• Charles Sturt hosted scholarship ceremony in Albury-Wodonga on Tuesday 25 May
• The University awarded more than $1.8 million worth of scholarships, with $206,800 going to students studying in Albury-Wodonga
• Recipients said the scholarships will relieve personal and financial pressure

The generosity of others has meant selected Charles Sturt University students have one less thing to worry about as they embark on or continue their higher education journey.

A scholarship ceremony in Albury-Wodonga on Tuesday 25 May saw 25 scholarships awarded to almost 40 students.

More than $1.8 million in scholarships has been awarded by Charles Sturt University, with $206,800 of that going to students in Albury-Wodonga.

Second-year Bachelor of Occupational Therapy student Miss Sarah Knight was born in Young but grew up in Grenfell on her family’s farm.

She is currently studying in Albury-Wodonga, aided by a Charles Sturt Foundation Rural Relief Scholarship.

“During high school, our careers advisor was a huge advocate for applying for scholarships,” Miss Knight said.

“She had witnessed what an immense difference being awarded a scholarship could make and was passionate that her students would be able to have access to as many opportunities for further study as possible.”

Miss Knight grew up surrounded by the unpredictable nature of life on the land and with the environmental and financial impacts of the drought coupled with changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, she said saving for university was difficult.

“Receiving this scholarship has had an enormous impact on my ability to study,” she said.

“My course offers an incredible amount of work placement opportunities … and with this comes a myriad of expenses.

“The scholarship has meant I truly have to make the most of these times in the field, and am feeling more able to take on challenges and engage in the learning process rather than worry about the financial aspects of placement.”

Fourth-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy student Miss Madison Kew (pictured) received the Widgiewa School Scholarship and the Charles Sturt University Foundation Scholarship.

Miss Kew was born in Wagga Wagga but grew up in Coolamon and has always wanted to study and work in a health-related industry.

She was accepted into physiotherapy, which she said combined her passion for health and wellness and participation in sports, and had previously heard about scholarships while working at Charles Sturt University.

“My degree requires more than 27 weeks total of unpaid work placement,” she said.

“I had hoped to receive funds to help me through this time and take some of the financial stress away.

“The scholarships mean that I don’t have to work late nights while being on work placement and it gives me extra time to get my assignments done, complete modules and catch up on research.”

A full list of scholarships offered by Charles Sturt is available on the University’s website.