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 students in crisis
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.
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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 |
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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.
Hi, my name is Maddy and I'm 22 years old.
I'm currently in my second year of a Bachelor of Nursing here at UTS.
At 17, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer and I underwent 12 months of extremely intensive chemotherapy and radiation.
I'm now in my fourth year of remission.
However I still continue to feel the full effects of what treatment has left on my body such as chronic fatigue, cognitive impairment and also the exacerbations of being a menopausal woman at 22.
The Diversity Access Scholarship is one of the main reasons I can immerse myself into my studies without the worry of financial burden.
It has equipped me to help cover the cost of rent, textbooks, course materials, transport and groceries.
It even helped me to restart my new life and move to Sydney from the Central Coast to be closer to uni.
The scholarship has changed my life in so many ways.
Although I'm just one of many thousands of students here at UTS.
University is a financial struggle for many of us for many different reasons and different circumstances.
But the reality is unfortunately there is not enough funding for every student in need.
Especially now, being in such uncertain times.
So every gift big or small will make a huge impact and change another person's life through the Diversity Access Scholarship.
With many thank you's. Your help goes a long way, and can help impact a student's life in the most beautiful way.
From myself to you, thank you.
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?
The Equal Access Scholarship assists students from low socio-economic backgrounds who may also be experiencing other forms of educational disadvantage which make it difficult to achieve their educational goals. This scholarship is available to undergraduate, postgraduate and research students and is valued between $400 and $2,500 per session.
Who is eligible for a UTS Equal Access Scholarship?
Students experiencing financial hardship together with other barriers to university such as:
- Sole parent responsibilities
- Carer responsibilities
- Long-term medical condition
- Disability or ongoing effect of abuse
- Indigenous background
- Regional or remote background
- Refugee or migrant status
How can I help students in need?
Every UTS student should be given the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of their background or circumstances. But for many students experiencing disadvantage, this opportunity is only made possible through the generosity of people like you.
Here is how you can help:
- Make a one-off gift to Equal Access Scholarships
- Give a monthly recurring donation to Equal Access Scholarships
- Leave a lasting legacy by including a gift to UTS in your Will
- UTS Staff can join the Staff Giving Program.
What if I can't afford to donate now, but would like to in the future?
We understand it’s a hard time for many people right now.
If you can’t afford to donate today, but would like to in the future, please let us know. When you register your interest, you'll also be given the opportunity to share a message of hope to students currently receiving the Equal Access Scholarship.
*All data from Universities Australia Student Finances Survey, August 2018
