A 47: Hay Branch (NSW)

Tertiary Education
Motion:

That ICPA (Aust) requests the relevant ministers to continue commitment to the Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarships Program or replace with a similar program.

Explanation:

This Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarship Program or similar program needs to be extended beyond the commitment of the 2023 scholarships to benefit rural and remote students in the future.

Children of Hay Branch members, who have commenced Tertiary Studies for the first time in 2023, had tried to apply for the Rural and Regional Enterprise Scholarship through the QTAC web site since February 2023. Unfortunately, when they have accessed the web site the information only showed the previous 2022 Scholarships. After phone calls to the QTAC office they had been told that the government funds have not been received to fund this program yet and to check back on the web site for updates. Fortunately, just when the first trimester of university was nearly complete in May 2023, they were alerted that the Scholarship round had opened. We are thankful that this scholarship is available for 2023.

However, tertiary students, especially those who have done a year or two working since school and don’t qualify for the Tertiary Access Payment have budgeted on receiving this funding (as other students or siblings have received it in previous years) for the duration of their course. They need a firm commitment that these funds will be available as they struggle with the financial commitment of accessing university away from the family home.

CARRIED