Monash offers bursaries for disadvantaged students

20 December 2004

Monash University has launched a new scheme beginning in the new year to help disadvantaged youth gain entry into and succeed at university.

An additional $700,000 in scholarships and bursaries each year is part of a comprehensive equity initiative called Access Monash. This includes students of low socio-economic status, those who have experienced long-term difficulties in family life, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders or those from a rural or isolated area.

Access Monash has been designed by a committee of senior Monash staff including Pro-vice chancellor (Planning) Professor Merran Evans.

"Access Monash programs will encourage students from disadvantaged social groups to consider and succeed at university," Professor Evans said.

New bursaries worth about $12,000 each will be available to students studying at the Peninsula campus of Monash College in 2005. About 20 bursaries for the diploma courses are available for business and information technology courses.

Program coordinators are targeting students from disadvantaged social groups, who for a variety of reasons may have missed out on a university place.

"The Monash College aspect of the program recognises that some students due to socio-economic status, locality or personal circumstance, are not able to achieve an ENTER score high enough to access university courses," Professor Evans said.

"By nurturing students in an intensive and caring class environment Access Monash gives the students the support they need to stay enrolled and complete their course.

"After the completion of the course, providing they meet the minimum entry requirements, students are offered a place in their chosen degree at Monash University where they embark on second year."

Professor Evans said the diplomas are equivalent of first year university, but with an added emphasis on personal care.

For further information contact Professor Merran Evans on +61 3 9905 2014 or Ms Ingrid Sanders in Media Communications on +61 3 9905 9201 or 0437 458 457.