If you’re looking to enrol in a Chisholm course but worried about the costs involved, you may be able to get financial help through a scholarship. Here’s how.
With cost of living on the rise, it may be hard to make ends meet at the moment – but if you’re keen to go back to study, finances don’t have to be a barrier.
The Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation (CCEF) offers financial support to people who are experiencing financial hardship and want to enrol in a course at Chisholm.
Formed in 2007, the foundation has offered 2600 scholarships to students of all ages and across all different study areas.
Farrah Buckland, Executive Officer of the Foundation, says scholarships vary in amount based on what’s required for each course.
“It might be $3000 for hairdressing or beauty course fees or a much smaller amount like $100 or $300 for different course – the average is about $900,” she says.
Even if you only need a small amount, Farrah says it’s worth applying so you can begin your studies stress-free.
“Recently, one of our students did a speech to say thank you for the support she received, which was about $300,” says Farrah.
The student, who is 59 years old, was living in a shelter when she got a scholarship that allowed her to begin a cyber security course.
“It's absolutely changed her life,” says Farrah. “It's improved her confidence and she’s made friends and now she’s working and has continued her studies.”
Farrah says the Foundation is delighted to be able to provide support to those who might not otherwise be able to study – and to continue the important work of the institute’s namesake, Caroline Chisholm.
“Caroline Chisholm was a humanitarian in the 1800s who assisted women in education and did amazing things,” says Farrah.
“She was all about education and homing people – so by assisting people now, the Foundation carries on her name and her legacy.”
Farrah encourages anyone who is thinking about studying to go for it.
“We know that studying has a domino effect,” she says.
“It's not just the education, it can improve everything – your mental health, how you feel about yourself, your confidence; it can get you out there meeting people – it's a whole range of positive things.”
What kind of scholarships are available?
Scholarships at Chisholm are specifically for people who are experiencing financial hardship – they don’t have anything to do with academic scores or performance.
They cover various costs such as course, material and amenities fees. The amount you will receive in the scholarship is based on what the course requires.
Who can access scholarships at Chisholm?
If you have a current Health Care Card and need some financial support to begin your studies, you are eligible to apply for scholarship at Chisholm.
You also need to be an Australian citizen or hold permanent residency status.
What courses do scholarships cover?
Scholarships are available for VET programs at all levels at Chisholm. Even if you’re interested in a course that is part of the Free TAFE program and doesn’t have any tuition fees, it still may involve material or amenity fees, which the scholarship can pay for.
A Chisholm scholarship covers the cost of your material and amenities fees for Diploma and above courses however the tuition must be put on a VET Student Loan*.
*Only Australian citizens are eligible for a VET Student Loan.
How can you access a scholarship?
Once you’ve applied for your course at Chisholm and received your statement of fees, you can apply for a scholarship. Make sure you don’t pay any fees or costs first – apply for the scholarship beforehand as CCEF is unable to provide refunds if you’ve already paid fees.
If your scholarship application is successful, you’ll have a payment form emailed to you. Once complete the form will go to an Enrolment Officer to process and finalise enrolment. Keep in mind that you won’t be guaranteed to secure a place in your chosen course until payment is made.
To apply, visit the Caroline Chisholm Education Foundation (CCEF) webpage and fill out the online form. You will need:
- a copy of your Medicare Card
- a Centrelink Concession Card
- a statement of fees ( this can be obtained from your enrolment officer by contacting 1300 244 746) and
- a short, written description of why you need the support and why you would like to do the course.
Farrah says this explanation can be kept fairly simple and to the point.
“We don’t need it to be very detailed. It could say something like, ‘I'm a single mum’ or ‘My expenses are outweighing the income I'm bringing in’ – it doesn't have to be a lot,” she says.
Chisholm scholarship applications are open all year round. Apply here.
For more information, you can contact the Foundation by email via scholarships@chisholm.edu.au or phone on (03) 9238 8114.
