Community
Foundation Features | Lift Off Education Scholarship program applications now open
The Greater Shepparton Foundation builds partnerships and collaborations to connect the needs of the local community with essential resources and skills to tackle and disrupt the cycle of disadvantage. The Foundation Features series will help shine a light on those driving change through innovative initiatives, as well as highlight community organisations that align with the foundation’s purpose.
How many programs can hand on heart say they positively influenced the trajectory of someone’s life? Our Lift Off Education Scholarship program can!
In fact, through a recent study deep diving in to the past nine years of the program, 100 per cent of survey responders who had received scholarship support agreed the Lift Off Education Scholarship program had positively influenced the trajectory of their life.
For 97 per cent it supported them to participate in their chosen course, and for 95 per cent they were able to take advantage of opportunities that would not have been attainable otherwise.
With applications now open for the 2023 Lift Off Education Scholarship program, we encourage anyone between the ages of 17 and 24 considering post-secondary education who might be challenged by the costs of textbooks, travel, relocation or course fees to visit our website and check their eligibility.
With thanks to Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project’s Laptops With Love Project, all candidates who are interviewed for a scholarship in 2023 will also be eligible for a laptop, removing another barrier to achieving the further education dreams of young people in our community.
These scholarships are made possible via donations to Greater Shepparton Foundation and by business or individuals sponsoring a scholarship. If you would like to change the trajectory of a young person’s life and help them achieve their education aspirations, we always welcome new scholarship sponsors. For a confidential discussion, contact me, Amanda, at amanda@greatershepparton.foundation
The Lift Off Education Scholarship program was established in partnership with Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project to assist students facing financial and other barriers to higher education.
Studies show young people from regional Victoria defer university studies at twice the rate of their metropolitan counterparts. Lower levels of territory education participation and attainment overall were also recorded. It has been estimated that within Greater Shepparton only half of school leavers transition to tertiary education.
The core aims of the Lift Off Education Scholarship program are to reduce deferrals due to financial challenges, enable students to feel socially supported during their studies, improve students’ experience of higher education and potentially reinvest skills back into the local community.
Applications close on Friday, December 16. To find our more about our Lift Off Education Scholarship program and to apply online, please visit the ‘Scholarship Page’ on our website, www.greatershepparton.foundation
Until next time,
Amanda McCulloch
Executive Officer, Greater Shepparton Foundation