Regional students set to benefit from expanded scholarship

Applications are now open for the Steve Lewis Regional Scholarship, which has been refreshed and bolstered for its third year.

The $50,000 Southern Ports-backed scholarship is open to students in the first year of an undergraduate Science and Engineering or Business and Law degree at Curtin University’s Bentley or Kalgoorlie campus.

Originally offered to single a student annually, the scholarship is now being awarded to three students from across the South West, Great Southern and Goldfields-Esperance regions each year.

Minister for Ports and Regional Development Hon Stephen Dawson MLC declared the scholarship open for to applicants on Thursday.

"It's fantastic that the Steve Lewis Regional Scholarship has been extended to reach more students because it's a prime example of how a regional employer, such as Southern Ports, can have a lasting and positive impact by investing in its communities," he said.

Each recipient will receive $6,250 per semester for up to four years of full-time study over the course of their degree.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said the scholarships would help create better opportunities for young people that have grown up regionally.

“The Steve Lewis Regional Scholarship offers a level of financial support each semester so talented young people from our regions can pursue a university education without being financially disadvantaged," he said.

“Education has a positive and lasting impact, not only for the students but also for their communities, and that is why we’re proud to be able to partner with Curtin University to offer these scholarships.”

Curtin University’s Chief Advancement Officer John Fitzgerald said the scholarship was a great example of a regional employer investing back into its community.

“Opportunities such as the Steve Lewis Regional Scholarship help students make the most of their university experience by easing financial barriers and creating greater access to education," he said.

“I commend Southern Ports for its commitment to supporting this scholarship - an investment not only in students, but in the future strength, capability and prosperity of regional communities and industry across Western Australia.”

For more information, including full scholarship criteria, visit the Curtin University website.

Read the Minister's full statement - here.

Applications close Wednesday 29 July.