• Charles Sturt creates new scholarship fund to help current and future students impacted by the bushfires with their studies in 2020
• The University will fund six scholarships worth $5,000 each, contributing $30,000 in total to the fund
• Community members can make donations to fund further scholarships and Charles Sturt will match all external donations dollar for dollar

Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) is calling on members of the University’s community and the public to donate to a new scholarship fund which will help students impacted by the bushfires with their studies in 2020.

The newly-created Charles Sturt Bushfire Scholarship is open to the University’s commencing and continuing students, and each scholarship is worth up to $5,000.

Charles Sturt Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said the University will fund six scholarships, worth $30,000 in total, which will provide vital financial support to help students affected by the bushfires.

“The recent bushfires are causing devastation and destruction to many regions in which our students live and work,” Professor Vann said.

“Some of our students have been displaced – some of them have lost everything, and this can greatly affect whether they can continue or pursue further education next year.

“At Charles Sturt University, we want every student to succeed in their pursuit of education and meet their education goals. 

“To alleviate some of the financial pressure on our current and commencing during this tough time, we have introduced six Charles Sturt Bushfire Scholarships, and we will match every external dollar donated to the scholarship fund to create even more scholarships.”

The new scholarship appeal comes after the University opened its doors to more than 250 firefighters in Port Macquarie.

During the firefighters’ stay, local businesses and members of the community donated supplies and volunteered at the University’s campus to help feed and support the firefighters.

The fires in the Mid North Coast region resulted in the closure of the Charles Sturt campus in Port Macquarie for two days last week to ensure student and staff safety.

Professor Vann said he was pleased the University could support the firefighters who bravely battled the blazes in the Mid North Coast and throughout New South Wales, and it was the community spirit during the bushfires that inspired the idea for the Charles Sturt Bushfire Scholarship

“The Charles Sturt University community are grateful for the tremendous efforts of firefighters across the country,” Professor Vann said.

“It was remarkable to see the University, our students and the local community rally together to support the firefighters, and now we want to extend that community spirit to help our students who have been impacted by the bushfires.

“I encourage the University’s staff and students and anyone in a position to make a donation, to make a contribution, no matter how small, to the Bushfire Scholarship fund.

“Each donation will make a significant difference to the lives of those students impacted by the bushfires.”

Further information about the Charles Sturt Bushfire Scholarship, and how to donate, is available on the University’s website.