Student Emergency Fund
Our students need your support to听continue their studies and safeguard their future.
Unexpected events that cause significant financial difficulty, such as personal hardship (e.g. illness or injury),听natural disaster (e.g. drought听or听bushfire) or a global crisis听are听experienced by many of our students.听
Each year, the University and the Adelaide University Union receive听countless enquiries and applications for financial aid from students who do not know how they are going to continue to study听during times of crisis.听
With so many students experiencing financial stress each year, we need the help of our community today.
Makie working as a trackwork rider to support her studies
Makie, a Bachelor of Veterinary Bioscience student, faced a significant blow to her health and savings when she was kicked by a horse at work last October.
Airlifted to hospital Makie describes her diagnosis as 鈥渓ucky鈥 when the doctors confirmed she had received a few lacerations to her liver and kidney and would need 12 weeks off work to heal and recover.听
鈥淎 kick from a horse can shatter bones or even be fatal, so I was very lucky to sustain only a few organ lacerations. It could have been a lot worse,鈥 Makie said.听
A self-funded student, Makie works part time as a trackwork rider with racehorses to pay her tuition fees, rent and cover daily expenses.听
鈥淎fter the accident I was able to continue with my studies but I wasn鈥檛 able to work. It was a really stressful time not knowing how I would cover my rent and groceries. There was a real concern about the possibility of deferring until I received a grant from the Student Emergency Fund.听
I am so grateful for the donors to the Student Emergency Fund for their kindness and generosity. Their support enabled me to take the time off work to focus on my health without putting additional pressure on my study.Makie
"If I had ignored medical advice due to financial stress, I could have risked further harm or worse. The fact that I didn't have to compromise my health to continue studying is something I deeply appreciate," Makie said.听
Through her own personal experience, Elaine recognised the challenges facing students and the incredible benefit a student grant can have, and wanted to help. As a self-funded student听completing her Diploma of Occupational Therapy (London School of Occupational Therapy) in the UK in the 1970s,听expenses that seemed insignificant to some, like the cost of student fees, textbooks, and daily travelling costs, were overwhelming. Faced with financial hardship, a student grant made an enormous difference to Elaine, who went on to have a successful and fulfilling career in occupational therapy.
When Elaine read about the Student Emergency Fund, she didn鈥檛 hesitate to pay forward the kindness she had received as a student. Her generosity is helping to ensure our students can continue to pursue tertiary education, even when hardship seems beyond measure.
鈥淵ou never know what life will bring, including unexpected challenges that can weigh heavily on young people as they start out at university. Donations, big and small, help somebody when they need it most.鈥 Elaine
Beth Coggins of Student Care
Beth Coggins has been working with students since 2007 and has seen firsthand the increasing challenges faced by students studying at university. Before joining the Student Care team, she worked as a student advisor within faculty.听
鈥淲hen I was working in the faculty, I saw the need for assistance from students growing exponentially,鈥 Beth said.
鈥淲e have all seen the rise in the cost of living. This has been challenging for many two income families, but for students relying on Austudy or ABSTUDY or part time jobs to fund their studies, the increased pressure is significant.听
鈥淎ustudy and ABSTUDY doesn鈥檛 cover 鈥渟urprise鈥 costs like medical expenses, making the Student Emergency Fund a really important offering for students.
I love working in Student Care and being able to provide meaningful support. We help everyone in some way but there is currently a significant gap between the number of applications we receive each month for the Student Emergency Fund and the number of students who can receive a grant. I would love to see that gap reduced or even removed one day.Beth
鈥淎 gift to the Student Emergency Fund can have a big impact on helping a student to finish their degree and enter the workforce,鈥 Beth said.
Student Emergency Fund Appeal
To ensure our students are supported听during challenging times, the University听has established a Student Emergency Fund.
Our program of hardship grants听will ensure 成人大片 students are听safely housed, fed听and well-equipped.
no matter how big or small, will be delivered to our students in need, helping them to continue their studies knowing they are supported to achieve their best, in every way.
The Student Emergency Fund听provides students with the opportunity to apply for assistance to cover their critical needs (e.g.听rent, food, medications, textbooks) during their time of hardship.听
If you are able to make a gift, your generosity, no matter how big or small, will have a direct impact on the lives of our students.听.
Can help a student with utility听expenses for a month.
Can help a student with groceries for a month.
Can help a student with rent for a month.
Please note that costings are approximate and have been provided by .
成人大片 staff delivering teaching, research and support at the coal-face know first-hand the financial hardships our students face, and they are deeply invested in their welfare.
While our staff make a difference every day, many also choose to extend this impact by supporting students in crisis or donating to another area of the University they are passionate about, such as scholarships or research.听
鈥淚 am deeply grateful for our staff, who demonstrate the value they place in students and our University support networks by giving to the Student Emergency Fund.鈥Professor听Peter H酶j AC, Vice-Chancellor and President
Students who are eligible听for the Student Emergency Fund Grant can .
More Student Emergency Fund recipients
John's gift
As an undergraduate student and the first in his family to attend University, Dr John Byron (BA (Hons) 1998) received financial assistance from the University at a critical time during his degree.
Read more about John's gift
Helping Emma
Emma Knights, a highachieving Creative Arts student, is a recent recipient of a grant from the Student Emergency Fund.
Read more about Helping Emma
Gratitude amid grief
Nishadi had just moved to Australia to complete her PhD in Medicine when her father was suddenly admitted to the ICU in Sri Lanka and unexpectantly passed away at the age of 57.
Read more about Gratitude amid griefMore information
For a discussion about how your gift can make a difference at the University, please contact Advancement on +61 8 8313 5800 or听development@adelaide.edu.au.