The need
The University is increasingly recognising that the financial stress experienced by many current students is having a real impact on their university experience and their ability to complete their studies.
To undertake a university education, students need to be very committed and many will experience a high level of financial pressure, as a result of:
- rising ongoing costs
- increased need to work excessive hours while studying
- compulsory work placement activity and costs
- regional disadvantage
- carer's responsibilities
This financial burden experienced by the student body at the University will continue to increase over time unless it is addressed in a strategic and comprehensive way.
Meeting the need
To respond to the need for increased financial support for students, the UniSC Study Support Bursary has been established through private donations.
A special fund for gifts has been established to support the Bursary.
Aims of the Bursary
The intention of the Bursary is to:
- support equity groups from low socio-economic backgrounds with demonstrated financial need, and preference for students who need employment to support their studies
- encourage recipients to apply more time to their studies, with less focus on paid employment
- increase retention and encourage academic achievement of students from low socio-economic backgrounds
How you can help
The UniSC Study Support Bursary Fund is a pooled fund made up of donations of all amounts, including private donations and funds raised via Starfish Staff Giving and UniSC's Giving Day, G-Day.
The more funds available for students, the more bursaries USC can award.
It is proposed that, over time, a proportion of funds will be invested so that the USC Study Support Bursary will exist in perpetuity. In this way, students will be helped for many years to come.
The University welcomes gifts of any amount to support this initiative. Donations can be made by cheque, credit card or direct deposit. To donate, please visit our How to give page. Donations over A$2 are tax deductible in Australia.
While gifts of every size are important and valued, the University recognises significant annual gifts which make a crucial impact for our students. Unless anonymity is requested, qualifying donors are recognised on the UniSC Chancellery donor wall (Building C).
By displaying the names of generous donors, UniSC hopes to inspire students and others to consider giving back to their community, in whatever way they choose.
About the Bursary
How the Bursary works
Each Bursary has a value of A$2000 or A$4,000. Recipients are paid in regular instalments throughout the academic semester, to assist with regular costs relating to their studies (eg groceries, transport, internet charges and textbooks).
Applications are invited annually via UniSC Scholarships. Visit Scholarships for more information on how to apply.
Student recipients may be invited to meet the donors of the Study Bursary at a nominated time during the academic year. They may also have the opportunity to receive support via career counselling seminars, aimed to assist students with goal setting and preparation completing their studies and commencing their new careers.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Bursary, applicants must fulfill the following criteria:
- be a domestic student who is currently active in an undergraduate degree program at the University
- be enrolled full-time unless exceptional circumstances exist preventing full-time enrolment. Exceptional circumstances may include being a person with a disability or having significant carer responsibilities
- have completed at least one full-time semester (48 units) in good academic standing (with a grade average of at least 4.0)
- ability to demonstrate financial need
- ability to demonstrate hours worked in paid employment or commitment to non-study related activities that impact on the time available for them to study (eg carer responsibilities)
Academic merit is used to assess candidates if a decision cannot be made on the above criteria. Special consideration may be given to support students outside the eligibility criteria.
Eligibility for ongoing payment of the second semester instalment of the Bursary will be dependent on continuing enrolment and achieving good academic standing in the first semester of payment. Recipients may reapply for further Bursary support after two semesters of assistance.
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