The Education Support Awards
These provide financial support to students in our District to help overcome the financial challenges of accessing tertiary education. The Education Support awards can be used for relocation costs, bonds, rent, course materials etc. These awards are distributed each year in February to the successful recipients.
The Community Bank Mirboo North & District has long been a supporter of the Education Support awards, through donations and the creation of the Community Bank and Co-operative Fund.
More recently the Community Bank Mirboo North & District has agreed to sponsor a two-year Education Support Award for two students leaving Secondary College and heading to University. These students will receive a $3,000 Education Support Award in their first and second year of University.
To date
We have given $170,000 in Education Support Awards to young people and mature aged students beginning tertiary education for the first time.
Another example of the resilience of our district and its community, and demonstrates that when we work together, we thrive together.
Mentoring and Rural Youth Leadership
The costs associated with studying at University or TAFE is only one of the challenges facing our students. Research indicates that a lack of support in settling into a new environment is equally challenging, as students have moved away from their various support networks.
In collaboration with YouThrive Victoria, students can access a Mentoring Program and apply to develop their network and personal skills through a Rural Youth Leadership Program.
What is the purpose of the Mentoring Program?
The Youthrive Victoria Mentoring Program provides a peer to peer support network for students transitioning to university. They will be assigned a mentor (who is a second or third year student in the same university or doing the same course) to act as a source of information and guidance both about their course and their University. Previous students report how important this informal peer support has been to them.
What is the purpose of the Rural Youth Leadership Program?
The Rural Youth Leadership Program is aimed at developing personal and leadership skills for rural students to enhance their studies and to reach their full potential as future leaders in their rural communities.
Who can apply?
- People enrolled in or intending to enrol in their first year of a recognised course of study in the following year. [A recognised course is a course approved by Australian registration authority].
- Residents of or people with a strong demonstrable connection to the Mirboo North District (including Allambee, Berry's Creek, Boolarra, Budgeree, Childers, Darlimurla, Delburn, Dumbalk, Hallston, Mardan, Mirboo North, Mirboo, Narracan, Thorpdale and Yinnar and the many rural communities in between).
- Australian citizens, permanent residents and applicable visa holders.
What can the Education Support award be used for?
- Course fees
- Expenses related to living away from home (including rent / board)
- Expenses directly related to the course being undertaken (e.g. books, laptop, materials)
When do I apply?
Applications open on 31st July 2023 and will close on 19th November 2023.
How do I apply?
Please read the guidelines document and FAQs below before completing your application.
Each applicant must submit a Student Application Form and ensure that their Referee submits the Reference Form, for their application to be considered.
Education Support Program Guidelines
ES Awards FAQs
Online Student Application Form
Online Reference Form
If you have any questions please contact info@mirboodistrictfoundation.org.au or call 0418 301 092.
Assessment Criteria
The assessment focuses on the challenges facing applicants in accessing tertiary education: distance to access tertiary courses, moving away from support networks, personal challenges, financial challenges or health issues. The application form includes various types of challenges and the applicant should tick all that apply to their circumstances and then explain those in a bit more detail further down the form. Please refer to the FAQs for more information.
The application does also ask for detail on how the Education Support award will assist the applicant in their educational journey.
The information contained in all Applications will be kept confidential.
Successful applicants?
Applicants will be notified in the second week of December whether they have been successful. The awards evening will take place in early February (attendance is required).
Key Dates
Applications Open: 31st July 2023
Applications Close: 19th November 2023
Awards Notified: December 2023
Awards Evening: February 2024