016 and will be assessed in early 2016.
To be eligible for the scholarship program students must:
- Be a first-time undergraduate tertiary student
- Have been offered a full-time place to study (at an Australian university or college campus) an agribusiness degree or a degree that will enable them to contribute to the Australian agribusiness sector
- Be a school leaver (or have taken a gap year)
- Demonstrate how their study will enable them to contribute to the Australian agribusiness sector
- Demonstrate the challenging circumstances (financial and/or social) which are hampering the student’s ability to undertake further study
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
For more information about the Rural Bank Scholarship Program and to apply online, visit www.ruralbank.com.au/scholarship
