May 25, 2020
The University of Southern Queensland’s is offering students automatic scholarships of up to $29,000 if they select the university as their first choice with QTAC.
USQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Geraldine Mackenzie said now more than ever it was important to think of the future, and the scholarships could give students peace of mind and financial security while studying.
“We want to give back to our community and encourage our high-achieving students to stay here in our local communities,” she said.
High school leavers who achieve an ATAR 97 or above and put USQ first on QTAC will automatically receive a Chancellor’s Scholarship valued up to $29,000, including an optional study abroad package and leadership development.
Students with an ATAR 88 or above will be awarded a Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship valued up to $20,000.
And students with an ATAR 84 or above will be awarded an Executive Dean’s Scholarship of up to $6,000.
Prof Mackenzie said the Become Rewarded Scholarships were a decisive move to help stop Australia’s regional brain drain, and attract students from capital cities to study at the university.
“We want to ensure our best and brightest are staying in the region, and that we are attracting school leavers from across the State,” Prof Mackenzie said.
“We want to build strong rural and regional communities, and we know that providing outstanding educational opportunities and careers right here in the region is the best way of doing just that.”
The suite of scholarships applies to high-achieving students who list USQ as their first choice for QTAC (or any other university admission centre).
The scholarships are available to school leavers studying full-time at any USQ campus.
Georgia Poole finished Year 12 at Downlands College last year and received an OP1.
This year she is studying Biomedical Science and is a recipient of the automatic $29,000 Chancellor’s Scholarship.
“Receiving the Chancellor’s Scholarship was a game-changer, especially now with COVID-19, it has taken a lot of the stress out of the situation,” Georgia said.
“For me, coming to USQ was not just about the scholarship. I did work experience here and that’s when I fell in love with the university.
“I found it inviting, and studying while staying at home has made travel and living expenses more manageable.
“Receiving the scholarship made the transition so much easier, and USQ has been equipped for online study for a long time.”
Similarly, first-year Engineering student Noah Humber, who received the Vice-Chancellor’s scholarship, always knew USQ was where he wanted to study.
“In Year 9 I attended the Science and Engineering Challenge, and that unveiled my passion for engineering,” he said.
“Later down the track in Year 12, I found out USQ was offering these amazing scholarships, and it was close to home.
“I knew USQ was one of the best universities in Australia for Engineering, so it was the best place for me to go.
“It has meant that I have a lot less stress with HECS debt, and I have been able to transition into university life seamlessly.”
USQ has three campuses – at Toowoomba, Ipswich and Springfield – and also delivers degrees online.
Courses range from Agriculture to Astronomy, Science, Law, Education, Business, Health, and much more.
According to the 2020 edition of the Good Universities Guide, it is also the number one university in Australia for graduate starting salaries.
The Become Rewarded Scholarships, which are unlimited in number, are:
- Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship: Awarded to 2020 school leavers with ATAR 97 or above. The total scholarship value is up to $29,000 – either $24,000 over four years of study or $18,000 over three years of study – plus an optional study abroad package (up to $5000), and entry into a leadership and development program as well as the opportunity to participate in the Student Ambassador program.
- Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: Awarded to 2020 school leavers with ATAR 88 or above. Total scholarship value of $20,000 over four years of study (or $15,000 over three years), plus the opportunity to participate in the Student Ambassador program.
- Executive Dean’s Scholarship: Awarded to 2020 school leavers with ATAR 84 or above. Total scholarship value of $6,000 over four years or $4,500 over three years, plus the opportunity to participate in the Student Ambassador program.
For more information about the scholarships visit USQ online
