La Trobe University has committed over $12m to support its students during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students), Professor Jessica Vanderlelie, said this student support recognises the hardships and challenges that students are facing, with many losing jobs or access to family support because of the global virus response.
“This crisis has been acutely felt amongst our international students and I am pleased to say that $6.8m has been allocated to directly support our international students,” Professor Vanderlelie said.
“The University, along with the rest of the sector, continues to lobby the Federal, Victorian and local governments to step up and support our students, particularly international students.
“I am immensely proud of all the staff, alumni and the wider La Trobe family, for all of their support for our students.”
The University has now awarded over $4m in emergency bursaries, $4m in Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) refunds to students and another $4m in accommodation credits, parking refunds and other direct student support.
Over $531k of this has been raised through the La Trobe Crisis Student Appeal.
Early census data suggests 98.3 per cent of bursary recipients have continued with their studies this semester.
“This is an outstanding result and clear evidence that this funding is supporting our most vulnerable students to continue their studies,” Professor Vanderlelie said.
