Written by Michelle Curry
Receiving a scholarship has truly been life changing. I am in the final stages of completing my Bachelor of Education (K-12) degree, a dream that once seemed distant. In 2021, I took a bold step to start my degree as a full-time student, career changer, and mother of two. My previous high school teacher, who now works at Charles Sturt University, encouraged me with a reassuring message: “You are not too old, and it’s not too late.” I set myself a goal, to graduate by the time I turn 40.
My degree has required twenty-one weeks of unpaid placement, alongside twenty-four hours of volunteer work in the community with school-aged students, in a degree that is classified as 4.75 years of full-time study. Twelve weeks of unpaid placement was to be undertaken in my final year. Balancing this with part-time work, and family life has been a significant challenge, especially as I do not qualify for government support. With the rising cost of living, I seriously considered pausing my studies to work full-time, a decision that would have put my dream of graduating on time at risk.
Applying for scholarships was a lifeline. I dedicated an entire day to writing and editing my applications, fitting this work into my busy schedule of studies ( Education students have subjects over Session 3) and family time over the Christmas holiday period. The most common question I encountered in scholarship applications was how I would use the funds. For me, the answer was clear: the money would go toward my two daughters’ before- and after-school care. This service has been crucial during my placements, especially since my husband works away.
In my applications, I emphasised my volunteer roles, such as serving on the Bathurst SRC, student senate, student representative on the board of education, and being part of the mentoring program for new students.
In 2023, I was deeply honoured to receive the Jan White Scholarship, and meeting Jan herself was a personal highlight. We have remained in contact since. Then, in 2024, I was thrilled to be awarded the Lionel Allen Memorial Scholarship. The moment I received the email about this second scholarship, I burst into tears. Just the night before, I had been grappling with the thought of pausing my studies and could not get to sleep, so this news felt like a beacon of hope—not just for me, but for my entire family.
Receiving these two scholarships has allowed me to focus on completing my degree without the heavy weight of financial stress. I was also invited to the Bathurst Scholarship ceremony, where I presented SRC scholarships, received my own award, gave the scholars vote of thanks, and enjoyed a dinner with generous donors and Charles Sturt University staff.
This achievement came during an overwhelming time when I was on a six-week placement, four assessments to submit, preparing for my final mathematics exam, and in the weeks that followed, coping with the loss of my uncle. Despite it all, I was further recognised with an Executive Dean’s Award in this session. Having a large amount of people around you cheering you on, really makes a difference.
Today, I am on track to finish my degree by the end of this year, and I have already secured a permanent full-time teaching position starting in Term 1, 2025, that weekend I turn 40. I will always be forever grateful to those who believed in me and awarded me a scholarship.
There are many Charles Sturt University scholarships open to apply now. My biggest advice to any student is to apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible, spend time reading the questions, checking the deadline and thinking about your answer before hitting the submit button. Being awarded a scholarship might change your life, as it has mine.
Click here to see the Jan White Scholarship.
Click here to see the Professional Placement Scholarship.
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