• Main round of scholarship applications due Wednesday 5 February
• Current Charles Sturt students and scholarship recipients encourage others to apply
• Students have used scholarship funding to cover costs of accommodation, textbook, relocation costs and general expenses

Scholarship recipients returning to study at Charles Sturt University are encouraging other students to apply for financial assistance before the deadline lapses on Wednesday 5 February.

Charles Sturt has a range of scholarships available to continuing and commencing students to ease the financial burden associated with paying for accommodation, food, travel, relocation expenses and textbooks.

Support is available in one-off payments or continuing financial commitment over a number of years, depending on eligibility and the scholarship conditions.

Past recipients and returning students Miss Mary Munro, Mr Jack Nelson and Mr Tom Murray said receiving a scholarship considerably eased financial pressures and gave them more time to focus on their university work.

Miss Munro from Cumnock, NSW is in her third year of a Bachelor of Education (K-12) at Bathurst and received the CSUgive – Geoff Honey Memorial Scholarship, the Dr Ron Camplin Scholarship OAM and the CSU Excellence Scholarship, totalling $41,000 in financial support.

She said the scholarships enabled her to pay for textbooks, accommodation and commuting costs and gave her the chance to participate in a study program in Austria in January 2020.

“My scholarships have opened so many doors of opportunity for me that would have never otherwise been possible,” she said.

“In many ways my scholarships have alleviated by financial stresses and provided me with the freedom to focus on my personal, educational and professional development.”

Mr Nelson from Rochester, Victoria is a third-year Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management student in Wagga Wagga and received the James McInerney Scholarship.

His advice to students considering applying for scholarships is to take the time to carefully consider each answer.

“Unfortunately, the more significant scholarships overwhelm students, deterring them from applying, which just should not be the case,” he said.

“The questions are not difficult but the responses are worth writing well.”

Mr Murray from Adelong, NSW is a fourth-year Bachelor of Engineering Technology (Civil Systems)/Master of Engineering (Civil Systems) student.

He wasted no time in applying for a scholarship and received the Dr Ron Camplin Scholarship OAM, the Charles Sturt University Foundation Accommodation Scholarship and the Snowy Valleys Council Scholarship.

“I applied for the scholarships straight after being accepted into the course, so probably around late December,” he said.

“Scholarship funds were used to pay for my accommodation while living on campus, for relocations costs and general living expenses.”

With limited time remaining to submit applications, Charles Sturt Director of the Advancement Office Ms Sarah Ansell advises students start looking into scholarships that suit their needs.

“Charles Sturt is committed to giving students the best chance to succeed,” she said.

“The University offers a range of scholarships to support a variety of needs and I encourage students to read through what is available and apply to applicable scholarships.”

A full list of scholarships available at Charles Sturt is on the University website.