Monash University has introduced a number of initiatives so that more under-represented students from regional and rural Australia and low socio-economic backgrounds can benefit from a university education.
The changes include extending the Monash Guarantee for all regional and remote students; expanding Monash's humanitarian scholarship numbers; the rollout of a new Kummargi Yulendj Scholarship Program; and a Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) expansion.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Senior Vice-President, Professor Allie Clemans, said Monash is deeply committed to ensuring more students can access higher education and fulfil their dreams.
"No student that aspires to higher education should be limited by their background or circumstances," said Professor Clemans. "These significant changes embody our ongoing commitment to recognising and addressing the challenges that can impede access to education. When we support future educators, nurses and lawyers, we're not just investing in individuals – we are strengthening the very fabric of our society.
"These are the people who will care for and guide our children, parents and grandparents during key life stages. By dismantling these barriers, we are taking a decisive step towards a more hopeful future for all."
Accessing education in Howard Springs, 30 minutes from the Darwin CBD, Ciara faced unique challenges. The subjects on offer were limited, and it was difficult to access information about university. " No one in my family had gone to university, and I didn't know any close family friends who had either," she said. "It was a very foreign concept to me."
However, the SEAS program opened new doors, increasing her ATAR just enough to allow her entry into the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Arts at Monash.
"Without it, I probably wouldn't be where I am today, graduating with a law degree at the end of this year and already working in the legal field," said Ciara.
While at Monash, Ciara immersed herself in all aspects of campus life, living in residential halls and joining clubs and societies. She eventually secured an internship at the Victorian Parliament, working on Law Reform Enquiries.
As the first in her family to attend university, Ciara believes it's vital for students from under-represented backgrounds to have the chance to pursue higher education. She shares that people from under-represented backgrounds and rural communities "often had to work a little harder" to get where they are, making them "fantastic students [and] workers" and powerful "drivers of change" in our community.
For Mariel, now studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Honours) at Monash, SEAS and the Monash Guarantee eased the significant toll of successive COVID-19 lockdowns and isolation during her final year of study. She reflects that at a time of persistent uncertainty, SEAS gave her hope for a possible future.
Once she entered Monash, Mariel became an Access Monash mentor and Betty Amsden scholar, motivating and encouraging Year 11 and 12 high school students from under-represented schools similar to the one she attended.
Mariel says she has "immense gratitude" for the opportunity to be at university and "an ardent desire to foster change that encourages inclusion and breaks barriers." As a future Occupational Therapist, she plans to "empower others through promoting patient autonomy, choice and personalisation in service provision, especially toward vulnerable populations."
Azada once felt that, "University… [was] a prestigious educational place where only the lucky could enter." She shares that her parents grew up in "a war-torn country", where the prospect of university seemed "extraordinary and out-of-reach".
Now studying a double degree in Law (Honours) and a Bachelor of Criminology, Azada is committed to working in the legal field to advocate for justice and human rights.
She says the Monash Guarantee and SEAS made the impossible seem possible, given her background and circumstances, motivating her to work hard in the knowledge that her efforts would be seen and rewarded.
Having come from an under-represented school, Azada is passionate about the impact of SEAS and the Monash Guarantee.
"It represents breaking through systemic barriers and proving that talent and determination can win over circumstances," she said. She adds that at its core, it's about "building a future where everyone has the chance to thrive and contribute meaningfully."
Monash University's support for under-represented students
Extending the Monash Guarantee for all regional and remote students For the first time, all students who live or study in a remote or regional area are eligible. We're committed to continuing to do all we can to ensure distance doesn't prevent capable students from accessing educational opportunities.
Special Entry Access Scheme Expansion: This initiative embodies our commitment to inclusivity. It enhances access for students who are First in Family to attend university, individuals with disabilities or medical conditions, and those experiencing difficult family circumstances. At Monash, we believe that your background or circumstances should not be a barrier to accessing higher education.
Expansion of Monash humanitarian scholarship numbers We've almost doubled the number of humanitarian scholarships. We're also ensuring that Monash College students on humanitarian visas have a guaranteed pathway into Monash University. Further work is underway to continue to overcome barriers to higher education.
Kummargi Yulendj Scholarship Program: The program goes beyond financial support scholarships and delivers a transformative program that also includes holistic, tailored support designed to nurture and empower the next generation of change-makers.
Enhanced Support for Care Experienced Students We have collaborated with Raising Expectations and introduced the Achieving Potential Care Leavers Scholarship to provide tailored support for this deserving group.
