A RECORD amount of financial assistance has been offered to Federation University students this year.<\/p>\n
Across all campuses, 309 scholarships awarded a total of more than $1 million of support.<\/p>\n
Four scholarships were offered when the university was forned in 2014 and this year’s figure is an increase on 2024’s 245 scholarships.<\/p>\n
Ballarat students received 166 of this year’s scholarships, which will assist students with the cost of textbooks, petrol, groceries and computers.<\/p>\n
Ballarat Diploma of Nursing student Megan Roe received a staff-funded TAFE scholarship, which has enabled her to buy the textbooks she needs and to travel to and from class.<\/p>\n
Ms Roe has cystic fibrosis, which can make transport challenging.<\/p>\n
“Before the scholarship, I was having to miss days because I couldn’t afford to get to class, and now I can get there financially stress-free,” she said.<\/p>\n
“After growing up in hospitals, I knew I was interested in healthcare and wanted to make a change in the health industry.”<\/p>\n
The diploma is Ms Roe’s first step towards her dream of studying medicine.<\/p>\n
“When you’ve got CF, by 16 you’re administering your own medication and starting to know your body and the signs of illness just like a doctor would,” she said. “I would really like to create a positive impact for people in that situation.”<\/p>\n
Of this year’s scholarship recipients, one in three have an ongoing illness or disability.<\/p>\n
Sixty per cent are experiencing acute financial hardship, and 47 per cent have experienced domestic or family violence.<\/p>\n
“We are proud to give students the support they need to give life to their aspirations,” Federation University vice-chancellor and president Professor Duncan Bentley said.<\/p>\n
“This year’s record number of scholarships would not be possible without the support of generous donors, and we thank them for helping to transform the lives of Federation students.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A RECORD amount of financial assistance has been offered to Federation University students this year. Across all campuses, 309 scholarships awarded a total of more than $1 million of support. Four scholarships were offered when the university was forned in 2014 and this year’s figure is an increase on 2024’s 245 scholarships. Ballarat students received […]<\/p>\n