More than 1,140 of the state’s most disadvantaged young people will be supported to achieve their academic aspirations and training goals through $1,000 cash grants as part of a NSW Government scholarship program.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) Scholarships would help lift the load for students in their final years of high school and early years of tertiary education.
“A good education provides the foundation for the future and these scholarships are about giving young people a helping hand to pursue education or work,” Mr Henskens said.
“We want to see young people growing up in social housing or out-of-home care break the cycle of disadvantage and live long, happy and healthy lives. These scholarships are one of the ways the NSW Government is helping to make that happen.”
The program is available to young people living in social housing or on the housing register, students receiving private rental assistance, or those living in crisis, supported accommodation or out-of-home care.
This year, 727 new and 414 returning students will benefit from the scholarships. Young people can receive the scholarship for up to three years, providing they are still studying and meet eligibility criteria.
Recipients can use their funds for education-related expenses such as textbooks, IT equipment or internet access.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the aim of the program is to improve school completion rates, boost vocational and tertiary qualifications for disadvantaged young people and develop work readiness.
“These scholarships are about removing barriers for young people to finish the HSC or to go on to tertiary education. More than 2,290 students have been supported by these scholarships since they were established in 2017 and hundreds more will benefit this year,” Ms Mitchell said.
The scholarships are funded under Future Directions for Social Housing in NSW, a ten-year plan to drive better outcomes for social housing tenants.