An inspirational message about second chances has won Ms Kristine Felix $30 000 to study with Charles Sturt University (CSU) Online.

Ms Felix's winning entry in CSU Online's Think Again competition was a quote from Irene, a resident of the nursing home where Ms Felix works.

Sadly, Irene passed away in 2015 but her message that "there's always a second chance" inspired Ms Felix to try to follow her passion for caring and helping others into a university degree qualification.

Ms Felix's quote and accompanying image of Irene was voted the best of 350 entries and entitles her to $30 000 to put towards study-related expenses such as textbooks and technology, university fees or even accommodation and travel.

She said she was really very happy to win the Think Again competition because "I was beginning to think university study was just not meant to be for me".

"Since I migrated to Australia in 2011 from the Philippines I have studied many short courses but my dream of university study has always been simply too expensive," Ms Felix said.

"My passions are caring and working in the community, which I have been able to fulfil working in nursing homes and as a community disability carer for people with acute brain injuries. But I have been wanting to take the next step in my career.

"I entered the competition thinking I had nothing to lose and now I am very happy to have the change to finally study at university and I don't want to waste this opportunity."

For Ms Felix, Irene was a particularly memorable resident whom she cared for at a Liverpool nursing home in Sydney.

"Irene was soft-spoken, sweet and polite. She would always wait for me and the other carers to come to attend to her and was very patient," Ms Felix said.

"Because I have an interest in photography I would take photographs of our residents from time to time and the picture of Irene is one of my favourites. I asked her for one piece of advice and that was when she told me 'there's always a second chance'.

"Now I know she was right."

CSU Senior Manager, Strategic Development Ms Jennifer Galloway said, "We were overwhelmed by the quality of the photographs and the 350 entries we received. All of them embodied through pictures and words why the opportunity to study online and rethink your life and career through further education is so powerful.

"Charles Sturt University is thrilled to be able to help someone like Kristine realise her dream of university study and the chance to change her life for the better."

The Think Again competition was a continuation of a CSU marketing campaign aimed at inspiring people to overcome whatever has held them back from taking on further study or making a career transformation.

CSU Online has more than 350 courses to choose from and a subject designed especially for those people who haven't studied online before or have taken a long break from study.