A total of 175 school children have been assisted by the Fiji New Zealand Education Trust this year.

New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Fiji Peter Lund said they received close to 600 applications for assistance and the committee decided to help 175 needy children throughout Fiji.

Lund said each year the funding covers the cost of school fees and to date more than $100,000 has been disbursed to support needy children.

He said the assistance will continue next year.