The award is given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievements in job skills, personal skills, industry knowledge and achievements in other pursuits.

Ms Priest, 19, completed a Diploma of Early Childhood Education at the Bendigo Kangan Institute Koori Education Unit in Echuca in December last year, after completing her Certificate III in Children's Services at the institute in February 2014.

She is now completing a bachelor degree at Deakin University, in Geelong, a feat she never imagined she would achieve.

"I never thought I would go to uni, ever," she said.

"I was really shocked when I won the Indigenous Student of the Year award and anyone could tell you I was completely shocked when I won overall student of the year ... my jaw dropped to the ground!"

Ms Priest overcame a turbulent early childhood, living with parents who "brought me down" until the age of eight, when she moved in with her grandparents, who have been a great support.  "When I told my nan I was nominated for the award she was ringing everyone up," she said. 

"She was ringing everyone up to tell them I was going to university before I'd even been accepted."

Ms Priest said studying at the Koori unit was a great fit for her, saying the best part of the institute was "being around your own mob and having that support".

"It's great having each other there and supporting each other to show the younger generation you can do things," she said.

Ms Priest has also suffered from depression, battling "ups and downs" to persevere with her studies.

While completing her studies, Ms Priest helped care for her younger siblings who have special needs and worked part-time at KR Castlemaine. 

Her advice to young people struggling with difficulties is to seek help.

"Don't be afraid to ask for help - stand up and say something because you're only going to help yourself in the end."