• New scholarships valued at $5,000 per year to a maximum of $20,000 over a four-year undergraduate degree for students
• Scholarships will assist first-year regional students living in specific LGAs near the Inland Rail project alignment
• Inland Rail scholarships will give students an opportunity to pursue careers which enrich, diversify and contribute to regional economies

Charles Sturt University (Charles Sturt) welcomes a new scholarship agreement with the Australian Rail Track Corporation Ltd (ARTC), which will provide financial assistance to a number of the University’s first-year students over the course of their degrees.

The ARTC Inland Rail Scholarship Program NSW is worth a total of $147,000 over two years for first-year domestic students studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses or other careers needed to support regional economies and communities.

The Inland Rail scholarships will provide seven scholarships over two years (2020 and 2021) to support undergraduate students from nominated local government areas (LGAs) in regional NSW, undertaking STEM-related study on any Charles Sturt campus.

Director of Charles Sturt Advancement Ms Sarah Ansell said, “I welcome this wonderful new scholarship agreement to assist students with the costs associated with completing their degrees.

“Each scholarship is valued at $5,000 per year to a maximum of $20,000 over a four-year undergraduate degree.

“For commencing students, an additional one-off $1,000 payment will be awarded for relocation and first-year study expenses.

“These scholarships will give students an opportunity to pursue careers which enrich and diversify regional economies, and contribute positively to their communities’ and regions’ prosperity and social cohesion.

“Regional students living near the Inland Rail project alignment, Indigenous people, and those experiencing financial and personal hardship are strongly encouraged to apply for the Inland Rail Scholarship Program NSW.”

The eligible LGAs include:

City of Albury, Greater Hume, City of Wagga Wagga, Junee, Temora, Bland, Weddin, Forbes, Parkes, Narromine, Dubbo, Gilgandra, Warren, Coonamble, Narrabri, Warrumbungle, Moree Plains, Gwydir, and Goondiwindi.

The scholarships will be open to regional first-year applicants only for 2020 (international students or those living outside the eligible LGAs are not eligible to apply).

Ms Chelsea Harris from Inland Rail will attend the Open Day at Charles Sturt in Orange on Friday 6 September.

Other universities participating in the ARTC Inland Rail Scholarship Program are the University of Southern Queensland and La Trobe University. Charles Sturt University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Visit the scholarships page on the Charles Sturt website to find out more.