Scholarships and financial assistance
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Scholarships
The Gordon offers scholarships from $500 to $7,000 to help with the costs of studying, including course fees, books, study materials, travel and basic living expenses. Explore The Gordon Scholarship rounds below to see what’s available, check your eligibility and find out when to apply.
The Gordon Scholarship Program is supported by more than 20 generous benefactors. Meet our benefactors
The Gordon Scholarships rounds - Applications currently closed
| Round | Who it's for | Applications open | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jump start | Students who accept their offer and are enrolled before 24 November | 1 September - 31 October | January |
| Empowerment | Current students who are enrolled and have started their course before 10 March | 1 December -10 March | April |
| Inspire your future | Students starting in Semester 2 who accept their offer and are enrolled before 12 July | 1 April to 30 June | August |
Eligibility requirements
To be considered for a Gordon scholarship, you must:
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or hold a Bridging, Temporary or Permanent Humanitarian Visa
- be enrolled in a course at The Gordon that runs for 6 months or more
- be experiencing financial hardship
- have parent or guardian consent before applying if you’re under 18.
Scholarship payments
- Scholarships are not redeemable for cash
- 80% of the scholarship is paid at the start, with the remaining 20% paid at the end of the year, or when you complete your course if this is earlier. The final payment is made once required reporting has been completed.
- Scholarships may be tax exempt but this can depend on your circumstances, including whether you study full-time. Check the ATO guidance.
Read the full terms and conditions, including student responsibilities
Government scholarships and grants (Regional and Nursing Placement)
Regional Australian Scholarships
The Australian Government also funds a range of scholarship programs to support regional and remote students, including those who wish to relocate for their study. Read the Higher Education Support for Regional Australians brochure for more information on how to apply.
Commonwealth Prac Placement
The Commonwealth Prac Placement (VET) provides financial support to eligible students undertaking mandatory prac placements as part of a Diploma of Nursing. Eligible students will be able to access over $300 a week to help with cost of living pressures while on prac. Find out more, including eligibility and how to apply.
External scholarships and grants
Global Footprints Scholarship
Global Footprints Scholarships support young VET‑trained Australians to travel overseas and gain industry experience focused on sustainability. Scholarships provide a $9,000 travel grant, plus coaching and professional development, for students and apprentices in agriculture, horticulture and trades.
Applications open in May and close on June 1. Find out more and apply
Community Enterprise: up to $5000
The Community Enterprise Scholarships program offers a range of options to assist students studying with Secondary or Tertiary studies.
Benefit Geelong and Bendigo Bank are both offering Community Enterprise Scholarships of up to $5,000 for TAFE students within the Geelong region. For detailed information on the scholarship programs go to Bendigo Bank - Scholarships
For help with an application or to ask questions please contact Bendigo Bank’s Community Enterprise Foundation by phone 1300 304 541, email foundation.mailbox@bendigoadelaide.com.au or visit a local branch.
Real Future Grants
The Real Insurance’s Real Futures Grant is an Australian program that awards one $5000 grant per year to a student studying for a certificate, diploma, degree or traineeship in either Healthcare, Medicine, Business or Finance. Find out more including eligibility criteria and how to apply at Real Futures Grant.
Youi Student Grant
Youi offers an annual grant of $5000 to support a full-time student in a Business or IT related course as they near the completion of their studies. Open to Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia aged 18 years or older. Find out more and apply at Youi Student Grant.
MDT Design Apprentice Tool Grant
Apprentices in any recognised trade, anywhere in Australia are eligible to apply for MDT Design's grant of up to $3,000 towards tools and equipment for your trade. The first round closes in November 2027. To apply, simply submit your best apprenticeship story in 100 words or less. Find out more and apply at MDT Design.
Help with money and living costs
If money is making it harder to study or manage everyday costs, support is available. The information below includes services and tools that may help with food, course fees, government payments, budgeting, debt and other living expenses.
Free and low-cost food
Student Community Pantry
Free groceries and everyday food items are available to all Gordon students. No questions asked. You can find the pantry at:
- Geelong City: Building H, between Customer Service and the Computer Labs
- East Geelong: Room A1.17, at the Sensory Space next to the Cafeteria
- Watton Street: Level 2
- Princes Highway: near the photocopier
Other food support
| Service | How they can help |
|---|---|
| Where You Can Eat - Geelong | Find free meals, food pantries and emergency food relief across Geelong. |
| Geelong Foodshare | Access low-cost groceries, food parcels and other community food support. |
| The Nest Youth Hub | Free meals are available during some youth drop-in sessions at 17 Gheringhap Street, Geelong. Check Geelong Youth for current details. |
| Ask Izzy - Food in Werribee | Find free meals, food parcels, pantries and vouchers around Werribee. |
Government payments and support
| Support | How it can help | Find out more |
|---|---|---|
| Services Australia (Centrelink) | Payments and support for eligible students and trainees may include:
| Eligibility depends on your circumstances, so it’s important to check what support is available to you. Check payments and support for students and trainees through Services Australia |
| Support for Apprentices | If you’re an apprentice, financial support may be available to help with the costs of your apprenticeship. Support may include:
| Eligibility and the support available will depend on your apprenticeship and circumstances. Find out more about Apprenticeship Support or contact your Apprenticeship Support Officer. |
Need help understanding your options?
The Gordon’s Skills and Jobs Centre can provide general information.
Loans, payment plans and savings support
| Support | How it can help | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| No Interest Loans (Good Shepherd) | Borrow up to $1,500 with no interest for essential goods and services, such as household items, medical or dental costs, education essentials, and car repairs or registration. Repayments are made over 12–18 months. | People on a low income who meet the eligibility requirements.
Find out more about No Interest Loans |
| Saver Plus | Build your savings and money skills. The program can match your savings dollar for dollar, up to $500, to use for education costs. You’ll also get MoneyMinded financial education and support from a Saver Plus Coach. | You must be 18 or older, be studying (including TAFE) or have a child at school, have regular income from paid work, hold a Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card, and receive an eligible Centrelink payment.
Check your eligibility and find out more |
| VET Student Loans and Payment Plans | If you’re having trouble paying your course fees, you may have options depending on your course level. | Gordon students who meet the requirements for a VET Student Loan or payment plan.
Find out about VET Student Loans and payment plans |
Ask Izzy: Help with food, housing, money and more
Ask Izzy is a free and anonymous online service that can help you find support near you. You can search for help with:
- food
- housing
- money
- counselling
- family violence support
- health and other essential services.
Find support with Ask Izzy
Budgeting, tax and debt help
Get free tools and support to help you manage your money, create a budget, deal with debt or get help with your tax.
| Service | How it can help |
|---|---|
MoneyMinded |
Build your money skills with free online activities covering budgeting, saving, debt, banking, credit cards and super. |
| Moneysmart | Get practical information and tools to help manage your money. You can learn about managing money while studying, use the budget planner, or explore Moneysmart for help with budgeting, debt, loans, super, insurance and scams. |
| Tax Help program | Free help for eligible people earning $60,000 or less to lodge their tax return online from July to October. You’ll need a myGov account linked to the ATO and an appointment. Check your eligibility for Tax Help. |
| National Debt Helpline | Free help if you’re having trouble with debt or managing your money.
Call a financial counsellor on 1800 007 007 or visit the National Debt Helpline. |
| Mob Strong Debt Help | Free legal advice about money matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia. Call 1800 808 488 or visit Mob Strong Debt Help. |