University Advancement Office Alumni and Friends

Thanks to the generosity of student donors, the Appeal tally at the end of 2011 was:

Phenomenal!!! We have reached 2011 our goal! Thanks to all the students and staff who have already given so generously!!! We have raised enough to provide 25 rental assistance grants worth $500 each.

Thank you to those who attended the Thank You event on 20th October 2011 at Tsubu Bar (1888 Building). Speeches by Student Co-chairs Imran Zaveer and Tamasan Freyer were a highlight of the event. They gave heartfelt reasons for their involvement in the Appeal and why it is important for students to get involved in helping other in the university community.

If you are a current student and want to get involved in the 2012 Student Appeal program please email Ellie Bock at ebock@unimelb.edu.au or call 9035 4535. The Appeal is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students. Committee selection will start in April 2012 and the appeal will launch in August 2012.

The Student Appeal is a student-led group of volunteers raising funds to support students in financial need. Apart from helping fellow students to alleviate their financial burden, another goal of the Student Appeal is to build awareness of the University's need for philanthropic support. Most students experience the challenge of balancing study with part-time work to keep pace with the increasing costs of rent and living expenses. However, some students begin to struggle after lengthy periods of illness, or when they don't have the support of their families or if they themselves are supporting their own families. In severe situations some students are forced to withdraw from study altogether because they can't keep up with the study or can't pay their rent. Such circumstances negatively impact on students' wellbeing, ability to study properly, and live a normal life.

The Student Appeal's Rent Assistance campaign directly supports those students who are desperately in need of the financial assistance. The Student Financial Aid Office assesses the eligibility of students to financial aid and awards grants of $500 in greatest need.

• In Semester 1 each year some 1,200 students apply for student financial aid grants. But for every student who receives assistance 2 or 3 more students miss out. This is because funding the University receives for student financial aid is limited. The Student Appeal is aiming to make more rental assistance grants available to those who need them.
• The rentals assistance grants are worth $500. For those in need of financial support, this amount provides valuable breathing space for students when they need to spend more time on their study instead of a lot of time working a casual or part-time job.
• From 2008 the Student Appeal started raising money for rental assistance grants. Since then it has raised $35,652 to provide grants of $500 to 71 students in need of financial assistance. This amount includes some $13,000 in matching funds provided by the University.
• Since 2006, the Student Appeal has raised over $42,000 to help students on campus. This is thanks to some 850 donors and the hard work of well over 300 student volunteers!
• This year the Student Appeal aims to raise $12,000 to provide an additional 24 rental assistance grants. We hope that several hundred more donors and volunteers will help us in the appeal.

By becoming a donor, you will...

• Help other students to lessen their financial burden
• Increase awareness of the impact that rent assistance grants have
• Promote an equality of opportunity for all students
• Help improve the University community!  

Donation of any amount will make a difference!

Donate Now

By becoming a volunteer, you will...

• Gain experience in fundraising skills which are essential in various industries in Australia
• Receive training and support from the Student Appeal Leadership Committee
• Receive a 2011 Appeal T-shirt and a certificate of participation for those who commit volunteering for 4 hours or more
• Be invited to a thank you event at the end of the Appeal campaign

Is donation really important?
Absolutely! Your donation, no matter the amount, is combined with the donations of many other students. If we had 1,200 students donate $5 each we could raise $6,000; enough for 12 rent assistance grants. In addition, every donation of $5 or more is matched by the University of Melbourne! So with each gift we get even closer to achieving our goal of raising $12,000!

Your donation shows students in need that you care about their welfare and it shows you care about the University community.

Where will my money go and what will it do?
100% of the funds raised will go directly to the students in need through the Student Financial Aid Office. Students are means-tested to ensure those with the greatest need receive a grant.

What will I get for contributing to the Student Appeal Rent Assistance Campaign?
In addition to feeling good about giving to help students in need, donors and volunteers alike will receive an ‘I’m a giver’ badge and an invitation to the thank you event at the end of campaign.

Volunteers will also receive a certificate and a campaign tee-shirt for their work of 4 hours of more.

Further Information
If you are interested in being involved in or have further questions about the Student Appeal, or wish to provide feedback, please contact Ellie Bock on +61 3 9035 4535 or by email ebock@unimelb.edu.au.