Scholarships
The Foundation was established in the spirit of Caroline Chisholm. In the allocating of funds the Executive Office and Trustees are conscious of Caroline Chisholm’s statement “I promise to know neither country nor creed but to serve all justly and impartially”.
The Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation (the Foundation) is an independent charitable trust. The Foundation supports current and potential future students of Chisholm TAFE who due to financial hardship, might otherwise not have access to vocational education and training.
Scholarships are granted to support students studying a course at Chisholm Institute.
The following scholarships are available:
Scholarship for Engineering and Manufacturing
General Scholarships – VET programs at all levels
Indigenous Student Scholarships – VET programs at all levels
You may be eligible for a scholarship if you meet the following:
- Your course of study will be at Chisholm Institute
- You are in possession of a current Centrelink Health Care Card
- You are an Australian citizen, or
- hold permanent residency status
And be eligible for one of the following:
- Victorian and Commonwealth government-subsidised training (if applying for a Certificate IV and below)
- VET Student Loan (if applying for Diploma level or above)
2026 Scholarship Changes
Following a record-breaking year in 2025, where we awarded our highest number of scholarships to date, we're proud to continue expanding access to education.
To ensure we can support as many students as possible in 2026, we are introducing maximum scholarship limits.
- For eligible students enrolling into a Free TAFE course, the limit will be $1000 (covering Materials and student amenities costs)
- For eligible students enrolling into a non-Free TAFE course, the limit will be $800
- For eligible students enrolling into a
- Foundation course – (English Language EAL, Certificates in General Education and Work Education)
- VCE or VCEVM
CCEF will continue to fully fund the tuition and associated fees for these courses
- For eligible First Nations students, tuition is covered and CCEF will continue to fully fund associated fees
This change allows us to continue to provide access to education to a broader group of students.
Payment plans are available for students who are unable to provide the additional funds up front.
Please be aware during peak times (December – February) and (June – August) applications can take up to 2 weeks to process.
Refunds for course fees paid in full prior to applying for a scholarship are only available if your application is successful for funding and is within 21 days of the course start date.
Applications where fees have been paid in full and are post the 21 day cut off from course start date will be ineligible for scholarship funding.
Scholarship funds for students undertaking diploma, degree and post-graduate courses can assist with materials and student services fees for these courses. You can apply for a VET Student Loan for tuition fees which are noted on your Statement of Fees.
Scholarship applications are open throughout the year and can be lodged with Chisholm Campus Student Services via email to ccefscholarships@chisholm.edu.au .
The Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation does not cover the cost of apprenticeships, traineeships or short courses. Awarded scholarship funds can only be used for course costs.
If you require assistance to complete this form, please contact the Wellbeing Team in Student Services via email studentservices@chisholm.edu.au or phone 1300 244 746 (option 4)
For any queries please contact the Foundation by email to scholarships@chisholm.edu.au or by phone on (03) 9238 8114.