The Mid-Western Regional Council has committed $30 000 to the Charles Sturt Foundation at Charles Sturt University (CSU) to create an annual scholarship to support local students.   The scholarship will be available to students in any course on any of CSU’s five main campuses at Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange or Wagga Wagga.  The scholarship will be valued at $2 500 per year and will be available to students who reside in the Mid-Western Regional Council area, or who have completed the majority of their high school education there.   The Mid-Western Region covers an area of 9 000 square kilometres, includes the towns of Gulgong, Kandos, Mudgee and Rylstone as well as many rural villages, and features agricultural diversity ranging from producing quality wines to fine wools.   “Council is delighted with this opportunity to help young people from our region to obtain a higher education,” said Mid-Western Region Mayor, Cr Percy Thompson. “Students and their families can face numerous financial challenges in fulfilling their dreams of university study. Many students may not take up the opportunity of tertiary study because of the costs involved.  These costs can include travel, accommodation, textbooks, fees and other living expenses. “More than 100 students from this Region are enrolled each year at one of the five campuses of Charles Sturt University. By funding the Mid-Western Regional Council Scholarship, Council looks forward to helping ease the financial burden of a higher education for someone each year,” said Cr Thompson.   “The generosity of donors who support the Charles Sturt Foundation, such as the Mid-Western Regional Council, is assisting the University to recognise and reward our best and brightest students,” said Ms Jan Hudson, Manager, University Relations for the Charles Sturt Foundation. “Scholarships provide students with an excellent start and on-going support during their studies, as well as providing students with vital industry links.   “The establishment of these scholarships is a demonstration of Mid-Western Regional Council’s support for Charles Sturt University and its students, and an example of a local council providing financial support for its students.”   Businesses interested in supporting the Charles Sturt Foundation should contact the Foundation Office on (02) 6338 4832. Information on CSU scholarships can be found here.