Lift Off Education Scholarship applications for study in 2025 are now open, offering opportunities for Goulburn Valley residents struggling to transition from secondary to post-secondary education due to financial constraints.
But that’s not all.
This year, the program has expanded to include not only young school-leavers.
“In 2025, Greater Shepparton Foundation is opening applications to local people planning to return to study,” GSF executive officer Amanda McCulloch said.
“This is a direct response to the financial challenges faced by those electing to take on study and the commitment required to invest in education.”
In 2014, a concerning trend revealed that in non-metropolitan Victoria, the rate of deferring university studies in areas such as Shepparton was double that of metropolitan regions.
GSF’s scholarships, in partnership with the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project, aim to address this issue.
Since its inception, they’ve awarded over 132 scholarships and partnered with more than 40 businesses and philanthropic entities.
One of whom was Shaban Sulejman.
Now, in the final year of his PhD studies at the University of Melbourne, his research focuses on groundbreaking nanotechnology filters for imaging cancer cells.
“I faced difficult circumstances due to caring for a sick parent, but the scholarship provided the financial resources for me to continue my studies while caring for my family,” Mr Sulejman said.
The scholarships of up to $10,000 support various post-secondary educational pursuits, including diplomas, pathway programs and bachelor’s degrees.
For aspiring journalists, a Regional Youth Journalism Fellowship is available in Shepparton, allowing rookie reporters to earn and learn on the job.
Lift Off Education Scholarship applications close on Monday, December 16.
For more information and to determine if you are eligible to apply, visit greatershepparton.foundation
To find out more about the Regional Youth Journalism Fellowship, email info@greatershepparton.foundation
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