STUDENTEMERGENCYFUNDThe Student Emergency Fund wasestablished to ensure our students aresupported when they need it most.We believe that no student should bedisadvantaged and unable to continue theirstudies and pursue their dreams because ofunplanned and unforeseen life events.When Jake was 17, he found himselfhomeless because of domestic violence.He struggled through his first year ofuniversity, concentrating on how tosurvive, not how to learn.Living independently and working multiplepart-time jobs, Jake had little time toactually study. Not surprisingly, his firstyear of university didn’t go to plan and ontop of that, he discovered his initial degree(Engineering) wasn’t the right path and hispassion was Medicine.The support I received fromthe University has been reallybeneficial in getting me to where Iam now, which is on a career pathand study I am really enjoying.I hope to be a doctor one day andgive back to others in need.CRICOS 00123MAt the start of 2019 I was fortunate to receivea hardship grant from the University, whichallowed me to get a computer. It's amazingto be able to study when I need, rather thanwaiting to use the facilities at university or amate's laptop.Things were looking up, Jake was studyingfor the University Clinical Aptitude Test(UCAT), hoping to be accepted into theBachelor of Medicine and Bachelor ofSurgery (MBBS). Then COVID hit. He losthis jobs and found himself homeless again.At the start of 2020, Jake was accepted intothe MBBS.While my hard work and focus had paid off,and I should have been excited, I didn’t have ahome. There was no way I was going to be ableto enrol and keep up with the requirements ofthe MBBS without a place to live.In desperation I approached the Universityagain. They helped me with accommodation,money to buy pots and pans and a voucher forFood Bank. It meant I could cook for myself,focus on my studies and have a place to live –a home.With so many students experiencingfinancial stress each year, we need thehelp of our community today. Your gift,no matter how big or small, will directlysupport our students in their time of need.To support students in crisisplease visit ua.edu.au/give/sefor phone +61 8 8313 5800 andmake your gift today.ALUMNI MAGAZINE - SUMMER 202041
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