A new $30,000 scholarship for Otumoetai College students was announced today.

The Acorn Foundation Robin and Anne Scoular Scholarship will be awarded to a student embarking on a university degree, and will be awarded on the basis of academic merit, motivation to succeed, and financial circumstances.

Dave Randell and Dr Robin Scoular.

The chosen student will receive $30,000 over three years.

Dr Scoular's four children attended Otumoetai College in the 1970's and she wants to make a difference for capable students who may not otherwise have the opportunity to gain a tertiary qualification.

'Many years ago when I was a student myself, I worked in a woolstore, where the supervisor was an extremely talented and intelligent man who had grown up during the Depression years, and had never had the chance of an education.

'That memory has stayed with me, and I like to think that this scholarship will enhance the prospects of young people just like that man in the woolstore.”

The scholarship will be awarded for the first time at the College's prizegiving in November.

Otumoetai College principal Dave Randell is delighted with the news, saying 'It's fantastic that someone from our own college community is providing such a wonderful legacy”.

'We really applaud Dr Scoular's vision and generosity.”