December 9, 2022

$7M commitment to support and upskill students

New scholarships to support educational aspirations and produce a skilled workforce

The most significant barrier to education many students face, particularly those from the regional and rural areas, is the cost of moving to study at university. The University of Wollongong (UOW) recognises this issue and the increasing cost of living facing all students wishing to access higher education.

UOW also recognises the increasing demand for a skilled workforce to support critical industries such as healthcare, education, information technology and STEM-related occupations.

On this basis, this year, the University has committed $7 million to establish two new scholarship schemes that provide opportunities for students to excel and succeed in their university studies and build a highly skilled workforce to support the needs of the country–the 2023 Country to Coast Scholarship, and the 2023 Future Skills Scholarship.

UOW has had a long-term commitment to increasing access and participation in higher education for students from all backgrounds, with more than half of its student cohort being the first in their family to attend university.

These two new scholarships are in addition to the Regional Kick-Start scholarships, which will put a university degree within reach for even more students at either UOW Bega, UOW Batemans Bay, UOW Shoalhaven, or UOW Southern Highlands.

The University’s increased commitment to supporting students will see UOW offer over 1,500 Undergraduate Scholarships to commencing domestic students in 2023.

2023 Country to Coast Scholarship:

The newly established 2023 Country to Coast Scholarship is UOW’s $5.9M flagship commitment designed to support students from regional and rural areas across NSW.

Each regional or rural student from Bega Valley, Central West, Eurobodalla, Far West, Murray, Riverina, Eden-Monaro regions who received an offer to study at UOW via Early Admission in 2023, is eligible to receive $5,000 as part of the Scholarship; half of which will be paid for set-up costs in January before commencing the academic year.

Most of the students from these areas are also eligible to apply for an additional $10,000 in combined government and UOW-funded scholarships. Eligible students beginning to study at UOW in 2023 could receive up to $15,000 in financial support.

UOW is committed to supporting the educational aspirations of students from these regions and providing a world-class learning environment.

UOW Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Patricia M. Davidson said the Scholarship is a game changer and will support the aspirations of students from regional and rural areas.

“Diversity is what makes UOW a leading global university, and our students from regional and rural areas are very much part of our success,” Professor Davidson said.

“The establishment of the 2023 Country to Coast scholarship is a testament to UOW’s commitment to providing a world-class education to students no matter their origins or background.

All Early Admission offer holders from identified regions will be automatically eligible. Students just need to log in, activate their scholarship, and provide documentation to support their application.

More information about the 2023 Country to Coast scholarship and eligibility criteria is available from UOW’s website: https://www.uow.edu.au/study/scholarships/domestic/country-coast-scholarship

2023 Future Skills Scholarship

The University is also establishing a new 2023 Future Skills Scholarship, a $1.077M commitment to fund future UOW students with an offer to study in an identified priority skills area; a much-needed way of closing the national skills gap and supporting aspirational students.

Students who applied via Early Admission to study a national-priority skills-area course at UOW in 2023 will be contacted and offered a $2,500 scholarship to support their study, travel and living costs.

“The nation is currently going through a skills crunch, especially in the STEM, education and healthcare sectors,” Professor Davidson said.

“To address the skills shortage, UOW is committed to closing the gap by easing the cost barrier to education, allowing more people the chance to acquire critical skills.”

More information about the eligibility criteria is available from UOW’s website: https://www.uow.edu.au/study/scholarships/domestic/future-skills-scholarship/