University helps struggling students survive
Thu 05 November 2009
Alexis Day, Journalism major
Sunshine Coast students are turning to the University for Support as they struggle to study, work and even eat.
Full time students at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) need to spend around three hours on campus per course a week, along with extra time at home to study to ensure they pass the three to four courses they are enrolled in per semester.
To be able to gain financial support from the government new laws, as of 1 July 2009, mean students must work at least 30 hours a week for 18 months.
The university offers a limited number of scholarships and bursaries to students per semester, but with the price of text books and learning supplies there is still no money left to help any student live comfortably.
USC business student Stephanie Lauchlan works casually at McDonalds and says she feels the pressure of needing to work while she completes her degree.
“I like being able to have a social side at work and earn my own money, but at the same time work restricts the time I have to study.” Miss Lauchlan said.
Finding the right balance between work, study and what social life a university student can have, is proving to be a difficult task for most students. 
“To get Austudy I need to work 30 hours for 18 months. This is near impossible if I want to keep my grades and pass all my subjects.” Miss Lauchlan said.
“The 30 hours would have to be around my uni timetable and I’d also have to factor in the time it takes to get to and from uni.
“I think I’d be too tired to keep it up.
“I really want money that I don’t need to work for so I have lots of time to just focus on uni.”
The Sunshine Coast Daily reported some students are feeling the pressure more than others, forcing them to drop out of university to focus on work, just so they can eat, have a place to live and have the basic’s to survive in general.
USC is one of the first universities in Australia to start programs to help struggling students, who are living off of one meal a day.
The university has a loan scheme allowing student’s access to up to a $500 loan for text books and/ or study aids.
There is also a chance for students to borrow an emergency loan of $50.
USC’s student equity and diversity officer Marjorie Blowers is in charge of emergency food parcels accessible to students and says students who come to her asking for help are in high need of support.
“I get weekly enquiries for help,” Ms Blowers said
The emergency food hampers are available for all students needing help and rely on weekly donations to keep them running.
Students get a choice of what they want in the hamper.
“They can get tinned foods, for example tinned vegetables, baked beans, spaghetti, tinned soups and meals etc.” Ms Blowers said
“Packet pasta, rice, spaghetti sauces, noodles, biscuits, milk, breakfast foods, snack food, noodle cups and so on.
“Students with dietary needs can also get specific foods on request. Eg. gluten free stuff.”
More students are becoming aware of the food hampers and they are becoming more popular than the loan schemes.
“I support enough students to show that there is a need.” Ms Blowers said
“Students are aware of the services via the student bulletin and word of mouth.
“When I am given fresh fruit etc it is put on a table outside for students to take.”
Miss Lauchlan said she would use the services set up by the university if worse came to worse.
“I would ask for help if I really needed to. I think I would go to student services or call the uni to seek help financially.” Miss Lauchlan said
The university holds a free breakfast each week for all students also run by Ms Blowers.
“There are also free pancake breakfasts (two pancakes are equal to two pieces of toast nutritionally)” Ms Blowers said
Image(s) designed by Alexis Day