Western Bay of Plenty students with significant physical or intellectual disabilities can now apply for their share of a unique $100,000 scholarship fund to help them pursue tertiary study next year.

Tauranga student Amelie Stevens is one of 32 current local recipients of a BayTrust Disability Scholarship - Tū Kaha, Whai Kaha (stand tall, people with disabilities).

Applications for next year's scholarships open tomorrow, November 1, and allow students like Amelie to concentrate on studying rather than worry about how to pay for things like medical bills, learning aides, special equipment, transport or just everyday living costs.

'I had a heart transplant when I was three years-old, which brings its lasting challenges,” the 18 year-old explains.

'With COVID lingering this year and being immunocompromised, this extra worry persisted throughout the year.

'I ended up getting very sick with COVID and was hospitalised for a couple of days, but the symptoms lasted a few months. Alongside getting sick and fatigued easily, I deal with the hassle of constant doctor's visits, and consistently changing and picking up new medications – which is just an extra inconvenience on top of university work and study.”

The BayTrust scholarship helped Amelie pay for her course textbooks and medication costs this year.

'University textbooks can get quite expensive, so the scholarship took the pressure off those extra costs which helped greatly with courses and studying this year. As well, it covered the costs of medication which eliminates that extra worry.”

Amelie hopes other eligible Western Bay students will now grab the opportunity and apply for the financial help that is available. 'It's worth it and so easy to apply – just go for it. It takes the pressure off paying for all those extra small costs that can get expensive.”

Back in 2007, Amelie was the youngest ever New Zealander at that time to have received a heart transplant. The former Otumoetai College student is now completing her first year towards a Bachelor of Science at Canterbury University, majoring in medicinal chemistry. She hopes to eventually undertake postgraduate study and/or research around drug design and development.

University of Canterbury's Ernest Rutherford science building. Photo: Supplied.

BayTrust's annual scholarship fund has awarded just over $2m to around 600 Bay of Plenty students since it first began in 1990 and is the only one of its kind in New Zealand. It was formerly known as the Dillion Scholarship but has been re-named this year to resonate more with eligible students and hopefully expand its reach.

The scholarship is designed to level the playing field as students with disabilities often face additional study costs compared to their able-bodied peers. This year a total of 50 students from across the wider region were awarded $87,000 between them.

There is no age restriction and those eligible can apply for a maximum of five years to help them obtain tertiary qualifications. The average amount paid over the past five years has been $1705 per student, per year.

BayTrust CEO Alastair Rhodes is also keen to see more Western Bay of Plenty students apply for a disability scholarship for the upcoming academic year.

'Our first scholarships in 1990 awarded a total of $1800. We've now hit the $2m mark which is incredible. So many of the students are a real credit to themselves and their families and BayTrust is very proud of them.

'Their sheer determination to overcome additional hurdles is genuinely humbling. Many have such great strength of character which may not be apparent to the outside world. It is our pleasure to support them as they pursue their academic dreams.”

Scholarship funds can help pay for any costs reasonably associated with tertiary study and can include course fees, books, computers and living costs.

BayTrust will consider applications from students whose home base is within the Bay of Plenty, and who are applying to study at university, polytechnic or other New Zealand-based institutions in a course recognised by NZQA or equivalent.

Applications for the BayTrust Disability Scholarship - Tū Kaha, Whai Kaha, open on Tuesday 1 November and will close on 13 January for the 2023 academic year.

Bay of Plenty students who have a medically-recognised significant disability can apply on-line by visiting www.baytrust.org.nz/Apply-scholarship or phoning BayTrust on 0800 654 546.