In order to assist and support our local young people the Mid Richmond Education Fund was established to provide financial assistance. This Fund is designed to help young people further their education opportunities, training,  and vocational goals. The Fund recognises the cost to rural students in pursuing their post school training which  is often greater than that of city based people and assist those students who find such costs prohibitive.

The Mid Richmond Education Fund gains its income through fundraising and  donations from within our community and businesses to provide financial assistance to students in need of  a helping hand. None of the money comes from government sources  and the Fund relies totally on community support. Through this Fund the community is supporting its own young people and assisting them to achieve their goals.

The Fund supports a diverse range of education and career pursuits, however these  assistance packages are not awarded on an academic basis. They may include trade apprenticeships, traineeships, university degrees and diplomas  in (for example) tourism, hospitality, rural or fishery based pursuits. At no time will the Fund provide cash assistance to the recipient, it will  direct payment to  service providers  or reinburse the student for pre-agreed expenses.

Assistance is available to local young people who live and attend school in our region.  Applications will be received from people in transition from school to further education or work.

THE THREE SELECTION CRITERIA ARE:

• applicants must have a realistic goal
• have shown commitment to achieving their goals in the past and
• are in need of financial assistance to achieve their goals.

The Mid Richmond Education Fund is limited to the amount of assistance that can be granted. In the year 2020/21 grants will generally be to a maximum of $400 but requests for assistance in excess of this amount may be considered.

Interested students who complete the application form with the necessary supporting documentation will be considered by the Fund’s interview panel.  Short listed applicants will be expected to attend an interview following which a final decision will be made by the selection panel.

Successful applicants will be required to agree to the following:

• Notify the Mid Richmond Education Fund if any other assistance is received  from another source.
• To assist with any  Mid Richmond Education Fund promotional fund raising activity when available and
• provide written updates to the Mid Richmond Education Fund every six months on the progression of the activity relating to their goal.