Make it rain - relief for regional students

At Charles Sturt University, we have our roots firmly in regional Australia. Across three decades, we have contributed to the health, wealth and prosperity of our communities. We've helped to generate agricultural sustainability and provide access to professional education and services. We support research for the development of powerful communities and direct economic impact. We also know the uniquely regional challenges that can have an impact on a student's ability to attend university. Bushfires and drought, limited financial support, and being the first-in-family can impact a student's capacity to study at uni. Through our work with students directly impacted by drought, we heard time and again of the need for students to be close to the family property. Students needed to be there to assist with hand feeding stock, and there was a diminishing opportunity for other work in the community. So using generous donations provided by individuals, companies and organisations, the Charles Sturt Foundation established the Rural Relief Scholarship. Six $5,000 scholarships were awarded to students from farming families or rural communities whose ability to attend or complete university was being impacted by ongoing drought conditions.

Learn more csu.edu.au/scholarships

Elizabeth Bilton, physiotherapy student and scholarship recipient

“I am writing to thank you for offering me the Charles Sturt Foundation Rural Relief Scholarship. Words can’t begin to let you know how truly grateful I am. My family has been greatly affected by the drought, which has been relentless over the past two years. The scholarship will enable me to purchase a new laptop and textbooks. Importantly, it will also allow me to continue to help my family with feeding cattle and I don't feel pressured to find a part-time job.”