Parents forum planned for Coffs Harbour open day

University fees, scholarships and computer needs will be among the topics discussed at a parents’ forum to be held at the Southern Cross University’s (SCU) Coffs Harbour open day.

The open day will be held from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday, August 12, at the Coffs Harbour Education Campus.

The open day will feature two forums, one targeted at parents and the other at prospective mature-age students. There will also be representatives of all the SCU’s schools on hand to provide information about individual courses.

Janet Hanlan, from the SCU’s Marketing and External Relations Department, said the idea of the parents’ forum was to allay some of their fears about university fees.

“We will be able to explain to them how students gain a place at university, how to apply and when they’ll find out if they have a place,” Ms Hanlan said.

“We will also try to dispel some of the myths surrounding the fees.”

While the SCU is still waiting for more details from the Federal Government about university funding, the changes will not impact on students who enrol in 2004 and it is unlikely that there will be any significant rise in fees in most courses at SCU.

Ms Hanlan said university staff would also be able to give parents some information about how to plan a budget for when their children are studying and tips on what computer equipment they will need

Another important issue will be how to apply for scholarships.

“There are a range of scholarships on offer. Now’s the time they should be planning to apply. That is a really important strategy to help students pay for their university education.”

Ms Hanlan said in past years the SCU had allocated 50 residential scholarships to pay for the first year of accommodation on campus and up to 20 other scholarships, with some of them worth more than $15,000.

Applications for scholarships are available from the university or at the website www.scu.edu.au

“Parents and prospective students will be able to come and find out about the full range of courses.”

The forums will be held in the O Block theatre.

For media information contact Sara Crowe or Kath Duncan, Media Liaison, Southern Cross University, Ph: 02 6620 3144, email: scrowe@scu.edu.au.