Student potential celebrated through University scholarships

Federation University Australia is recognising student potential and easing the financial barriers to learning with 232 scholarships awarded in 2026. 

The grants across the Gippsland, Ballarat, Berwick and Wimmera campuses amount to more than $1 million in support to help students with costs including petrol, groceries, textbooks and computers. 

For third-year Bachelor of Education (Primary) student Charlotte Dorl, receiving the Gippsland Education Precinct Bursary meant being able to purchase a much-needed new laptop, a critical tool to help her realise her dream of becoming a teacher. 

“I’ve always wanted to be a teacher since I was a little kid and doing a gap year at Morwell Central Primary School for my Certificate II in Education Support really grounded my love for teaching and working with kids,” Charlotte said. 

“I had to buy a new laptop this year, so this bursary came at the perfect time and receiving previous scholarships during my studies has assisted me to support my family and contribute to household and personal bills.” 

As a Kurnai College graduate, receiving the Gippsland Education Precinct bursary holds special significance for Charlotte. 

“I really appreciated being so close to the university in year 11 and 12 and having access to all the resources and getting acquainted with the campus,” she said. 

Currently working in education support at St Vincent De Paul Primary School while finishing her degree, Charlotte is eager to eventually step into her own classroom as a fully qualified teacher. 

“My goal is to teach full time for a few years and then return to study either a Master of Education or explore the arts and humanities.” 

For Bachelor of Physiotherapy student Tayla Smith, receiving the FRRR (Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal) bursary will help with travel costs from home in Bunyip to the Gippsland campus.

The final-year student is also doing a placement at Federation’s Physiotherapy Virtual Care Clinic and works as a physio with Melbourne’s VFL team. 

Tayla said the placement and the role with Melbourne provided the best of both worlds, with the telehealth role surprising her at how much patients can benefit from the service despite it not being a hands-on role.  

“It’s a free service that people don’t have to travel to, and it’s actually been really great for me and my development as a physio,” she said. 

“I’ve always loved sport, and my goal is to become a physio for an AFL club, so this bursary is really helping me get to uni and to my placements. It’s made a big difference for me and has helped me keep moving towards where I want to be in the future.” 

FRRR has this year supported Federation University to provide 50 bursaries to eligible physio students completing their placement at the Federation Physiotherapy Virtual Care Clinic, which gives those living with chronic musculoskeletal, neurological or cardiorespiratory health conditions access to free healthcare under the supervision of experienced educators and clinicians.