Lift Off Education Scholarship Guidelines
PLEASE READ this document carefully before completing the on-line application form
Introduction:
Lift Off Education Scholarships are available for people, from the designated Goulburn Valley area, who are planning to undertake post-secondary education. Lift Off aims to help overcome financial and other barriers to higher education and increase the number of people achieving their potential.Lift Off is a program of Greater Shepparton Foundation in collaboration with the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project. Students and those returning to study who have attended secondary schooling in the following communities are eligible to apply: Cobram, Euroa, Kyabram, Mooroopna, Nathalia, Numurkah, and Rushworth and Shepparton.
Overview:
Lift Off Education Scholarships are open to Goulburn Valley students who attended schooling in the above-mentioned areas and who plan to attend university, TAFE (or in some cases an established Registered Training Organisation). A rigorous application and selection process will be conducted. You may apply for a Lift Off Education Scholarship as a
•School leaver completing secondary school in 2026
•Gap year applicant having deferred study in 2026 (*Note, you must upload proof below of course acceptance/deferral)
•Pathway applicant having completed a pathway certificate or pathway course in 2026 (*Note, you must upload proof below of certificate/course completed)
•Applicant applying to complete a pathway certificate or pathway course in 2027
•Post graduate applicant having completed graduate studies in 2026
•Returning to study in 2027
Terms and Conditions:
•Students who are offered a scholarship will be required to sign a Scholarship Agreement indicating their acceptance of the offer and the terms and conditions
•Awardees will NOT be able to defer commencement of their course (However, those that have deferred a course in 2026 may be eligible to apply)
•Awardees must demonstrate progressing satisfactorily through their chosen course
•Awardees must remain a full-time (or part-time if applicable) enrolled student at the University or TAFE (or in some cases an established Registered Training Organisation) at which the scholarship was granted
•The Scholarship funds are to be spent on fees, accommodation, books and/or equipment relevant to their studies
•You are required to declare if you have received a scholarship/s from another scholarship program, have applied for another scholarship/s or plan on applying to another scholarship program/s
•Payment of the scholarship funds may be made in a lump sum (for 1-year scholarships) or in annual instalments over the term of the scholarship - other options may be mutually agreed to
Scholarships Available for study in 2027:
A range of education scholarships for amounts of up to $10,000 are available. All applications will be considered for any scholarships for which the applicant meets the criteria.Eligibility Requirements
•Applicant is an Australian citizen, Permanent Australian resident or other may also be considered
.•Have submitted a scholarship application before the closing date
.•Have had their applications endorsed by uploading a letter of support from their responsible person with their application.(A responsible person for the letter of support could be more broadly defined as a school principal, year level coordinator, house leader, employer, community or faith leader, or person who knows your circumstances. The steering committee may contact the responsible person to discuss your application and details in the letter. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT THIS LETTER OF SUPPORT)NOTE FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS ONLY:You may use the letter submitted with your VTAC SEAS application
.•Are a resident of the defined Goulburn Valley communities as listed in the above introduction.
If successful, will accept a place to study a pathway course, a VET program, a Diploma, Degree, Post Graduate course or equivalent qualification.
Selection Criteria
:•Scholarship selection is based on equity issues such as :
*Financial hardship; Living with disability or medical condition; Difficult family and life circumstances(Examples: Excessive family responsibilities, moved schools multiple times, homelessness, domestic violence, formal out of home care, natural disaster, bullying, sexual assault, abusive living or work environment-discrimination, racism, death of an immediate family member, medical condition of self or family, family breakdown – divorce or separation)
*Evidence of disadvantage or hardship and other barriers to study
*Personal attributes and attitude of the applicant
*Capacity and willingness of the applicant to act as an ambassador for the scholarship program
*Evidence of prior community service
•Applications will be individually assessed and may be shortlisted for interview. Interviews form part of the application process. All applications and interviews will be treated confidentially with the understanding a Selection Panel and Interview Panel will read applications as part of the process
.•Selection of scholarship recipients will be managed by the Lift Off Scholarship Selection Panel and approved by Greater Shepparton Foundation Board
•The Scholarship Selection Panel will consider the following in selecting scholarship recipients:
*Demonstrated leadership in their local community, for example, participation in community organisations, events, sporting clubs etc., volunteering and/or mentoring experience, extra-curricular roles at school
*Managing and/or overcoming personal difficulties i.e. financial or personal hardship, cultural issues, non-English speaking background, remoteness, disability, loss of one or more parent/family member, etc.
*The level of likely impact on their life and rural/ regional Victoria if awarded a scholarship
Key Dates and Procedures:
•Applications open:9am, Monday, September 14, 2026
•Applications close:5pm, Monday, December 14, 2026
•All applicants will be notified via an automated email response that their application has been received
•Each application will be individually assessed and shortlisted applicants will be notified via the mobile number or email address they have provided – PLEASE ENSURE YOU COMPLETE THESE ACCURATELY IN YOUR APPLICATION SO YOU CAN BE CONTACTED IN LATE DECEMBER 2026
.•Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by a scholarship selection on either Tuesday, January 19 or Wednesday January 20, 2027
•All successful applicants are expected to attend the announcement event on Thursday 5th February 2027 and funds will be forwarded upon confirmation of enrolment
How to Apply:
1. Please carefully read the Terms and Conditions before submitting your application
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2 Ensure that a responsible person is willing to endorse your application by submitting a Letter of Support. This letter of endorsement MUST be uploaded with your application. The supporting documents used for your VTAC SEAS application may be used
*Category 1: Financial hardship
*Category 2: Living with a disability or medical condition
*Category 4: Difficult family or life circumstances
REMINDER: Applications will NOT be considered if a Letter of Support is not received.
3. Apply online from 9am, September 14, 2026 at www.greatershepparton.foundation
4.Closing date for applications is 5pm, Monday December 14, 2026.
5. It can be tempting to use AI to generate responses to the Lift Off Scholarship questions, but we ask that you DON’T. We are not looking for perfectly formulated responses, but your personal story, in your words. Lift Off Scholarships are awarded based on need and equity in access to further education.
If, after reading the information above, you have further queries, please email info@greatershepparton.foundation or phone 0447 400 443