Kerry McCluskey
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Aug 26/02) - Thanks to a new pot of money, learning could be less stressful for Nunavut beneficiaries.

Run by the Nunavut Implementation Training Committee (NITC), the Nunavut Beneficiaries Scholarships Program aims to help Inuit get the advanced educational they need.

Students must be Nunavut beneficiaries, enrolled in a full-time university or college program, maintain a full course load and keep a 60 per cent average while receiving the scholarship.

The field of study must relate to business, management, resource management, community development, culture or social sciences.

Alongside NITC, Nunavut Tunngavik and the territory's three regional Inuit organizations are sponsoring the program as part of their efforts to implement the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.

NTI president Cathy Towtongie applauded the program as a worthy tool in the struggle to get improved education levels in Nunavut.

"I sincerely hope this will make it easier for them," said Towtongie, who put herself through school more than 20 years ago by sewing.

Towtongie remembers how difficult it was waiting for the money to come in and how that made completing her education even more of a challenge.

"We're supporting students wholeheartedly to complete their education. I hope this scholarship gives them the feeling they're not alone and that we're fully behind them," said Towtongie.

The deadline to apply for fall courses is Sept. 1 and Dec. 15 for winter courses.

Students enrolled in a degree program can receive $2,400 a year while those pursuing a diploma are eligible for $1,500.

Applications are available at NTI offices.