CDU supports students through lockdown with hardship grants, counselling

Charles Darwin University is offering free counselling and hardship grants to support students through the Covid-19 lockdown.

CHARLES Darwin University is offering free counselling and hardship grants to students who may need financial help, emergency housing support or who have been impacted by loss of income from the Covid-19 lockdown.

CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman said the university was working with the Kindness Shake to offer free meals to students and had set up a dedicated helpline for students.

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“We understand this is a challenging time for our students who may be away from their regular home base and would encourage them to use the supports available to them,” he said.

CDU Master of Accounting student Rafat Hossain arrived in Australia in March last year from Bangladesh just before borders closed, and shared the struggles many students were enduring.

“Things are pretty tough, our hours at work have been cut, which is a bit challenging financially. It’s a hard time but we are getting through it,” she said.

“One week is manageable but longer than that will be challenging. We hope it will get back to normal soon.”

CDU’s campuses at Casuarina, Darwin Waterfront, Palmerston and Alice Springs will remain closed for the rest of the week.

Any student facing hardship should contact the university on the CDU Covid helpline 1800 945 010.

Students are encouraged to book a free appointment with a counsellor at cdu.edu.au/current-students/life-wellbeing/counselling.