Bendigo Bank empowers hundreds of keen students with scholarship support

Helping students across Australia make the transition from high school to further education, Bendigo Bank in partnership with its Community Bank network has today announced more than 320 students will benefit from scholarships awarded in FY25.

One of the largest private scholarship programs in Australia, the 2025 program attracted a strong number of applications, Bendigo Bank Chair Vicki Carter said.

“This year we received 1083 applications, including 528 applications for our Community Bank scholarship programs,” Ms Carter said.

The scholarship program aims to ease the financial burden associated with further education by helping students finance accomodation, travel, tutoring and course materials.

“Bendigo Bank is proud to support an initiative that removes barriers to education particularly for regional, rural, Indigenous, and agricultural students,” Ms Carter said.

“We are seeing demand continue to grow and are pleased that we are able to ease the financial burden of further studies for students who might otherwise miss out on the opportunity.”

This year’s scholarships are valued at $1.6 million, with just over $1 million for first year scholars, and the remainder funding student’s second, third and fourth year scholarship placements.

Tertiary study opportunities in the health industry as well as agriculture, environmental and related studies proved particularly popular this year.

The program is overseen by the Bank’s charitable arm, the Community Enterprise Foundation, and has been financially supported by Bendigo Bank’s Directors since inception. The program has supported 2,304 students with scholarships valued at more than $15 million since 2017.

Sixty three Community Banks participated in the 2025 scholarship program, with Community Bank Huon Valley providing $68,000 to 16 successful applicants to put towards their bachelor degrees, TAFE courses and apprenticeships.

The 2025 scholarships include:

• Robert Johanson Bendigo Bank Board Scholarship: $8,000 per year for two years.
• Bendigo Bank Scholarship for regional and rural students: 12 university scholarships of $6,500 per student, per year, for two years. Up to five TAFE scholarships of $5000 per student, per year for up to two years.
• Bendigo Bank Indigenous Scholarship: Four scholarships of $6500 per student, per year, for two years for those studying at either university or TAFE.
• Bendigo Bank Agribusiness Scholarship: Eight university scholarships, $6,000 per student, per year, for two years, and two TAFE scholarships, $3,000 per year for one year.
• Community Bank Scholarships: 63 Community Banks participated in Bendigo Bank’s scholarship program offering scholarships for university, TAFE, and secondary school study.

Mia Braun (pictured below), from Pyramid Hill in regional Victoria, has received a Bendigo Bank University Scholarship for regional and rural students. She is excited to launch into her healthcare studies and intends to bring her newfound skills back to rural Victoria.

“Receiving this scholarship is a game changer for me. It allows me to fully focus on my studies and work towards becoming the best occupational therapist I can be,” Mia said. “After finishing university, I’m excited to return to rural Victoria. I want to play a part in bridging the gap between rural and metropolitan health services, ensuring that everyone in Victoria has equal access to great healthcare.”

For more information about the scholarship program, visit: https://www.bendigobank.com.au/community/foundation/scholarships/