The Morrison-McCormack Government is encouraging students to study outside of capital cities through the Destination Australia scholarship program.

Paris Nicolaou moved from Sydney to Coffs Harbour this year to do her honours year in psychology at Southern Cross University (SCU).

Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan said Destination Australia had proved successful in attracting students here and he encouraged regional tertiary education and vocational education providers to make applications for scholarships of up to $15,000 a student per year through Round 2.

“Under Round 1 of the Destination Australia program, TAFE NSW at its Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie campuses offered two scholarships to a student studying a Diploma in Hospitality Management and a Diploma in Travel and Tourism Management,” he said.

“Charles Sturt University awarded 14 scholarships to students studying a Diploma of General Studies, Bachelor of Nursing, Bachelor of Environmental Science and Management, Master of Information Technology and Master of Professional Accounting.

“And SCU provided 11 scholarships to students studying a Bachelor of Marine Science and Management at the National Marine Science Centre in Coffs Harbour, plus four scholarships for students studying a Bachelor of Psychological Science with Honours.

“This program has been great in promoting our area to students and it has attracted many here. I encourage universities and TAFE and vocational education providers to make applications for Round 2.”

The second round of the Australian Government’s Destination Australia program is open until 7 July and this grant round will increase the number of scholarships by an estimated 250 places through $4 million a year over four years from the Australian Government.

Ms Nicolaou was one of 16 students to receive a scholarship with SCU.

“I am extremely grateful to have received the Destination Australia scholarship and I moved from Sydney to Coffs Harbour for my honours year in psychology,” Ms Nicolaou said.

“Having this scholarship has allowed me to completely focus on my studies, without economic burden.

“I’m glad to get out of Sydney. Coffs is a lot more chilled.

“The staff at Southern Cross are really helpful and I can email one of them with a query and I get a response. That doesn’t happen in the city.”

Tertiary and vocational education providers should check their eligibility and apply via the Community Grants Hub. Applications close on 7 July 2020. Students can then apply directly to institutions for scholarships.

Successful providers will be entitled to additional funding to allocate, administer and promote the scholarships to prospective on-shore international and domestic students.

For more information visit www.education.gov.au/destination-australia