Future bright for school leaver after winning $6500 NMIT Scholarship

For 19-year-old Lily Barlow, winning a $6500 Scholarship last year to go towards her study fees means she’s not only set up for study success but a debt free future as well when she graduates.

“I should have little to no debt when I finish my Commerce Degree(external link),” says Lily, “getting this scholarship has enabled me to stay in Nelson and study and that’s really cut my costs overall.”

Lily will continue to live at home with her parents while she studies and although she will keep her part time job at a local supermarket, won’t have the stress of mounting student debt or having to work long hours while she completes her degree.

“I won’t have to spend as much time working and can instead focus on my studies and getting good grades,” says Lily.

Not having to deal with the stress of moving to a new city and set up from scratch while trying to find suitable accommodation is also a big relief for Lily.

“I thought about going to Canterbury but after doing the numbers realised it was a much better option for me to stay in Nelson and do my degree here at NMIT.”

Lily applied for several scholarships last year and says the application process was really easy.

“All I needed to do was write a bit about myself and then get some references,” says Lily, “my accounting teacher at Nayland College and boss at work were more than happy to support my application.”

Lily says the smaller class sizes and one-on-one tutoring at NMIT has had a really positive impact on her first year of learning.

“Tutors are more involved, and you have discussions with them all the time to help you understand more,” says Lily, “At university, you’re just listening to someone give a lecture.”

Lily now has her intentions set on securing a placement with a local Nelson chartered accountants’ firm and one day, in the not-too-distant future, thanks to being debt free, owning her own home.

2023 scholarships are now open, learn more at NMIT.ac.nz/scholarships(external link)