Southern Cross Cultural Exchange Launches High School Scholarships
A new scholarship program for high school exchange students and a major gift for electrical engineering students at a Florida university are the latest developments in education funding.
Two distinct scholarship initiatives are expanding access to education, one for high school students seeking an international exchange year and another for university students in a specialized engineering field. Each program addresses financial barriers with significant new funding aimed at specific groups of learners.
High School Exchange Scholarships
Southern Cross Cultural Exchange is offering 31 scholarships worth up to $165,000 in total for students aged 14 to 17 from Australia and New Zealand. The Global Explorer program includes one national scholarship valued at up to $15,000 and 30 state-based scholarships worth $5,000 each, with applications closing on 31 January 2027 for departures later that year. The state scholarships are allocated specifically to increase participation in Western Australia, South Australia, and Tasmania, with ten awards available in each of those states.
The program aims to make high school exchange more accessible, as the organization estimates only about 750 Australian students undertake such exchanges annually. SCCE National Director Simon Costain stated the initiative was designed to help more young people experience living and learning abroad. He argued that an exchange year can change what a young person believes is possible. Students live with a host family, attend a local high school, and integrate into a community, developing skills through adaptation and cultural navigation.
The scholarship structure includes six missions to encourage active engagement. Participants must complete acts of kindness, cultural exchange activities, twenty hours of community service, social activities, learn a new skill, and create monthly video reflections. Completing these missions earns a medal, certificate, personalized reference, career coaching, and a digital record. The geographic focus addresses under-representation, aiming to reduce financial barriers and increase awareness in specific states.
Electrical Engineering Endowment
Florida Atlantic University has received a $3.3 million gift from the estate of Maria M. Treto to establish the Pedro Treto and Harry M. Harris Scholarship for electrical engineering students. The endowment, named in memory of Maria Treto's husband and son, will cover the full cost of attendance, including tuition, books, fees, and housing, for students with demonstrated financial need. George Befeler, a trustee of the estate, noted that Maria Treto had always intended to remember the university, describing her son Harry's time there as the best years of his life.
University President Adam Hasner said the generosity creates a lasting tribute while opening doors for future engineers and making a degree more affordable. The funds will support students in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, which works in fields like artificial intelligence, robotics, and cybersecurity. Dean Stella Batalama expressed gratitude, stating the college is honored to carry forward Harry's legacy through the students impacted by this endowed scholarship for generations to come. The gift is intended to help students complete their education without debt.
