Meet the ACT student paving the way for her community

A Canberra student has been announced as a recipient of an RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship for 2026, an annual program that supports students committed to making a difference in rural and regional Australia. 

Indigo Nowlan-Crisp is among 83 scholarship recipients from across rural and regional NSW and the ACT, recognised for their ambition to use their studies and future careers to give back to their communities and help build a stronger, more sustainable future.

Nowlan-Crisp is studying a double degree in Veterinary Biology & Veterinary Science and is looking forward to applying her newly acquired knowledge and skills in a rural dairy community at the completion of her studies.

RAS Foundation Manager, Cecilia Logan, said the scholarship program aims to ease the financial pressures faced by students and enable them to focus on their studies and career aspirations.

“For many young people, pursuing tertiary education comes with significant financial challenges including the cost of tuition, relocating or travel, as well as daily living expenses. For students in rural and regional areas, those challenges are further amplified”, Logan said.

“We want to ensure that location isn’t a barrier to opportunity for talented, hard-working students. This scholarship can provide the support and financial freedom they need to pursue their goals and ultimately make a positive impact in the communities that helped shape them”.

Scholarships are available for up to $7000 for full-time students, or up to $3000 for those studying part-time, and made possible through the generosity of RAS Foundation donors like the Snow Foundation, who has sponsored Nowlan-Crisp’s scholarship.

Since implementing its scholarship programs in 2009 the RAS Foundation has supported more than one thousand students across Australia, investing more than $6 million into educational scholarships, including specialised scholarships in fields such as regional journalism and the Australian wine industry.

Applications for the 2027 Rural Scholarships are now open and will close Monday, 5 October 2026. The program is open to students across NSW and the ACT who are currently enrolled or applying for study in an accredited tertiary course at an Australian university, college, or TAFE. For further information, please visit www.rasf.org.au.

Biography for Indigo Nowlan-Crisp Hi-res images can be found here.

Indigo is in her fifth year of Veterinary Science at Charles Sturt University in Wagga Wagga and is interested in becoming a dairy veterinarian. She developed a passion for dairy medicine while working on a dairy farm outside of Wagga during her studies, and hopes to continue working towards a career as a mixed practice veterinarian in a rural dairy community. Outside of her studies, she enjoys camping, four-wheel driving, hiking, and anything that involves being outdoors. She also has a soft spot for injured wildlife, having nursed a number of birds and even an echidna back to health at home.

Scholarship donated by: Snow Foundation

For further information or interview opportunities please contact:

Samantha Cannings

E: scannings@rasnsw.com.au M: 0411 864 836 P: 02 9704 1453

Nicola Dalby

E: ndalby@rasnsw.com.au M: 0434 579 906 P: 02 9704 1041

About the RAS Foundation:

The RAS Foundation is a charitable foundation that encourages educational opportunities and helps build strong and sustainable rural and regional communities through a range of targeted grants and scholarships.

Visit www.rasf.org.au for more information on the RAS Foundation.