Media releases

Federation University Australia welcome the Victorian Government’s announcement of a new $45 million hardship fund for international students impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are around 2,000 international students studying at the university’s Ballarat, Brisbane, Berwick and Gippsland campuses and a further 5,500 studying at our partner institutions in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide.

Federation University has already established student financial assistance schemes for domestic and international university students at our campuses and partner institutions who have been impacted by the pandemic, and is preparing to release a financial assistance scheme for TAFE students.

Federation has received more than 2,100 requests for financial assistance through its scheme for domestic and international students and has already provided around $1.3 million in financial assistance to help students continue their studies during the pandemic.

The university has also provided students with grants for computers and home internet to help with online study, fee extensions, student accommodation relief, free counselling services and help in accessing government support services.

In addition to this, the university has set up a special International Student Hardship Fund through the Federation University Australia Foundation, which raises funds to provide scholarships to students most in need.

The university’s executive team has agreed to contribute 10 per cent of their salary that will be donated to the Foundation’s student support fund, with staff across the organisation also making contributions.

The new Victorian Government fund will provide another avenue of support for international students and the university looks forward to working with the government to ensure all of its eligible students can access the new hardship fund.

Quotes attributable to Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett:

“We know many of our students have lost casual and part-time work as a result of the pandemic, and are struggling during these difficult times.”  “Our focus is on ensuring our students have both the financial and emotional support they need to get through this pandemic so they can continue their studies and their career dreams.”

“Federation University has already provided more than $1.3 million in financial assistance to both our domestic and international students, as well as free counselling services and grants for computers and home internet so they can continue studying from home.” “The new Victorian Government hardship fund for international students will build on the support we’re already providing our students and we look forward to working with the government to ensure our students can get the help they need.”