Educational scholarships
Mentor Support Network
The Mentor Support Network educational scholarships program has been in operation since the first awards for studies in 2008.
Since then, students in the Hunter and surrounding regions including Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens, Upper Hunter, Cessnock, Dungog, and Muswellbrook have been supported.
Educational scholarships are designed to assist eligible students aged 15 years and over to reach their full potential in terms of their individual educational and career goals. They are granted to students who demonstrate the drive and determination to achieve educational goals, despite experiencing financial need. Educational scholarships are not necessarily awarded because of academic achievement to date, but rather because of a student’s demonstrated desire to achieve educational goals.
All payments to the student are made on submission of receipts or invoices.
Educational scholarships are offered for one year and valued at up to $3,000.
Applicants are selected for interviews in October/November each year with all candidates notified of the outcome before the end of the month.
Each February/March students officially receive their awards at our scholarship presentation ceremony. The event is attended by the students’ family, friends, and supporters as well as Mentor Support Network partners and members.
During the period of the award, we maintain regular contact with all scholarship recipients, monitoring their progress to ensure all is going well with their studies and providing encouragement. This involves visiting students at their place of learning, regularly assessing their progress and, where necessary and appropriate, consulting with their teachers.
The educational scholarship program is made possible thanks to the generosity of our members and partners.
All I can think of is: I’ve made it. And it was all because of the support I had from my school, teachers, my family and friends and, of course, the Mentor Support Network. Sometimes all we need is that extra bit of help to keep us going.
Applications for Mentor Support Network educational scholarships
2022 Educational Scholarship Timeline:
- 12 July 2021 – Applications open.
- 17 September 2021 – Applications close (applications must contain reference letter from nominating/support person).
- 12 October 2021 – Applications reviewed and short-listed for interviews.
- 25-27 October 2021 – Interviews with applicants.
- 30 November 2021 – Presentation and information session for new recipients.
Application forms are available to download here:
Important things to note
Students who apply for a scholarship must be nominated by their school or a member of Mentor Support Network.
Due to the increasing numbers of applications, preference will be given to students entering Year 11. We believe this maximises the benefit of the scholarship.
Detailed information is available in the Scholarship Guidelines. Please download and read carefully.
If you are awarded a scholarship, you and a parent or guardian must complete the Agreement and Consent Form.
Making a scholarship claim
The Scholarship Claim Form will assist all recipients in making claims for the payment of their award.
Centrelink information regarding scholarship exemptions: Centrelink doesn’t count up to $8,355 per year from an equity or merit-based scholarship in your income test. Any amount over $8,355 per year counts as income and may affect your payment rate. If you get more than one scholarship, the $8,355 applies to the total amount you get, not to each one. The exempt amount is indexed each year.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact us.