Greater Shepparton Foundation awarded $84,000 in its 2026 Lift Off Education Scholarships at Shepparton’s La Trobe University on Thursday, February 5.
The recipients — Aaron Shuren, Princess Arielle Santos, Chloe Hogg, Hunnardeep Kaur Sandhu, Jade Klein, Katya Eddy, Kiara Stephens, Masooma Shah, Matilda Altoft, Michael Wagner, Pip Turton, Ruby Sprunt, Sophie Kennedy and Tariro Kakona —all completed their secondary education at Goulburn Valley schools.
Greater Shepparton Foundation executive officer Amanda McCulloch said this year had seen the most applications in the scholarship’s 11-year history.
“It reflects both the growing need and aspirations of local students,” Ms McCulloch said.
“The independent scholarship selection panel had a mammoth task, and we sincerely thank them for their expertise and time.”
She said the annual announcement ceremony was a “wonderful” event.
“It is not only a formal presentation to scholarship recipients, but the event also provides an opportunity for recipients to personally meet their scholarship sponsors and connect with fellow recipients,” Ms McCulloch said.
The Greater Shepparton Foundation and the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project joined forces to address barriers to further education.
The program has collaborated with more than 40 businesses and philanthropic partners to support local students via sponsorship of the scholarship program throughout the years.
This year’s scholarship sponsors include the Bella Ainsworth Perpetual Scholarship, Greater Shepparton Connected Community, Greater Shepparton Women's Charter Alliance, La Trobe University, Lions Club, Margaret Attwood Trust, NWR Communications, Shepparton District Careers Association, Shepparton Rotary Lance Woodhouse OAM Scholarship and Shepparton Rotary Kepple Turnour OAM Scholarship and Sampson Leadership Scholarship.
“We are delighted that the work we do via these scholarships has now impacted 164 young people who have been supported to continue their studies, and we hope that many will return to the region as professionals across various industries,” Ms McCulloch said.
Research shows that youth living in rural and regional areas defer university studies at twice the rate of their metropolitan peers.
This program alleviates some of the financial barriers students face transitioning from secondary school to further education.
“Currently, only half of our young people complete secondary school, and just a quarter continue to tertiary education,” Ms McCulloch said.
Lift Off Education Scholarships range from $2000 for one year to up to $10,000 over three years.
They are available to people aged 16 and above, including mature-age students, for approved higher education courses such as diplomas and bachelor programs.
The Lift Off Scholarship program welcomes applications from students who have taken a gap year, Year 12 students wanting to continue to tertiary study, students looking to undertake a pathway course and locals returning to study.
For more information on Lift Off Education Scholarships, visit the Greater Shepparton Foundation website.
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