"Being from a small town doesn't necessarily mean you can't go to university,"

Tara-Lee Swainston was awarded the 2015 Wellington Council Scholarship at a ceremony at Charles Sturt University's Albury campus.

Tara will use the scholarship to purchase a laptop computer to help her with her studies.

"This scholarship means I will be able to purchase a computer which will last a significant amount of time while completing university and into my working career," she said.

"I will have the latest technology needed to successfully complete assignments and research tasks to a higher standard. It also means I will be able to purchase apps and study tools for the computer that will assist me in completing my degree."

Tara said that, as the first person from her immediate family to attend university, the scholarship meant a lot to her and she would proudly acknowledge she was a student from Wellington.

"Being from a small town doesn't necessarily mean you can't go to university," she said. "I want to thank Wellington Council for the financial assistance to help me do as well as I can in my course."

Tara's scholarship was presented by the university's Associate Dean of the Faculty of Science Associate Professor Gayle Smythe.