La Trobe University has committed over AUD$12m to support its students during 
the COVID-19 pandemic.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students), Professor Jessica Vanderlelie, said this 
student support recognises the hardships and challenges that students are 
facing, with many losing jobs or access to family support because of the global 
virus response.

"This crisis has been acutely felt amongst our international students and I am 
pleased to say that AUD$6.8m has been allocated to directly support our 
international students," Professor Vanderlelie said.

"The University, along with the rest of the sector, continues to lobby the 
Federal, Victorian and local governments to step up and support our students, 
particularly international students.

"I am immensely proud of all the staff, alumni and the wider La Trobe family, 
for all of their support for our students."

The University, in Victoria Australia, has now awarded over AUD$4m in emergency 
bursaries, $4m in Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) refunds to students 
and another $4m in accommodation credits, parking refunds and other direct 
student support.

Over AUD $531,000 of this has been raised through the 
https://www.latrobe.edu.au/giving/student-crisis

Early census data suggests 98.3 per cent of bursary recipients have continued 
with their studies this semester.

"This is an outstanding result and clear evidence that this funding is 
supporting our most vulnerable students to continue their studies," Professor 
Vanderlelie said.

SOURCE: La Trobe University