Border universities are hoping they get their fair share of new students as part of scholarships announced in the federal budget.
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The $93.7 million Destination Australia program will provide up to 4720 scholarships over four years, worth $15,000 each, to encourage both domestic and international students to study in regional Australia.
They will not be available to use at metropolitan universities or TAFEs.
La Trobe University regional pro vice-chancellor Richard Speed was happy with the funding, but unsure how many extra places the university would receive.
"It will be disappointing if these scholarships weren't appropriately spread around," he said.
It can be either the appeal of life in a capital city or a desire to live in communities with other people of their nationality that keeps international students away from the regions.
"The regions miss out on international students," Professor Speed said.
"The students who do come to the regions do have an amazing quality of life."
He said La Trobe University was also keen to be part of discussions involving the Albury-Wodonga regional deal, as part of the infrastructure of the twin cities.
Indi MP Cathy McGowan said the Destination Australia program would also help students who wanted to remain living at home while they go to university, rather than move to Melbourne or Sydney.
"The program will support up to 1200 domestic and international students per year with the costs of studying at a higher education or vocational education and training campus in regional areas," she said.
"These initiatives strengthen access for students to regional universities such as Charles Sturt and La Trobe in Indi and provide much needed support."
The budget also had funds for 16 regional study hubs, without specifying the locations.
Ms McGowan said North East Local Learning and Education Network missed out after advocating last year, but now had another chance.
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