In recognition of the growing cost for university students and their parents in tertiary education, for the first time Charles Sturt University is offering financial assistance to students in accommodation on CSU campuses.

"CSU is aware of the much higher costs incurred by students who must relocate from rural areas to attend university," said the University's Equity Officer, Dr Jane Ross.

In 2000, the University will offer 10 scholarships to new students who will live in student accommodation on the Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst or Wagga Campuses. Students will receive over $1000 in benefits, which will substantially assist in paying accommodation costs.

"CSU accommodation already costs less than that offered by metropolitan universities, with self-catered residences from as low as $70 per week. A scholarship holder will face even lower costs," Dr Ross said.

All study bedrooms on CSU campuses are fully furnished and most have separate telephone and computer connections.

The scholarships are aimed at students from rural and isolated areas. To be eligible, students must be receiving Youth Allowance or show evidence of low income. Further consideration will be given to educational disadvantages such as disabilities, being of non-English speaking background, or being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent.

"In this case, scholarships are not judged on academic achievement," Dr Ross said.

Applications close on 3 January 2000.

CSU's Albury-Wodonga Campus will offer student accommodation for the first time in 2000. Four ecologically sensitive cottages, totalling 32 fully furnished bedrooms, were constructed during 1999 on the Thurgoona campus.

The rammed earth buildings, complete with solar heating and recycled timber, are built on a site that has already won three NSW awards for its innovative water management and water recycling system.

ends

Media notes:

• For more details on CSU's accommodation assistance, contact Dr Jane Ross on (02) 6051 6971 or email jross@csu.edu.au.
• Click here to see more on the award-winning Thurgoona Campus.

Thursday 9 December 1999

In recognition of growing costs for university students and their parents, Charles Sturt University is offering 10 scholarships to help students with accommodation on CSU campuses in Albury-Wodonga, Bathurst and Wagga. The scholarships are aimed at students from rural and isolated areas and who are educationally disadvantaged because of economic circumstances, language or descent. Students will receive over $1000 in benefits, which will assist substantially in paying accommodation costs at CSU. Applications close on 3 January 2000. For details and application forms, contact Jane Ross at Charles Sturt University on telephone (02) 6051 6971.