Cecily Eggmolesse has her grand-daughter to thank for her new lease on life.

Her grand-daughter completed a STEPS (preparatory) course at CQUniversity around the time Cecily's husband passed away. The idea formed for a fresh challenge to help overcome such a significant loss.

Cecily was in her 50s and had not studied for nearly 40 years, so the task was more than a little bit daunting.

Cecily Eggmolesse turned to CQUniversity's STEPS program.It was undertaking the free STEPS course at CQUniversity Gladstone that allowed her to realise there was more to life and that she still had plenty of living and learning to do.

With the unwavering support of the STEPs staff, Cecily passed the course but the affordability of university study was a concern and did not look possible with her financial situation.

"It was the CQUniversity staff that sourced scholarships for me and even helped me with the applications," Cecily said.

"With their support I received a Commonwealth Learning scholarship that provided me with cash support throughout my studies. I also won cash awards every year that helped with the costs of text books and other necessities."

Cecily graduated just a few weeks ago with a Bachelor of Arts and is now studying for her Masters of Letters in creative writing. She is also employed full-time as a social worker, something that just a few years ago she thought was well out of her reach.

For more information on the STEPs program or to register for an information and assessment session in Gladstone on June 18, please contact CQUniversity Gladstone on 4970 7277.