Nine students who began their studies at USC Moreton Bay this semester were formally presented with Moreton Bay Regional Council Scholarships, worth $8,000 for each year of study, on Saturday 2 April.

The scholarship presentation was held as part of a ceremony at USC Moreton Bay to officially launch the stage two expansion of Australia’s newest university campus, which opened in 2020. It was followed by USC staging its first graduation in the region.

The scholarship recipients were: Imogen Boyce and Ella Taylor (Psychology and Criminology and Justice), Amelia Brooks (Secondary Education and Recreation and Outdoor Environmental Studies), Rory Chester (Psychology Honours), Leynelle D'Penha (Design), Charlotte Johnston (Education and Arts), Jade Meyrick (Primary Education), Emma Pearce and Amber Quick (Nursing Science).

Moreton Bay Regional Council has announced it will extend the scholarship program for a further three years through to 2025, part of a $768,000 investment to help students attend USC’s Moreton Bay and Caboolture campuses.

The extension will allow an additional 21 students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds to receive financial support as they complete their degrees.

In partnership with USC, Council will also provide a new bursary, the Moreton Bay Regional Council Study Support Bursary, to assist continuing and mature aged students.

Up to 48 students will be eligible to receive the bursary to help overcome financial difficulties that they may experience throughout their studies.

With the Moreton Bay region significantly under-represented in higher education, USC Vice- Chancellor Professor Helen Bartlett said the financial support offered through Council’s bursaries and scholarships could be the difference between people taking up higher education or not.

She said the expansion of the scholarship program complemented the University’s mission to create opportunities for all through education.

“We know that this type of targeted support helps to reduce financial pressure on students, allowing them to focus on their studies to achieve their education and career goals,” she said.

“The new bursaries will assist students who are juggling parenting or carer responsibilities, work commitments and unpaid study placements.”

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the expanded scholarship scheme was one of the most generous in the country.

“It will enable 69 students in the region experiencing financial adversity to receive vital funding to start or continue a university degree and take that all-important first step towards their chosen career,” he said.