Scholarships and financial assistance

Scholarships

The Gordon's Scholarships ranging in value from $500 to $5000 can empower you to reach your educational goals, whilst also showcasing your passion, commitment, skills, leadership and innovation. Explore the different scholarships to see if you are eligible.

Unless otherwise specified, scholarships can help pay for study-related expenses, including course fees, books, study materials, travel costs and basic living expenses. Scholarships are tax deductable and are not redeemable for cash.

The Gordon Scholarship Program is made possible thanks to the valued partnership, support and generosity of over 20 benefactors. Meet our benefactors.

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These scholarships support students applying for early offer rounds that need financial assistance to start their studies.

Round open

1 September  - 1 November 

Round awarded

January 

Note: 80% of the funds will be awarded at the start of the scholarship, with the remaining 20% paid at the end of the year (or at course completion if this is earlier), once the required reporting has been completed.

Eligibility requirements

For Jump Start scholarships, students must

• apply, accept and be currently enrolled in their chosen course before November 24.
• be an Australian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, or hold a Bridging / Temporary / Permanent Humanitarian Visa
• be enrolled in a course at the Gordon that runs for 6 months or more.
• be experiencing financial hardship
• obtain parental / guardian’s consent if under 18 before submitting an application

Read the full terms and conditions, including student responsibilities

These scholarships are for students who have already begun studying at The Gordon and are designed to empowering you to achieve your goals and dreams through financial support. This round includes several teacher-nominated scholarships which recognise student accomplishments and demonstrated initiative and leadership skills shown so far.

Round open

1 December  - 10 March

Apply now

Round awarded

April 

Note: 80% of the funds will be awarded at the start of the scholarship, with the remaining 20% paid at the end of the year (or at course completion if this is earlier), once the required reporting has been completed.

Eligibility requirements

For Empowerment scholarships, students must

• enrol and start their course prior to March 10.
• be an Australian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, or hold a Bridging / Temporary / Permanent Humanitarian Visa
• be enrolled in a course at the Gordon that runs for 6 months or more.
• be experiencing financial hardship
• obtain parental / guardian’s consent if under 18 before submitting an application

Read the full terms and conditions, including student responsibilities

These scholarships are designed to provide financial assistance, encouragement and opportunity for students beginning their education journey in Semester 2. Some scholarships awarded in this round are for specific skills and initiatives demonstrated throughout the year/s of study and is a celebration of reward for success and future endeavours.

Round open

1 April  - 1 July 

Round awarded

August 

Note: 80% of the funds will be awarded at the start of the scholarship, with the remaining 20% paid at the end of the year (or at course completion if this is earlier), once the required reporting has been completed.

Eligibility requirements

For Inspire your future scholarships, students must

• apply, accept and be enrolled in their course before July 12
• be an Australian citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, or hold a Bridging / Temporary / Permanent Humanitarian Visa
• be enrolled in a course at the Gordon that runs for 6 months or more.
• be experiencing financial hardship
• obtain parental / guardian’s consent if under 18 before submitting an application

Read the full terms and conditions, including student responsibilities

These scholarships are available throughout the year and are designed to provide financial assistance to students who experience unexpected adversity.  You are able to apply for these scholarships at any time.

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.

Community Enterprise

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 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.

For detailed information on the scholarship programs go to Bendigo Bank - Scholarships

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.

MoneyMinded can help create a budget, reduce your debt or save more regularly. MoneyMinded is made up of a series of interactive activities, designed to improve your money management skills. Topics covered include: 

• Know yourself
• Spend wisely
• Clarify your goal
• Create a budget
• Bank smart
• Avoid dangerous debt
• Watch out for credit cards
• Superannuation

Moneysmart offers tools, tips and calculators to help you to learn to manage your money and to be in control of your financial life.  There is even information about managing your money on a student budget

Other topics include:

• Banking and budgeting
• Loans, credit and debit
• Investment and planning
• Super and retirement
• Insurance
• Scams and online safety
• Community resources

Using a budget planner can help manage your money by breaking down your income and expenses to work out what you can afford to spend each month.  Moneysmart has a simple budget planner that you can use to get you started.

Budget planner

You may be eligible for Australian Government financial assistance while you are studying at The Gordon.  For example, if you are 25 years of age or over and undertaking full-time study you may be eligible for Austudy.

Eligibility rules are strict. When you enrol, you should check to see if you are eligible for Austudy, ABSTUDY, a youth allowance or a Low Income Health Care Card.

General information is available from the Skills and Jobs Centre, for more detailed information and applications visit Services Australia or phone 132 468.

Services Australia

For information about Government payments and services that may be available to students, a trainees or apprentices

Department of Human Services.

For information about other government payments and services that may be available.

Good Shepherd’s No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) offer loans of up to $1500 to people on low incomes. Repayments are made over 12–18 months.
The loans are available for essential goods and services, such as:

1. household items (e.g. fridges, washing machines and furniture)
2. medical procedures and dental services
3. education essentials (e.g. computers and text books)
4. car repairs or registration
5. some other items as requested.

The Saver Plus program is a financial education and matched savings program helping people to build financial skills, reach savings goals and develop life-long savings habits.

The program offers:

• Matched dollar for dollar savings up to $500 to be used for educational resources
• Money Minded online workshops about financial capabilities and building health financial habits
• Consultation with a Saver Plus Coach, who supports you to budget and achieve your finance goals

 To be eligible for the program you must:

• be 18 years or over
• be in school (including TAFE) or have a have a child at school  
• have regular income from paid employment
• have a current Health Care of Pensioner Concession Card
• be in receipt of an eligible Commonwealth security benefit, allowance or payment

 The Saver Plus program was established by the Brotherhood of St. Laurence in partnership with the ANZ bank.

A range of financial supports and incentives are available to eligible apprentices. These may include:

• Australian Apprenticeship Loans of up to $25,374
• Living away from home allowance
• Car registration discounts
• Financial incentives for those training towards a qualification on the Australian Apprentices Priority

Find out more at Apprenticeship Support or contact your Apprenticeship Support Officer.

Ask Izzy is an online tool that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, family violence support, counselling and much more.

It is free and anonymous, with thousands of services listed across Australia.

If you are having trouble paying your fees, there are options available to you, depending on your course level. Find out about VET Student Loans and fee payment plans.  

The Tax Help program is free and helps eligible people earning $60,000 or less lodge their tax return online from July to October each year. You will need to create a myGov account and link it to the ATO and make an appointment.

National Debt Helpline  1800 007 007