Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship Fund

Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship Fund

Empower students, enable success

Everyone deserves the chance to succeed

As the number one university for student support in WA, we firmly believe that everyone, regardless of background or financial status, should have the chance to fulfil their potential.

But sometimes hard work is not enough.

In today's world, a helping hand is needed more than ever, and that's where you come in.

By supporting the Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship Fund, you will be rewarding hard work and initiative and helping remove the financial barriers that all too often hinder the progress of our tenacious and talented undergraduates. Your support ensures everyone who’s driven and determined to succeed and improve themselves can do so.

What's more, your generous contribution will go far beyond supporting an individual to achieve their goals. With our employability rates topping those of all WA universities, you'll be helping create a skilled, future-ready workforce of hardworking, driven individuals that will be critical to WA's future success.

Susan Schofield Director, Office of Development and Alumni Relations

Edith Cowan University acknowledges the Traditional Owners, Custodians and Knowledge-Holders of these unceded lands upon which students and staff live, learn and work, and pays its respects to the ancestors and Elders of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

The struggle to succeed

Our students come from all walks of life, but they have one thing in common: the passion and drive to succeed in their chosen course and career.

These students are striving to succeed despite, and often because of, the odds stacked against them and the challenges they face.

Over the last two years, we’ve seen record numbers of students applying for financial support, no doubt due to the rising cost of living. While the number of scholarship applicants increased exponentially, the number of scholarships available, unfortunately, remained the same.

We want to do everything we can to support our students, empowering them to succeed and realise their dreams. But we can’t do it alone; we need your help!

students remain in need More support needed 832 43% of our domestic students are the first in their family 23% of our domestic students are also parents or unpaid carers

734

students applied for a scholarship scholarships were funded

98

13% of our domestic students live regionally or remotely

12% of our domestic students are living with a disability

Growing up in a single parent family, money has always been a concern. However, [thanks to my scholaraship] I am able to successfully pay for my own university degree, decreasing the financial strain my family experiences.”

Larnie, Bachelor of Social Work

Why ECU and why now?

Potential and drive should never go to waste. At ECU, we exist to create opportunities for everyone, firmly believing education uplifts us all – as individuals and as a community.

But for many, financial pressure creates unnecessary barriers; some even go without food to make ends meet. You might be surprised to learn that our “average” student is a 26-year-old mum juggling study, assignments and unpaid work placements alongside paid work and family responsibilities.

Whether teachers, nurses, engineers or performing artists, graduates from ECU make significant contributions to our communities, but right now, far too many students are struggling to get to the finish line of their degrees and out into the workforce.

44% of ECU students considering leaving cited financial difficulty (QILT SES 2024)

34% have cut or skipped meals due to lack of money (SSAFE Sept 2025)

25% of students are working full-time while studying (79% working in some form) * 6

I am beyond grateful and cannot express enough how much this has helped and relieved some pressure of studying full-time and being a single mum to two neurodivergent children.”

Danielle, Bachelor of Speech Pathology Honours

Inspiring Minds

T he Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship Fund was established in 2015 to help undergraduate students from any discipline and all walks of life to achieve their dreams of a university education. Our Inspiring Minds Scholarship helps:

• students from low socio-economic backgrounds

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students

• students with disability

• students with chronic illness, medical conditions and/or mental health conditions

• students with caring responsibilities

• care leavers / people with experience of out-of-home care

• students from rural or regional areas of Australia

• LGBTIQA+ students

• students impacted by family and domestic violence

Hear from Inspiring Minds Equity Scholarship recipients, Sarah and Luke bit.ly/ECU-Inspiring-Minds-2025

A bold ambition

We aim to monumentally scale up our scholarship program adding an additional 100 scholarships each year until 2030.

Our goal is to give 500 students per year the opportunity of a life changing education by the end of the decade.

Will you help us?

We are proud of our impact

Powering WA’s health and education workforce

Producing the largest number of teachin g, nursing and midwifery graduates in WA.

Research that changes lives

Cutting-edge research in nutrition, cancer prevention and treatment, cyber security, environmental science and more.

Championing diversity, equity and inclusion

Broadening the representation of equity groups with 43% of our domestic students being the first in their family, 13% from regional or remote areas, and 12% with a disability.

A place where talent and culture thrive

Home of the internationally recognised Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and Kurongkurl Katitjin – our Centre for Indigenous Australian Education and Research.

ECU graduate employment rate tops all WA universities

The latest Graduate Outcomes Survey shows 93% of our graduates are in full-time employment within 3 years of completing their degrees, above the national average.

After my dad’s passing, I gained more financial responsibility than I have ever had, to the point where I questioned my passion and career choice. This scholarship has helped me and my family get back on our feet, helped relieve my mental stress on the upcoming bills, and [allowed] me to focus on my studies.”

Graciano, Bachelor of Music

Be part of our donor community

By donating, you’ll join a collective of like-minded people passionate about making a positive difference. You’ll receive regular updates on the progress and achievements of scholarship recipients.

Plus, you’ll be invited to special events and activities that celebrate the impact of your generosity.

Your support makes all the difference

For our students, your donation is more than a dollar figure; it’s a message of belief, of encouragement and of hope.

100% of your donation will go directly to deserving students; there are no fees or administration costs for you or the student.

How to give

Donations are fully tax deductible and can be made as a one-off gift or via regular instalments. A full scholarship is $3,000, but any donation value will be gratefully received and make a difference in growing the fund.

Donate online today giving.ecu.edu.au/inspiringminds

Want to learn more?

Talk to our Senior Scholarships Advisor, Janelle Lynch:

P: (+618) 6304 2761

E: giving@ecu.edu.au

W: giving.ecu.edu.au/inspiringminds