Scholarships

Gippsland Community Foundation scholarships to date have been for study beyond secondary school for students impacted by the 2019/2020 bushfires. The criteria for applicants for business scholarships are set by the sponsoring firms.
There are two types of scholarships offered, differing mainly in the type of course offering.

Vocational education and training (including TAFE and other similar registered training organisations)
Higher education (including universities)

The Scholarships are open to students in the East GThese scholarships are open to students in East Gippsland Shire. Priority is given to students who live or lived in townships and communities that were directly impacted by fires, although all students living across East Gippsland Shire are welcome to apply.ippsland Shire. Priority will be to students who live or lived in townships and communities that were directly impacted by fires, although all students living across the East Gippsland Shire are welcome to apply.

If your family home is in a bushfire impacted area and you have been living elsewhere in Australia whilst studying at secondary school (e.g., attending a boarding school in a metropolitan area) or undertaking vocational or tertiary education then you are eligible to apply.
If you have moved temporarily out of East Gippsland Shire, for example to obtain summer work prior to commencing your studies, then you are likely to be eligible. We suggest you email us with your circumstances so we can advise you.
If you were living in East Gippsland at the time of the fires and have since moved away permanently, either independently or with your family, you are eligible to apply, but should note that priority with be given to applicants who retain an East Gippsland connection.
The Gippsland Community Foundation has launched Business Scholarships in 2024.

A business scholarship entails financial scholarship support from a Gippsland based business to a local student who is studying in a field related to a work force gap in their industry.

Besides funding, there are opportunities for the successful student to work part time in their sponsor’s business during semester breaks or more regularly on a part time basis.

The scholarship supports accommodation costs and/or other expenses directly related to the study of successful applicants (e.g. rent, course costs, study related materials/equipment, textbooks, tutoring).

Yes. At the end of each funded year, scholarship recipients will be required to provide the Gippsland Community Foundation with copies of receipts to show that funds were expended on intended purposes.

Yes.

There is no restriction on the course undertaken. However, the following applies:

• Vocational education and training must be 6 months or more (based on a full-time study mode)
• Higher education must be a university course over 1-4 years.

• The dollar value for a vocational education and training course is $5,000 for a full year or pro rata if the course is between 6 and 12 months. Scholarships are not available for courses shorter than 6 months.
• The dollar value for a higher education course (i.e., a university course) over 1-4 years is $7,000 per annum for full time study. Note that scholarships paid beyond 1 year will only be made when the student provides proof of successful completion of the year; ongoing enrolment to subsequent years; and acquittal for the course expenditure in line with intended purposes. Subsequent year funding is at the discretion of the Gippsland Community Foundation.
• Dollar amounts may be adjusted depending on other scholarships received by the applicant.

Please check the eligibility criteria for the specific scholarship for which you wish to apply.
Please contact the Gippsland Community Foundation if you are not proposing to study full time.

No. Both vocational education and training and higher education and is supported. The application form is the same for both Scholarships.

An undergraduate bachelor’s degree course provided by an accredited university or college, in an approved Australian course, usually of a 3–4-year duration.

Courses provided by an un-registered training organisation are not eligible. Courses shorter than 6 months full time are not eligible.

• The vocational education and training Scholarships are to assist students undertaking certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree level studies at TAFE or a similar registered training organisation.
• The higher education Scholarships are to assist students undertaking a bachelor’s degree level.

The university or college must be an accredited and registered tertiary provider.

If you are applying for a vocational education and training Scholarship for study at TAFE or a similar registered training organisation, in a course other than a bachelor’s degree, any prior attendance at with a registered provider does not affect your eligibility.

To be eligible for our higher education (university) scholarships for study at bachelor’s degree level you must be either a first-time tertiary student; entering the second or third year of a course you started later than 2020; or a mature aged student.

Yes, you are eligible to apply as a mature age student if you meet other eligibility criteria. 

• Scholarships for vocational education and training (i.e., TAFE or similar), in a course other than bachelor’s degree, support full-time and part-time study.
  The course must be greater than 6 months duration.
• Higher education (i.e., university) Scholarships to support study at bachelor’s degree level the course you intend to study must be classified as full time by your university or college.

We realise that the financial reality means that most students do have to work whilst studying. If you are applying for a scholarship to support study for a bachelor’s degree and studying part time, any scholarship awarded will be on a pro rata basis.

If you are applying for a scholarship for vocational education and training (such as study at TAFE or similar registered training provider in a course other than a bachelor’s degree) then combining full-time work and studying in block release is acceptable.

If you plan to work full-time and study  in block release (such as night school or full-time block release) for a bachelor’s degree then you should contact Gippsland Community Foundation  for advice prior to applying for a scholarship.

Yes, provided that the overseas study is a component of an approved Australian course, and the approved Australian course must give credit for the overseas study.

Unfortunately, no, as the scholarship is only for undergraduate students.

Initially, yes. Depending on your academic performance, the scholarship may be renewed to cover a second or subsequent years. Proof of academic performance is required to be considered for on-going funding, as is an acquittal of major items of expenditure at year end.

The number and value of the awards are at the discretion of the Gippsland Community Foundation from year to year.

Business sponsored scholarship support will also depend on the willingness of local businesses to support a scholarship student with paid part time work placement as part of the agreement.

No. We would suggest you apply for a future program, as the scholarship does require study to commence in first semester of the year you are studying.

If the scholarships run in future years, then, yes, depending on the criteria at the time.

Unfortunately, no, we cannot “hold over” funds. If you are awarded a scholarship and subsequently defer, you must notify us immediately.

The Gippsland Community Foundation does not offer taxation advice regarding the scholarship, so we suggest that you obtain your own professional advice.

You must notify us immediately if you do not continue your study once your funds are received and your contract is signed.  Call 0499 241 917 to discuss. Reimbursement of part or all of the value of the scholarship might be required.