TAFE Gippsland along with our community partners offer a range of scholarships for students who need financial and practical assistance.
You can apply for a scholarship if you're enrolled in VCE/VCE-VM, certificate I, II, III, IV, diploma or advanced diploma courses. Students enrolled in short courses and VDSS programs are not eligible.
Scholarships are now closed for 2024. The dates for 2025 are as follows:
Round One
- Applications open March 3rd 2025
- Applications close March 21st 2025
Round Two
- Applications open July 14th 2025
- Applications close August 1st 2025
Our Scholarships
Tim Weight Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship has been established in memory of Tim Weight, a much-loved member of the TAFE Gippsland community who sadly passed away in December 2021. Tim was a giant of the region who made a significant contribution over a 30-year period to Gippsland’s vocational education and training sector as both an Executive and Non-Executive Director with TAFE Gippsland.
Tim’s significant expertise in strategic and stakeholder engagement saw him become a driving force behind TAFE’s renewed links to local and regional business and industry partners in Gippsland.
Tim also held various roles in agribusiness, property development and feasibility assessment, regional economic development, corporate management, strategy, and governance and held various positions as both an Executive and Non-Executive Director on boards of public and private companies, private syndications, government, and not-for-profit organisations.
Tim’s passion for the provision of high-quality vocational education and training throughout Gippsland has left a legacy and will now live-on through these important annual scholarships.
Value: $2000.
Scholarships available: 5 per year (Round one only)
Placement Scholarship
This scholarship is to support the student’s participation and the costs associated with an industry or community placement that directly supports the student’s training outcomes.
Value: $500.
Scholarships available: 8 per year
Technology Scholarship
This scholarship is to support the student’s access to technology to ensure appropriate access to education. Funds may be used for laptops, hardware, software, or other technology or internet related costs.
Value: $500.
Scholarships available: 8 per year
Student Support Scholarship
This scholarship assists students experiencing financial disadvantage with the costs associated with education. This may include fees, tools or materials, uniform, or any other educational barrier not listed in another scholarship category.
Value: $500.
Scholarships available: 10 per year
Koorie Support Scholarship
This scholarship is to specifically support Koorie Students experiencing financial disadvantage with the costs associated with education.
Value: $500.
Scholarships available: 4 per year
BECON Construction Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to a student studying in the building or construction trade that has experienced disadvantage or financial hardship. This may include (but not limited to) students from low socioeconomic backgrounds, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Students, or students from a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Background.
Value:$1000.
Scholarships available: 1 per year (Round one only)
ESSO Wellington
This scholarship is awarded to students who either:
- Study at one of our three Sale based campuses.
- Live or work in Wellington Shire.
The scholarship is designed to support those experiencing financial hardship and may be used for travel, technology, cost of living, tools, or any other educational barrier.
Value:$1000.
Scholarships available: 10 per year
Travel Scholarship
This scholarship is designed to support travel expenses to lessen the burden of travel costs and increase access to a wider range of qualifications to those students in rural areas of our community.
Value: $500
Scholarships available: 8 per year
Koorie Academy of Excellence (KAE) Scholarship
This scholarship is awarded to two TAFE Gippsland students who have participated within the Koorie Academy of Excellence the year prior to their enrolment at TAFE Gippsland. The scholarship is designed to support the extra costs associated with study and can be used for travel, technology, placement, or any other educational barrier. Applicants need to provide a email confirming involvement in the KAE this is to be uploaded as supporting evidence with scholarship application.
Value: $500
Scholarships available: 2 per year (Round one only)
External Scholarships
For all queries regarding scholarships, or to submit an application form email scholarships@tafegippsland.edu.au
Read more about the scholarship applications and assessment process.
Financial budgeting and saving skills
MoneyMinded online
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
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
Budget planner
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.
Other financial assistance
Services Australia (Centrelink)
You may be eligible for Australian Government financial assistance while you are studying at TAFE Gippsland. 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.
For information about Government payments and services that may be available to students, a trainees or apprentices visit Education - Services Australia
No Interest Loans (Good Shepherd)
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:
- household items (e.g. fridges, washing machines and furniture)
- medical procedures and dental services
- education essentials (e.g. computers and text books)
- car repairs or registration
- some other items as requested.
Saver Plus program
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.
Support for Apprentices
The Australian Government Australian Apprenticeships website provides information about financial support and incentives for apprentices. This includes the Australian Apprentices Trade Support Loans (TSL) Program.
TSL loans are paid in instalments totalling up to $24,492 over four years to help apprentices with everyday costs while they complete their apprenticeship. To find out more about a TSL, talk to your Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider. Your provider will take you (and your parent or guardian, if you’re under 18) through the loan program in detail.
Ask Izzy
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.
VET Student Loans and Payment Plans
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.
Utility relief grant scheme
The Utility Relief Grant Scheme helps low-income households in Victoria facing financial hardship with overdue utility bills for electricity, gas, or water. Eligible applicants can receive assistance to prevent disconnection or manage arrears. Visit the Utility Relief Grant Scheme page for details on eligibility and how to apply.
Tax and Debt help
Tax Help Program
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.
Debt Helplines
National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007
Mob Strong Debt Helpline 1800 808 488
A free legal advice service about money matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from anywhere in Australia.