More than 260 secondary students across NSW have received a significant financial boost to their studies in 2016 under the latest round of the Family and Community Services Youth Scholarship Program.

Minister for Family and Community Services Brad Hazzard said the $400,000 program assists students who live in social housing or crisis accommodation, or who are on the NSW Housing Register, to complete their studies.

“As a Government we want to break the cycle of disadvantage and education is a key driver of change for young people’s lives,” Mr Hazzard said.

“We believe in backing young people who work hard at their studies and who often have to navigate barriers and difficulties that most young people never have to deal with.”

The scholarship program helps provide the necessary support for promising students to overcome hardship and reach their academic potential. Previous scholarship winners have gone on to have success at university, with many now working as accomplished professionals.

The scholarship provides a $1,500 grant to assist them in completing their Higher School Certificate or equivalent qualification.

The scholarship funds can be used to purchase items or services which help the student complete the HSC or TAFE equivalent, such as private tuition, IT equipment, text books and study guides. All items purchased must relate to the subjects the student is studying.

The 266 students were selected from 536 applications from across NSW.