The program, which has been running for over half a decade, offers six scholarships worth $A10,000 each.

Along with the financial support, the program offers mentoring and networking opportunities for geology, environmental science, engineering and metallurgy students at WA's top three universities.

A high drop-out rate among mining students was one of the driving forces behind the scholarship's creation several years ago, and beyond that WA Mining Club president Neil Watson said mining students often faced unique challenges.

"It's a matter of what the employment prospects are moving forward, but also for the WA School of Mines students, the need to relocate to Kalgoorlie can make it difficult for them if they're not able to generate income at the same time to support living away from home," he said.

With expansions in the mining sector winding down, Watson said some of the enthusiasm had eked out of mining studies.

"A number of people would have enrolled and started when there was a boom time for the mining disciplines but obviously in that time the employment prospects have reduced," he said.

"A number of the second and third year students have also found it very difficult to get vacation work."

Previous winner Carina Daly, who won the 2013 geology scholarship, said the mood amongst mining students was mixed at present, and while few geology students were dropping out many future engineers had their sights set on other pathways.

"At Curtin they do a first year general engineering course, then at the end of that you decide what you'd like to specialise in," she said.

"Whenever I talk to first years they seem to think their only options are civil and mechanical. I think the mining scholarship really gives them that other opportunity to see that there's more out there for them."

It's not all doom and gloom for mining students though, with engineering graduates in particular still in short supply.

The scholarship will go some way to making sure these students not only finish their studies but also find work in the industry.

On this front the mentoring and networking side of the program is even more helpful, particularly for students looking to securer vacation work or future job opportunities.

"It's aimed to help guide students in their decisions, and provide networking opportunities as they start out in their working life," Watson said.

"It's very much a matter of getting a leg into working life and being able to make connections with people in the industry."

Both aspects of the scholarship work hand in hand, and Daly said overall the program had been a huge help.

"It's given me a bit more leeway because I haven't had to work so I've been able to focus on my studies. It's also given me more time to do the extra-curricular activities as well," she said.

"That's taken a lot of pressure off; and the networking opportunities have been great."

While this year's applicants are still going through the judging phase applications will be open again next year, and Watson said students weren't just judged on their grades.

"Our scholarships aren't just based on the academic record. Part of it is looking at attitude as well as academic, but also assisting remote students also comes into consideration," he said.

"It's not purely academic but certainly past winners have been extremely motivated and good performers in their fields."

The program has continued to grow over the past few years, with several long-term sponsors such as BC Iron and Western Areas sticking with it.

Watson said most companies saw the value of investing in students, which represented the future of the industry, and the Mining Club was keen to keep the program in full swing.

"We're certainly committed to it and we're working to build our scholarship program and keep trying to ensure the opportunities for future students to be part of an industry that's certainly looked after a lot of people over time," he said.