HSC Students Antonia Vial, 18, and Clare Belfanti, 18, were affected by the Blue MountainS fires. HUNDREDS of students who had the most important exams of their school years ruined by last month's devastating bushfires will be guaranteed a university place. The University of Western Sydney will today announce a "Staying on Track" program to offer about 700 HSC students from the Blue Mountains region assured spots in courses across its six campuses. UWS Vice-Chancellor Janice Reid said the university wanted to support the community and no students from the region should be disadvantaged in their study plans because of the fires. "Studying the HSC and applying to university can be stressful enough without the additional stress of worrying about your family and your home," she said. RFS calls on state government to establish interactive hazard reduction map Eight high schools were forced to close during the HSC exams at various stages of the bushfires, with campuses in some cases evacuated while students were in the middle of sitting their tests. Many students were also forced to shelve their study preparation to fight for their family homes, while others dropped their books to join volunteer fire brigades battling the blazes. Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill, Clare Belfanti, 18, Antonia Vial, 18, and council recovery committee representative Mick Fell have welcomed the UWS offer. Winmalee High School student Antonia Vial, 18, and her family lost their home during the fires - which destroyed her study notes along with other irreplaceable possessions. "The worst part was probably just missing that feeling of coming home to relax - it was all exhausting and you didn't even have that alone time," Ms Vial said. It's kind of unfair ... but this offer definitely makes me feel a lot more safe and secure. It gets rid of that extra worry that's on everyone's mind. The university will also provide $2000 scholarships for students whose homes were destroyed or suffered significant damage during the fires. Clare Belfanti, 18, had to evacuate her family's Faulconbridge home "three or four times" during her exam period while her school, St Columba's at Springwood, was shut down and students forced to sit their tests in Emu Plains. St Columba's at Springwood was affected by the fires. Picture: Kirra-lee Wynands Source: Supplied "It was very hard to concentrate while you were trying to watch out for spot fires, as well as all of the disturbance of the fire engines and helicopters around," she said. While students whose exams were disrupted by the bushfires can appeal to the Board of Studies for special consideration, Ms Belfanti said the guaranteed offer from UWS "lifted a massive weight off your shoulders" for her and her classmates. "Everyone in the mountains has been affected by the fires because we are such a close community up here," she said. While some courses such as medicine will have extra entry requirements, the university has pledged to work with all students from the area to find a way into their chosen field. Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill said he was left "completely and utterly speechless" when he first received a phone call about the university's plan. "This is not just a statement about these students ... it is a statement of support for the entire community of the Blue Mountains at a time when we are facing such a huge construction effort and community rebuilding effort," he said.