A number of organisations are offering university and TAFE scholarships to assist local students in their post-secondary education. Some of these have closing dates which are approaching. If you are a year 12 student, you should check your eligibility and consider applying.
Youthrive Scholarships
Formerly known as Macpherson Smith Rural Foundation (MSRF), Youthrive Victoria was created in 2008 with an establishment grant of $5 Million from the Helen Macpherson Smith Trust (HMSTrust), an independent philanthropic trust created by the late Helen Macpherson Schutt (nee Smith). The Rural Foundation, trading as Youthrive Victoria, has a vision that Victorian regional and rural communities will be thriving with strong input from skilled, resilient and motivated young people.
Youthrive Victoria’s round of scholarships is now open to rural and regional Victorian students planning to undertake further study in 2025.
Each year, the local not-for-profit provides a number of scholarships to Year 12 students who plan to undertake university studies, or further develop skills through vocational training.
In 2023, eleven Youthrive Victoria Rural University scholarships and twenty-one Rural Chances scholarships were awarded to young rural and regional Victorians looking to undertake further study in 2024.
Thanks to funding generously provided by philanthropic donors, ten university scholarships ($10,000 per year for three years) and twenty vocational scholarships (up to $5000) have been made available to young rural Victorians wanting to up-skill or pursue tertiary study in 2025.
The scholarships provide financial support to assist with living expenses and travel costs, specifically addressing the needs of students from regional areas. Youthrive Victoria also offers ‘Wrap Around Care’, which includes mentoring, capacity building and development opportunities.
University scholarship applications are now open, and close on 25 August 2023. Rural Chances vocational scholarships are now open, and close 14th November.
More information about Youthrive Victoria’s scholarships and how to apply is available at www.youthrivevictoria.org.au/scholarships/
Youthrive Victoria’s scholarships are funded by private donors, philanthropic trusts, and sponsors. If you would like to learn more, please contact CEO Andrew McGuckian at the Old Post Office 85a Albert Street Creswick, or by calling 03 6281 8303. If you are interested in donating, you can also find information on www.youthrivevictoria.org.au/donate.
Community Bank Daylesford District
Community Bank Daylesford District will offer scholarships for students from the local area.
The Community Bank welcomes applications from Australian citizens who live locally and/or go to school locally (postcodes 3460 or 3461), who are facing financial or social challenges and plan to embark on study in 2025 at either University or TAFE. Each scholarship offers up to $5,000 per year for up to two years and can be used to cover expenses related to studying. One scholarship will support a student undertaking Bachelor Degree study and the other scholarship will support a student undertaking TAFE Study.
Daylesford District Community Bank Scholarships are part of the Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Scholarship Program, which partners with Rural Bank.
Applications open in early October 2024 and close in late January 2025. Watch for specific opening and closing dates later in the year. Information and applications will be found at www.bendigobank.com.au/community/foundation/scholarships/.
Daylesford Foundation
The Daylesford Foundation Scholarships are designed to support young people in the Hepburn Shire to successfully transition from secondary school to further study or career-based endeavours.
The Scholarships program is open from 15th October and closes 10th January 2025. Applications are then reviewed, and all eligible applicants are invited to attend an interview. All applicants are then notified in late January of the outcome.
Scholarships are available to school leavers (students aged 16-24) who live in the Hepburn Shire (or attend a school in the district), and who plan to attend TAFE, university or commence a traineeship/ apprenticeship, and are experiencing significant barriers to achieving those plans.
Each awarded scholarship is tailored to the individual’s needs to best support them in transitioning successfully to the next stage of their life.  Previous applicants have received support with things such as rent, on-campus accommodation, laptops, uniforms, tools and school textbooks. Since the inception of the program in 2022, the foundation has awarded 19 scholarships.
For more information visit the Daylesford Foundation website or email enquiries@
This article is based on a media release from Youthrive and responses from the Community Bank Daylesford and the Daylesford Foundation.
