Building resilient regional and remote Queensland communities.
Our Stories
What We’ve Learnt from 10 Years of the QCoal Foundation Scholarship
For the past decade, the QCoal Foundation Scholarship has provided targeted support for students from regional and remote Queensland to pursue higher education at James Cook University (JCU). Since its inception, we have invested over $320,000 in 19 students from 14 regional and remote Queensland communities.
Throughout this ten-year journey, we’ve gained valuable insights into what matters most when breaking down barriers to education and supporting regional and remote students and communities. One of the great strengths of long-term programs like this is the learnings they generate, and today we’re proud to share what we’ve discovered.
If you have a vision for your own scholarship program, we trust that this article will provide you with practical tips and encouragement.
- Size Scholarships to Match Impact
We believe in the importance of scholarships being set at a level that genuinely supports students to focus on their studies. For regional and remote students, this includes factoring in costs such as relocation and adjusting to life away from their home communities.
To ensure the QCoal Foundation Scholarship is aligned with the actual costs students are facing, we regularly benchmark against other scholarships and ask our partner, JCU, to provide guidance on cost of living for students.
- Approach the Right Partner
Once you have a clear vision and goal for your scholarship program, identify an institution that excels in that area and collaborate with them. Focus on amplifying excellence, rather than trying to compete or reinvent learnings that already exist.
The right partner should share your purpose, goals, and vision, and have a proven track record of delivery and impact. Look for a trusted organisation who demonstrates a genuine commitment to collaboration and to those you aim to support.
In our experience, we chose to partner with James Cook University (JCU) because we recognised their excellence in supporting and developing regional and remote students, economies and communities. They shared our vision of building resilient regional and remote Queensland communities, and their alumni data demonstrated their dedication to driving real, measurable change.
- Scholarships are More Than Just Money
For many recipients, the QCoal Foundation Scholarship represents a powerful source of confidence, motivation, and validation. Through our alumni network we’ve learned that the assurance of knowing someone truly believes in their potential can be a catalyst for long term academic, personal and professional success.
“[The scholarship] gave me confidence by recognising my commitment and my work ethic. It helped me realise that I’m capable of achieving big things and that belief helped me stay motivated throughout the more challenging parts of university.” – Jamie Ahearn, 2023 QCoal Foundation Scholarship Recipient
“This scholarship is a great weight off your shoulders, it allows you to focus on your studies, so you can get the best out of your studies and moving on into the workforce, I’m still feeling the effects of that today.” – Patrick Jurgens, 2020 Scholarship Recipient
The experience of Jamie, Patrick and many others show the power of scholarships to not only alleviate financial stress, but also instil confidence, inspire perseverance, and create lasting benefits beyond the scholarship period.
Alongside our scholarship recipients, students who received bursaries through the program reported a real sense of pride and fulfilment when their academic excellence and community involvement were acknowledged.
“Receiving the bursary made me feel like my goals are valid and my dedication is appreciated.” – Billie Cummings, 2024 QCoal Foundation Bursary Recipient
“I was very lucky to get the bursary and that demonstrated to myself that I’ve got something to contribute, and I’d better make the most of that.” – Rhys Malcolm, 2018 QCoal Foundation Bursary Recipient
These reflections demonstrate that even smaller financial amounts can have a meaningful impact in encouraging promising students.
Consider how early engagement with your chosen cohort through smaller bursaries can achieve meaningful outcomes while you build your scholarship program over time.
- Aligning Scholarships with Purpose
We have learned that the impact of the QCoal Foundation Scholarship extends well beyond financial and personal support and helps to strengthen entire communities. By supporting passionate individuals, we invest in the future prosperity of regional areas, as recipients contribute their skills, knowledge, and leadership to these areas after graduation. This focus on ‘giving back’ is central to the scholarship’s purpose.
The primary aim of the QCoal Foundation Scholarship is to identify candidates who have a demonstrated desire to return to regional and remote communities after graduation. This aim guides both the assessment process and the application questions. This means factors such as degree preference and academic achievement, while important considerations, are not the primary focus of the assessment committee.
We are proud to see that our alumni are contributing meaningfully to local economies and communities right across the country. Of the QCoal Foundation Scholarship and Bursary Recipients:
- 88% live and work in regional and remote Queensland
- 94% live and work in regional and remote Australia
- 100% are employed by organisations operating in regional and remote Australia [1]
For those considering the most effective scholarship design, we recommend selecting a primary focus and ensuring that both the application and assessment processes are aligned with that focus. Introducing too many eligibility criteria or application hurdles can limit access to applicants who are most likely to achieve the scholarship’s intended purpose.
- Fostering Equity in Action
Scholarships are a powerful and practical tool for promoting equity in educational settings through targeted programs intentionally supporting students from under-represented backgrounds. The QCoal Foundation Scholarship, for example, focuses on regional and remote students who often face greater financial and logistical barriers to tertiary education, such as relocating from their home communities.
When we invest in these students, we help build a more inclusive university community that reflects the rich variety of people, experiences, and perspectives from across Queensland. This diversity strengthens learning environments, enriches campus culture, and ultimately cultivates a broader, more resilient workforce. In this way, scholarships play a key role in leveling the playing field and shaping a more equitable and vibrant future.
If you are considering your own scholarship program, we encourage you to be clear about the student group your scholarship is intended to support, and tailor the application process accordingly. This will include how the scholarship is marketed and communicated to your target audience. In the case of the QCoal Foundation Scholarship, this means targeted outreach to schools and community groups in regional and remote areas, as well as promotion through regional media and social media channels.
- The Power of Staying Connected
We believe that awarding the scholarship is just the beginning. Long-term impact comes from fostering strong, lasting relationships with alumni through events, professional networks, and shared opportunities. Building this supportive, interconnected community provides value during university and continues to support alumni well into their careers.
This engagement delivers dual benefits: it assists alumni while also strengthening the scholarship program itself by enabling us to track outcomes, learn from alumni experiences, and evaluate the program based on evolving needs. For the QCoal Foundation, this connection helps us ensure the scholarship remains relevant, meaningful, and focused on delivering genuine outcomes for both individuals and regional communities.
When designing a scholarship program, fostering community and incorporating multiple touchpoints to engage with recipients is an effective way to ensure they feel valued and supported throughout their transition to tertiary study and their broader journey. Tools such as LinkedIn can help maintain these connections both during and after the scholarship period.
Looking Ahead
These learnings reaffirm the need for ongoing, targeted investment in scholarships, particularly for regional and remote students. Financial barriers should never stand in the way of education, opportunity, or the development of the next generation.
If you’re considering launching an education initiative or seeking ways to improve access to education, we hope these learnings offer valuable insights into the power of targeted support, the importance of meaningful engagement, and the most effective ways to make lasting impact.
We look forward to continuing this journey and invite others who share our commitment to education, equity, and regional communities to join us in making a difference.
You can learn more about the QCoal Foundation Scholarship HERE.
[1] QCoal Foundation 10 Years of the QCoal Foundation Scholarship Impact Report (2025)
