Three Southland pupils planning tertiary studies next year will get a financial helping hand from a leading employer in the South.
Solid Energy is again offering three scholarships to pupils who attend schools in its local mining communities.
The scholarships are worth $2000 annually for up to four years' study.
Two Eastern Southland schools - Gore High School and St Peters College - are among 12 in Southland eligible.
Solid Energy chief operating officer Barry Bragg said applicants had to write two essays.
The first required them to comment on how Solid Energy made a difference in its local communities, not just as an employer but in contributing to the local way of life and what else it did to make a difference in the province.
The second essay invited applicants to explain their study and career aspirations and how winning the scholarship would help them.
Mr Bragg said last year's three scholarship winners had all begun their tertiary studies at the University of Otago.
The company has helped 14 students since the scholarships were launched in 2004.
Solid Energy selects students intending to take courses of study that complement its business and operations. Applications close on October 23.
