Janice Reid Scholarship Fund

The Janice Reid Scholarship for disadvantaged Western Sydney University students was launched in honour of the Vice- Chancellor who retired at the end of 2013 after serving the University and Western Sydney Community for 16 years. In her time at the University, Professor Reid has led the University through a significant period of transformative growth and change, opening up access to higher education for the people of Western Sydney.

Over sixty percent of our students are the first in their families to attend university. We see a real sense of pride on the smiling faces of the thousands of graduates who celebrate this education journey with their families and friends at graduation each year.

Helping our students to realise their career goals and life ambitions is something we are very passionate about.

However, for many, the opportunity to study at university may be unattainable because of financial hardship or other circumstances.

Ayen Chol, Scholarship Recipient

Students such as Ayen Chol, resident of Merrylands and recent graduate of the Bachelor of Medical Science program, was a recipient of a Scholarship from the University.

Ayen is Sudanese and came to Australia in 2007 as a refugee orphan. She is determined to remain focused on her education and wants to apply her passion for microbiology to help find cures for infectious diseases prevalent in Africa.

Ayen is the first in her family to hold a university qualification and tells us that her graduation was a proud day for her, her family and other women from similar backgrounds.

'Coming to university has been life changing for me – it means I can be something more and a role model for other women'.

When asked about what this scholarship meant to her, Ayen says: 'If someone I barely know can do this for me to help me succeed, imagine what I can do.'

The Janice Reid Scholarship Fund will assist individuals who face economic, social or other disadvantage which makes university participation very difficult. The scholarships will provide much needed financial assistance to students throughout their degree.

For many potential students, being able to purchase text books, afford transport to and from university and have access to a laptop are significant barriers to higher education – obstacles that can be overcome with your help.

A scholarship can assist a promising student through a time of financial difficulty, often ensuring they can continue their studies. When a student has access to the resources they need to do well, they are more likely to succeed.

In a 2011 survey, 90% of students who had received financial assistance said that it was important in ensuring their ongoing enrolment.

The overall retention rate for students from disadvantaged backgrounds at the University is 80%. However, the retention rate for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who received financial assistance through the Student Welfare Service in 2011 was 92%. This demonstrates that a financial grant can have a significant impact on a student's ability to stay enrolled in their program.

Support the Janice Reid Scholarship Fund

The Janice Reid Scholarship Fund will provide scholarships of $7,500 per year for the duration of the student's degree. The scholarships will be open to new or continuing students, of any age, studying any undergraduate or postgraduate degree. The main criteria will be that applicants must be able to demonstrate financial or other hardship.

To ensure the legacy of Professor Janice Reid continues within the University and the Western Sydney Community, you can contribute to the Janice Reid Scholarship Fund.

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