Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey has announced twenty four students from across Grey have received a Government-funded scholarship to assist with the costs of their tertiary education.
Mr Ramsey said the fourth round of scholarships have been awarded under the Coalition Government’s $58.1 million Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships program, with additional consideration given to those affected by bushfire and drought.
“This program is just another example of the way we have moved since coming to government in improving access, quality and equality for rural and regional students,” Mr Ramsey said.
“The twenty four students from Grey will benefit from up to $18,000 across the path of their studies and for them and their families will make a substantial difference,” he said. “The scholarships will help ease some of the financial burden at what has been a very difficult time for many and will include $500 for students to undertake an internship to ensure they are job-ready.
“I have been closely involved with a group of regional MPs who have worked long and hard for a better deal for country students ever since 2009 when Julia Gillard as Education Minister smashed the “independent pathway” to Youth Allowance for country students.
“It’s been a long journey, but we have had some significant wins along the way and only two weeks ago Education Minister Dan Tehan announced a one-off payment of $5,000 to school-leavers from outer regional or remote areas who relocate more than 90 minutes from their home to undertake full-time, higher-level tertiary education.
“This measure will encourage and assist regional and remote students with the significant up-front costs of re-locating to the city and will also provide an additional option for students who can only qualify for Youth Allowance through the independence pathway to start university straight after school instead of taking a “gap year.
“As part of our Government’s Job-ready Graduates reforms, we are providing an additional $400 million to increase opportunities for regional, rural and remote students to get a world-class education and support regional university campuses which here in Grey has resulted in the establishment of the Regional Uni-Hubs in Port Pirie, Port Augusta with the recently announced Kadina campus to open its doors next year.”
“We are committed to ensuring more Australians from regional and remote areas like Grey learn the skills they will need to succeed in the jobs of the future.”
Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships are offered throughout 2020. For more information and to apply, visit https://www.qtac.edu.au/scholarships.
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 86331744 July 10, 2020