Commonwealth Scholarship makes a big difference for Louise

December 08, 2006

Thanks to a Commonwealth Learning Scholarship, 20-year-old UNE student Louise Davidson, from Armidale, is not worried about money. She has, therefore, been able to devote more time to her studies, and is very pleased with her exam results.

Louise (pictured here) has just completed the second year of her four-year Bachelor of Education degree program, and intends to teach primary students - especially infants from kindergarten to Year 2. “I love it at UNE, as the lecturers and other students are really friendly and approachable,” she said. “It’s a good support network. But it would be difficult without a scholarship, which has helped me a lot this year, particularly with “prac” (practical experience in the classroom) expenses like travel and accommodation. The extra money has been a godsend.”

The former Duval High student said it was good news for students that the closing date for Commonwealth Learning Scholarship (CLS) applications had been extended to January 4th, 2007. These scholarships were established to increase higher education participation by students from low socio-economic backgrounds and from regional and remote areas.

Louise’s CLS – a Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarship – provides $2,120 tax-free per year over four years and is available to full-time students. “In first year I received the Youth Allowance,” she said, “but it was not enough. So when I heard about scholarships for continuing students, I applied. I was going into second year and received the news after university started. It was a big relief, and means less stress about paying bills and more time studying and getting good grades.” Louise also works part-time on a casual basis at The Athlete’s Foot, and is a keen sportswoman – playing hockey in the UNE Women’s A-grade team.

The other CLS – the Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarship – is valued at $4,240 per annum for a maximum of 4 years, and is intended to assist with accommodation costs for on-campus, full-time students.

The Commonwealth Scholarships Higher Education Support Act 2003 has amended the Guidelines to include postgraduate students in specific “National Priority” courses. Eligible students may now apply for a Commonwealth Learning Scholarship to study for a Graduate Diploma in Education, Graduate Diploma in Adult Education, or Graduate Diploma in Educational Studies (TESOL) at UNE.

Further information and application forms are available from the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) Web site:
http://www.uac.edu.au/equity/equityschols.html

Posted by Jim Scanlan at December 8, 2006 03:16 PM