BCU launches new $15,000 scholarship to study at SCU

A Year 12 student coming from a school in the Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads region will have the chance to kick-start their university studies at Southern Cross University with a $15,000 scholarship, thanks to Bananacoast Community Credit Union (BCU).

BCU has announced it will provide $5000 a year for three years to a student enrolled in a fulltime business degree at one of SCU’s campuses in Lismore, Coffs Harbour or Tweed Heads.

The BCU Bachelor of Business Scholarship, to be offered to a student starting their studies in 2005, will be awarded on academic achievement, personal maturity and social responsibility. It is open to students who completed their HSC at a high school in the region from Tweed Heads, south to Port Macquarie and west to the Great Dividing Range.

BCU Human Resources Manager, Ms Carol Ward, said the scholarship demonstrated the Credit Union’s commitment to putting profits back into the community.

“We have 15 branches within the region from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads South and more than 50,000 Members. Our board of directors is strongly of the belief that education, employment and community housing are critical in regional growth,” Ms Ward said.

“Over the past three years BCU has actively supported the education and employment of youth in this region through traineeships. This is another way that BCU can provide an invaluable opportunity for school leavers.”

SCU’s Director of Marketing and External Relations, Mr Shaun McDonagh, welcomed the contribution and acknowledged the commitment by BCU to supporting higher education in the region.

“This important initiative will help attract and retain the region’s best and brightest students in the field of business,” Mr McDonagh said.

“BCU has strong community links and this scholarship is further evidence of its commitment to school leavers in the region. SCU is looking forward to an ongoing relationship with the Credit Union.”

Applications for all undergraduate scholarships will be available in August and the deadline for applications is Friday, October 29. They will be available from schools in the regions or from the website: scu.edu.au/scholarships.
For information email scholarships@scu.edu.au or phone 66203975.

Media contact: Brigid Veale, SCU Media Liaison, 66593006 or m. 0439 680 748.