Bank of Ireland Making the Future Brighter for Students facing Challenge to Education 57 Students prepare to embark on the opportunity of a lifetime as Millennium Scholarships are awarded

57 Students prepare to embark on the opportunity of a lifetime as Millennium Scholarships are awarded

Millennium Scholarship Fund of €12.5 Million to continue until 2009

Bank of Ireland will today Monday October 17th reward the endeavours of 57 talented students with scholarships from its Millennium Scholars Trust. Established to broaden access to third level education, this year's scholar recipients have been given a significant boost by the trust that will award them with scholarships ranging in value from €3, 200 per annum to a maximum of € 38,000 for the duration of their studies.  This money greatly relieves the financial burden of college life for the students involved in the programme, all of whom faced barriers to achieving their academic goals.

The scholarships awarded today total €968k and bring the overall amount allocated by the Trust over the past six years to an impressive €5.5m.  Education is a goal worth fighting for and the Millennium Scholars Trust Awards ceremony is an occasion to celebrate and congratulate this year's students on their determination to pursue this goal.  

Brian Goggin, CEO, Bank of Ireland commented:'The Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust is proud to be able to assist such willing and deserving students in their academic careers and we wish them the best of luck in their continued studies. Over the past five years the Trust has had the privilege of being able to award scholarships to some to 356 truly remarkable students and this years recipients are no exception.'

Scholarship recipients differ widely in profile from freshers to students currently in third level education, and beyond to mature students entering college for the first time. Programmes of study expand the range of academic courses from humanities to equine science to studies abroad in the creative arts.

The Millennium Scholars Trust is not only about providing financial support.   An invaluable 'Student Mentor' programme is in place to ease the often difficult transition to third level student life. A large number of Bank of Ireland staff volunteer as mentors to provide assistance and support to the scholars on an ongoing basis.

Ends

Date: 17th October 2005

For Further Information contact:
Dorothy Gray, Millennium Scholars Trust Manager, Bank of Ireland,
(01) 671 2204 or (086) 377 3979

Anne Matthews, Media Relations Manager, Bank of Ireland,
(01) 604 3836 or (087) 246 0358

Note to Editors:
The Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust was established in November 1999 to provide substantial funding to talented individuals who wish to pursue further education, but who are prevented from doing so by economic, social or physical barriers.  The Bank of Ireland Group has allocated €12.5 million to fund the Trust, which is governed by a board of independent Trustees.  It is expected to award 600 scholarships up to 2009, making it the largest single millennium initiative from either State or private sources and the largest privately funded scholarship scheme.

National College of Ireland administer the Bank of Ireland Millennium Scholars Trust on behalf of the Bank.  Applications for scholarships are supported by over 900 registered Nominating Bodies including schools, universities, local community groups and arts and cultural groups.  The Nominating Bodies are key to the high calibre of applications received.

For more information :www.boi.ie/millenniumscholars