USC’s highest scholarship honour has been presented to Bundaberg State High School graduate Indy Burt.

The 17-year-old started a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) at USC’s Sunshine Coast campus in February and was one of six high-achieving first-year students to be awarded Thompson Excellence Scholarships at a special ceremony on campus last week (13 March).

Indy graduated last year as the senior dux of the school with an OP1 and will receive funding of $32,000 over the course of his four-year degree.

The scholarships are funded through a $5million donation made to the University by Roy and Nola Thompson in 2015.

Indy, who plans to specialise in structural engineering when he graduates, said the funding support meant a lot to him.

“Not only is it an honour to be receiving the scholarship but it is the ultimate reward for all of the work I put into my senior schooling,” he said.

“The scholarship money will allow me to study at university without the worry of a substantial HECS debt, meaning that I am one step ahead when I enter the workforce in four years’ time.”