Financial support for uni students

A WEEKLY three-hundred-dollar support package will assist Federation University’s on-campus higher education pupils to continue studying if the coronavirus pandemic has affected them.

Initially receiving financial assistance for five weeks, those eligible may not have access to the internet or IT equipment they need. They may have had financial hardship as a result of self-isolation, mandated quarantine, reduced employment, or having no personal or annual leave accessible.

The due date for fees will be moved back and those living on campus will also gain some financial help.

FedUni vice chancellor and president, Professor Helen Bartlett said many casual workers in their student community are feeling the “strain” of COVID-19.

“The wellbeing of our students is always our number one priority. This support package will help our students continue their studies during these difficult times, whether that’s through financial assistance or providing emotional support through free counselling and other services,” she said.

“Now, more than ever, we need to support our students. They are our future teachers, nurses, social workers and other vital professions that will help us recover from this pandemic.

“We are the number one university in Victoria for student support and this COVID-19 assistance package for our students clearly demonstrates that.”

Students must be currently enrolled in an on-campus higher education course to benefit.

The tertiary institution moved to online teaching and learning practices in late March, with support services like counselling and the library, also now just online and by phone. Phone counselling is free for students.