Mr Wood is a 42-year-old full-time first-year student who admits the challenge of leaving the police force and transitioning to civilian life "has been a struggle at times, and a big adjustment".

"Walking onto campus during 2020 Orientation Week as a mature-age student, I had enormous doubts and anxiety as to whether, firstly, I could learn again, and secondly, whether I would fit in," he said.

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"The welcome by the Orientation Week staff and student body, as well as the student services team, helped ease my nerves, and once the lectures and tutorials commenced, the support from the lecturers was fantastic."

Mr Wood, a single father of three children aged 13, 10 and seven, spent six years with the Australian Federal Police in Sydney and six years with NSW Police.

He is the recipient of a $3000 Bathurst Teachers' College (BTC) Alumni Scholarship, which is provided to a student who is a family member of a BTC graduate.

Mr Wood attended Kelso High School, and his father, who graduated in 1970 from BTC, a predecessor institution of Charles Sturt University, taught for 35 years, mostly in Bathurst.

After graduation, Mr Wood hopes to teach in a primary or high school.

"Being a divorced father of three children for whom I share 50/50 care, and changing careers, the challenge of returning to study as a mature-age student was extremely daunting and the juggling act of life has been eased with the support of this scholarship," he said.

He said the scholarship has enabled him to purchase textbooks, a laptop for use at home and on campus, as well as items to assist study, such as charts and worksheets, and be able to print journal articles and notes for study, which also help him plan and allocate study time.

"Having the financial support of this scholarship has had a flow-on effect in that my current costs of living and raising my family can be met more effectively with my current income," he said.

"Without this scholarship I would have found it very hard to adjust my budget to be able to afford learning materials as well as day-to-day necessities."

For more information about Charles Sturt University scholarships, visit study.csu.edu.au/get-support/scholarships.