As COVID-19 drastically impacts the way we all live, study and work, the number of vulnerable students requiring urgent financial support is growing rapidly.
Helping tomorrow’s healthcare heroes
Many of the students in need of financial assistance are studying nursing. Despite facing significant personal challenges, they want to care for others and believe in giving back.
Will you please give back too, and donate to the Equal Access Scholarship today?
Many of the students in need of financial assistance are studying nursing.
Impossible choices
Every day, disadvantaged students need to make impossible choices in order to continue their studies. Go to class or work an extra shift to help pay the rent? Buy groceries or textbooks?
Every day is a struggle to overcome the barriers to finishing their degree.
| 1 in 3 disadvantaged students regularly miss lectures or classes because they have to work | 1 in 5 disadvantaged students regularly go without food because they can’t afford it |
| 1 in 6 disadvantaged students are supporting children or other dependents | 1 in 2 regional students have to relocate in order to study their course |
| 30% do not have access to medical or dental treatment due to the cost | 55% struggle with the cost of travel to attend classes |
For these vulnerable young people, the COVID-19 crisis not only threatens their health and financial circumstances, but their education.
The Equal Access Scholarship is a lifeline for disadvantaged students. But with unprecedented demand for support, we don’t have the funds we need to assist them all.
Will you please help these students continue their studies during this challenging and uncertain time?
100% of your donation will go towards supporting students in need.
Madison beat cancer, now she's battling to stay at university
“When I was 17, I was diagnosed with a rare childhood cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma,” explains Madison Ritchie. “The doctor said I had three months to live. But I’m a bit of a stubborn person, so I was like ‘I’ll get back to you on that.’”
Thankfully, the treatment worked – and Madison is cancer-free today. But it did bring some lifelong consequences. She struggles with extreme fatigue, cognitive impairment and a compromised immune system caused by her aggressive treatment.
“Sadly, the treatment also left me infertile,” says Madison. It was difficult news to cope with, but it ultimately led Madison down a new path – studying to become a midwife.
Last year, Madison moved from the NSW Central Coast to begin a Nursing degree at UTS. And although she’s successfully made it to her second year, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing.
Madison Ritchie is just one of hundreds of UTS students facing significant challenges to completing their degree.
“It’s very expensive living in Sydney, and I still have many doctors’ appointments,” she says. “I’m 100% determined to finish my degree, it will just take me a little longer than other students.”
Without the financial support she receives from the Equal Access Scholarship, Madison says there’s no way she’d be able to complete her degree.
“I can’t tell you how relieved I felt when I saw the word ‘Granted’ on my scholarship application. For me, it meant that I could buy a stethoscope for prac. That I wouldn’t have to skip a meal here and there. That I could afford to catch the train to the Central Coast to see my family and oncologist.”
But next semester, there are no guarantees. With an unprecedented number of requests for assistance, we can’t help all eligible students unless we raise enough money.
Please help us provide more Equal Access Scholarships to students in desperate need of support.
You can help students in crisis
Please help us provide more Equal Access Scholarships to disadvantaged students as they work hard to complete their degree.
Your gift will help provide textbooks, food, housing and certainty to vulnerable students whose lives have been turned upside down. More nursing students like Madison will have the support they need to finish their degree, playing a vital role in our overstretched health sector. And after this crisis is over, your support will ensure other students in need are empowered to complete their studies and reach their full potential.
Support students now
When you give, you can be confident 100% of your donation will go to your chosen area.
What is the Equal Access Scholarship?
Who is eligible for a UTS Equal Access Scholarship?
How can I help students in need?
What if I can't afford to donate now, but would like to in the future?
*All data from Universities Australia Student Finances Survey, August 2018