This is always an exciting time of year. School is back in session with students in classrooms across the province, including at our very own Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) Amherst Learning Centre.
"We're so fortunate to have the Nova Scotia Community College as part of our educational landscape," said David Kogon, Mayor of the Town of Amherst. "This is an institution that prepares a great many students every year to work in industries vital to the success of our town, and our province as a whole."
Post-secondary education can be life-changing, but not everyone can access college programs due to the costs involved.
In 2018, the Town of Amherst established the "Town of Amherst Community Award" through the NSCC Foundation's Make Way Campaign. This five-year commitment provided $100,000 to the campaign, which helped 50 students, each receiving a $2,000 award.
Recipients of the award were selected based on financial need, academic standing, and the fact that they were a resident of Amherst for at least a year prior to applying.
"Since our initial five-year commitment to the Make Way Campaign ended, the Town has continued contributing annually to NSCC Student Awards, supporting seven students with awards in 2023, and another seven students will receive awards in 2024," shared Kogon.
That will bring the Town's financial support to $128,000 since 2018, which translates to 64 students receiving $2,000 awards to help them in their post-secondary education.
Amherst's NSCC Community Learning Centre provides a range of programs. The Town of Amherst Community Award is open to full and part-time NSCC students enrolled in any year of study in any program at any campus, as long as they have been a resident of Amherst for at least the past year.
"NSCC offers such a variety of programs, and previous recipients of the Town of Amherst Community Award have been enrolled in programs at campuses across the province, including Electrical Engineering, Criminal Justice, Practical Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Continuing Care, and Adult Learning," shared Jocelyn Ollerhead, Manager, Student Services, NSCC Cumberland Campus. "These awards are so meaningful for our students - allowing them to focus a bit less on finances and more on building a brighter future for themselves and their families."
Amherst is currently one of only two municipalities in the province to support a student award at NSCC.
Applications are being accepted for the 2024 Town of Amherst Community Award until October 17. NSCC students from the Amherst area are encouraged to determine their eligibility and consider submitting an application by visiting the student awards section on the NSCC website.
Here is a look at how the Town of Amherst Community Award has made positive impacts on the lives of recipients over the years:
