A USC student who has been able to continue his studies thanks to the generosity of others is encouraging people to dig deep for the University’s annual giving day on Thursday 10 August.

Duncan Strauss, 21, of Yandina, was one of more than a thousand USC students who applied for financial assistance in 2016.

He received one of USC’s Study Support Bursaries, which are funded by donations from the USC community to help undergraduate students reduce their hours of paid work and focus on their studies.

Duncan, who is studying a combined degree in Business and Commerce, is now one of the faces of USC’s ‘G-Day’, an annual giving day that encourages the USC community to get behind students who are doing it tough.

This year’s G-Day will raise money through an online crowdfunding campaign, a UniSuper sponsored breakfast, and a community garden party featuring live entertainment by rising star Caitlyn Shadbolt and local duo Sam & Marnie.

Every $2,000 raised through G-Day will provide one student with a Study Support Bursary, which will directly assist with study-related costs such as textbooks, food and transportation. One hundred percent of every gift will go directly to students, and all donations of $2 or more are fully tax deductible.

Duncan, who was born in South Africa, self-funded his first semester of study. After being granted Australian permanent residency he applied for a USC bursary, and said he was “surprised and honoured” to have received it.

He said gaining the Study Support Bursary had inspired him to adopt the G-Day mantra of ‘giving feels good’.

“The bursary has significantly reduced the financial burden my studies had placed on me, so I was able to reduce my hours of work and apply a greater deal of focus to my courses,” he said.

“The generosity of G-Day donors has also highlighted the importance of giving back, and I now strive to give back to future students once I have the financial capability to do so.”

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said this year the University hoped to exceed the $26,000 raised on G-Day in 2016.

“Each year we receive more than 1,000 applications from students needing financial support, but we are only able to assist a fraction of this number,” Professor Hill said.

“We know that for some students, that financial support can be the difference between completing a degree or not.

“The generosity of our community this G-Day will ensure as many students as possible are able to graduate from USC.”

G-Day is on Thursday 10 August. The G-Day party will be held at USC’s Sunshine Coast campus in Sippy Downs from 4-7pm. For more information or to donate go to usc.edu.au/gday.

— Jarna Baudinette