More than $7 million in scholarships for regional students to live and study at country's top University
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Applications are now open to regional students for the University of Melbourne's 10 Residential Colleges, with $7.6 million in scholarships and bursaries available.
The financial support on offer ranges from $4000 to $30,000 and is available to students living across the country wishing to attend the University of Melbourne.
Mya Jones, who moved from Horsham to live at Ormond College and study a Bachelor of Arts said studying at Melbourne University was a boon.
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"Never before have I had the opportunity to indulge so many passions in one place," she said.
"Not only did these clubs and societies offer an excuse to abandon study for a few hours... [they] gave me the chance to learn about other people's opinions and eye-opening ideas."
About one third of the University's college students are supported by scholarships and bursaries, joining more than 2500 college students hailing from Australia's regions, cities and overseas.
Despite this year's COVID-19 restrictions pushing learning off-campus, students living in colleges continued their studies with little disruption and enjoyed the support of the college's 'corridor communities' and COVID-19 response plans.
For Hamilton's Matthew Behrendt, living at Newman College in 2021 provided a true "home away from home" for the Bachelor of Design - Mechanical Systems Major student.
"I did not expect to find people who I now consider to be as close as family. I knew I'd make friends, but to form friendships to this level has been nothing short of surprising, and it has been a wonderful surprise at that," Matthew said.
"Being over 300km's from home, this has been key to making me feel like I belong here. Finding a home away from home and giving me the support to complete my degree."
Dr Brenda Holt, Principal of St Hilda's College and head of Melbourne's intercollegiate network said it was impossible to put a price on the benefits to students joining a college community.
"Living at college makes the transition to university easier. Colleges are built around the dining table where students eat together and share everyday life," Dr Holt said.
"Every night, something is on at college, often centred around a meal. Living in a fully catered college makes a huge difference to your own sense of connection and belonging."
Applications can be made via https://www.colleges.unimelb.edu.au/how-to-apply/ and students will be contacted for an interview.