Southern Cross University scholarships give students a head start

Southern Cross University has a wide range of scholarships available for 2006, offering students the opportunity to get a head-start with their studies.

SCU Vice-Chancellor's undergraduate scholarships and SCU industry scholarships are designed to reward outstanding academic achievement. There are also undergraduate equity scholarships, to provide assistance for hardship, and postgraduate scholarships.

Vice-Chancellor's scholarships provide students, who are starting full-time on campus study, with $5000 a year for three years in a course of their choice.

Industry scholarships range from $2000 to $8000 per year for up to three years, for full-time study on campus at Southern Cross University, and are available for selected Bachelor and Honours degree programs. These scholarships stem from the support of SCU's partners in industry, both locally and nationally, and are available at each of the three campuses in Lismore, Coffs Harbour and Tweed Gold Coast.

Alstonville's Sam Newnham, 21, said she was surprised but thrilled to receive a phone call a few days before Christmas at the end of her HSC year, advising her of a successful scholarship application.

"It was a great present. I have chosen to use the scholarship money to pay my HECS each year. Others I know use it to live on. Whichever way you use it, it's fantastic added security. When I leave uni I won't have a HECS debt either to my parents or the government. I can get on with things," Ms Newnham said.

Ms Newnham, studying a Bachelor of Education (primary teaching) at SCU, is due to complete her degree next year and plans to apply to several state education departments to commence her new career.

This year almost 70 SCU students are benefiting from a Vice-Chancellor's or industry scholarship. Selection is based on academic achievement, personal attributes, contribution to school or community life, and comments from school principals, careers advisers or teachers. Applications are available through career advisers/guidance officers in schools or can be downloaded from the web at scu.edu.au/scholarships. The closing date for Vice-Chancellor's and industry applications is Friday, October 14, 2005. Information is also available by contacting 66269286.

Postgraduate scholarships provide substantial funding each year to assist postgraduate students at a practical level to complete programs of study.

Also available for 2006 are undergraduate equity scholarships to help disadvantaged undergraduate students with the costs associated with higher education. They are awarded on a needs basis.

Undergraduate equity scholarships range from one-off assistance payments of $250 and $1500, to education and accommodation scholarships with annual payments of up to $4000 for up to four years. Applications close on September 30 and should be made direct to UAC. For information contact SCU's Equity Scholarships Officer on 02 66203313. A total of about 200 Undergraduate Equity Scholarships are expected to be awarded in 2006.

For information about studying at Southern Cross University visit the website www.scu.edu.au or contact Student Services on 1800 626481.