The Shanghai Charity Foundation yesterday granted scholarships to 80 middle school and college students who belong to the country's ethnic minorities.

Each student received 2,500 yuan (US$308).

This is the first time the foundation has set up a scholarship specifically for ethnic minority students.

The students, who are members of 16 ethnic minority groups and originally hail from 20 provinces and municipalities, are studying at 28 middle school and colleges in the city.

"Compared with other students, they usually face tougher financial challenges, as many are from under-developed areas," said Liu Shuying of the foundation. "We hope the money can help the hardworking students."

Liu said the foundation will pare down its annual grant program next year to focus strictly on college students as many middle schools offer tuition waivers to poor students.

Aypaxia, a student at East China Normal University who is a member of the Uygur ethnic group, said that despite having a part-time job, it is tough to make ends meet in Shanghai. "I'll use the money to pursue a minor," said Aypaxia. "I hope it can help me with my job hunt."

The city is home to nearly 10,000 ethnic minority students from all over the country.

(Shanghai Daily September 19, 2005)