Through the Community Scholarship Fund, students can obtain financial support to assist  with their studies.

The fund has supplied more than $300,000 across 332 scholarships, over the last 14 years.

Gunnedah’s Bonnie Hayne was a recipient of the scholarship in 2017 and believes it has made a significant impact.

“The scholarship has helped me immensely with the extra expenses that my Interior Design degree requires such as software and supplies,” Ms Hayne said. 

“I am just so appreciative and grateful that I received this scholarship.”

Ms Hayne also believes the scholarship delivers more than just funds it also provides “peace of mind”.

“The scholarship has given me peace of mind that if I have to spend money to complete an assignment, I am able to do so without having to change my concepts to fit my budget” Ms Hayne said.

Council youth officer Sewa Emojong said the scholarships make a major impact on students.

“We believe that it’s the incidental items that often add up and this scholarship helps take the weight of students shoulders” Ms Emojong said.

“Students are free to use the funds from the scholarship however they like which makes this scholarship very versatile”.

Ms Emojong said the goal of the scholarships is to assist students’ transition into tertiary education and put the focus on studying.

“We also hope that this scholarship can help ease the cost of living burden on students and throw the focus back on studying” Ms Emojong said.

Applications close on December 18 and can be submitted online at infogunnedah.com.au

Scholarships have covered disciplines including accounting, agriculture, allied health, animal science, law, architecture, arts/theatre, civil engineering, education, information technology, medicine, nursing and social work.