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Here’s How it Works
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Schools Nominate Students.
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Applications are assessed by the Program Manager and then by an Evaluation and Mediation Panel.
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Scholarships provide funds for Textbooks, MYKI Cards , Computers , excursions, uniforms, music, and art tuition, based on applicant’s personal requirements.
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To be eligible, applicants must be between 12 and 25 , must receive Centrelink support, be Health Care Card holders, and / or Youth Allowance recipients.
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Recipients must receive a pass mark in the majority of their subjects, attend school regularly, and be keen to learn and contribute to the school community
Scholarships are up to $1650 per annum for new students and $1100 for renewal students.
To find out more , please contact Helen Worladge at BCFCHANCES@gmail.com
The Need for Education CHANCES
In Boroondara approximately 5,500 young people live below the poverty line. It is essential that these young people be given every opportunity to maximise their potential, achieve their educational goals and fulfil their ambitions. Boroondara is one of the wealthiest municipalities in Victoria. However, it contains several neighbourhoods with pockets of poverty, in which a high proportion of young people aged 0-25 live in households whose income is below the poverty line.
The 2016 Census reported 3630 young people aged 12 to 25, who lived in households with an income of less than $93 a day (annual income $34,000 or less). Analysis of Census data by the Victorian Council for Social Services (VCOSS) shows that “more than 1 in 6 Victorian children live in poverty (18.7% or 198,600 children)”.
In Boroondara, the percentage of young people living in poverty is 31% (Burwood), 28% (Hawthorn) and 22% (East Hawthorn). In other Boroondara suburbs the percentage of young people in poverty ranges between 9% and 16%.
If you are a financially disadvantaged young person attending school in Boroondara, the social divide is clearly visible. It is harder for young people from financially disadvantaged homes to achieve educationally due to limited resources: inability to buy textbooks, computer supplies and meet the costs of camps and excursions. These situations can restrict the young person’s ability to participate in extra curricula and social or cultural activities, which may adversely affect their educational achievements.
Last year Education CHANCES awarded 106 scholarships but given the impact of COVID 19 on family finances and employment, we have already been advised by the principals of the State Secondary Schools in Boroondara that they will be nominating more students for financial support from Education CHANCES this year
Our Advocate – The Hon. Frank Vincent AO QC
We are grateful for the the long term support of our Advocate, Frank Vincent AO QC, for lending his reputation and profile to help people promote our work in supporting talented and motivated young people READ MORE
Education CHANCES Achievements in 2019-20
CHANCES aim is to retain students in school to year 12 and support them to successfully transition to tertiary education.
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All CHANCES VCE students successfully completed VCE with the lowest ATAR being 82.
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All our VCE students gained tertiary placements. Tertiary courses for our Education CHANCES tertiary students include Journalism, Arts, Commerce, Law, Media Studies, Nursing, Paramedic, Criminology, Music, Economics, Biochemistry, Maths, Screen Writing/Performing Arts, Health Sciences, Science, Media and Literature.
The Education CHANCES Program reached its 10th anniversary in 2017 and has an outstanding success record at keeping children in school through secondary and tertiary education. We have awarded over 1000 scholarships, and 99% of our recipients have completed a degree or vocational qualification.
Today we provide more than 100 scholarships each year to students. (we could assist many more if funds weren’t limited).
Education CHANCES Management
The Education CHANCES Program is managed by the Boroondara Cares Foundation, a volunteer organisation comprising the 7 Rotary Clubs of Boroondara. As a volunteer organisation, overheads are very low which assists the ongoing sustainability of the program.
The Financial reports in the following link confirm that we are viable, well managed and can assure our current students of our ongoing commitment to them. Financial Reports
It is our challenge to continue to raise funds to be able to support incoming students
The value of Education CHANCES
Our 2017 evaluation of Education CHANCES by independent consultants “Think Impact”, concluded that every $1 invested in Education CHANCES students generated between $12 and $17 of social and economic benefit. This benefit was delivered to the students, their family and the wider community. You can read more about the study using the following link Education Chances Study by Think Impact
It is hard to see a better social investment than Education CHANCES!
Applications
Applications are made via participating schools, who will register students via our online application process. For more information, students should approach their school counsellor.
