First Foundation

Oliver Ball couldn't read until Year 5, was failing most of his classes in Year 10, and wasn't sure university was even in his future.

"When I was younger, I never really thought of myself getting too far."

Then in Year 11, he found out scholarships existed.

This year, the Whangārei Boys' High School student with autism became the first in his family to earn a place at university

Heading to Waikato to study criminology and sociology on a $28,000 L'Oréal NZ scholarship through First Foundation.

Ask him what he's most excited about, and it's not the money. It's the mentor, a dedicated guide walking beside him through the most pivotal years of his life, real work experience, and a network he didn't know he could belong to.

Thank you for making it possible.

"If you just apply yourself more… you can just do a lot more."

Read Oliver's full story, as told by / :

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/on-the-up-whangarei-boys-high-school-student-with-autism-wins-first-foundation-scholarship/BG3HTZMWUVH77CE56QWHC4DEFQ/