Griffith Uni offers fee discount to international students

Griffith University will give most of its international students a fee discount, and its executive will take a pay cut.

Griffith University vice-chancellor Carolyn Evans. Pic: Mark Cranitch.

Griffith University will give most of its international students a 20 per cent fee discount in this year’s second trimester which starts in July.

The fee reduction will apply to international students doing a substantial study load who don’t already have a scholarship of greater value.

It’s part of a $15 million aid package for students who are struggling financially as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with many losing their part-time jobs.

Griffith University vice-chancellor Carolyn Evans also said that she and her senior executive would take a 20 per cent pay cut for the next six months and the savings would help the university fund the aid package.

“I have never seen a more difficult time for students, with many losing their only source of income,” Professor Evans said.

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She said that international students had been particularly hard hit.

“International students have been unable to access federal government support, and many have lost part-time jobs as a result of COVID-19, while their families at home have also been affected and are unable to provide financial support,” she said.

“Going home is also not necessarily possible due to travel restrictions and limited flights.”

Of the more than 2200 domestic and international students who have received help, 200 students had borrowed a computer to assist with the transition to online study.

Other measures include $1.8m worth of equity scholarships and support for indigenous students. “No fail” grades have also been introduced for this trimester.

Griffith joins a growing list of institutions and their executives that have taken measures to alleviate difficulty for students as the COVID-19 lockdown continues.

University of Queensland vice-chancellor Peter Hoj has increased his fortnightly contribution to the university’s hardship fund to 20 per cent of his salary.

Queensland University of Technology vice-chancellor Margaret Sheil last week foreshadowed a reduction in executive and senior staff remuneration at her university.

Peak body Universities Australia recently said many of the more than 310,000 higher education students living and studying in Australia had lost their part-time jobs but that most states and territories had offered aid.

New South Wales is the only state that has not yet done so.