YOUTHRIVE Victoria is again giving regional and rural students an opportunity to apply for a scholarship to assist them in undertaking further study in 2025.

Each year, Youthrive provides scholarships to Year 12 students planning on undertaking university studies or a degree, as well as anyone aged 16-24 looking to undertake, or currently undertaking a TAFE course or apprenticeship.

In 2023, 11 Youthrive Victoria Rural University scholarships and 21 Rural Chances scholarships were awarded to young rural and regional Victorians.

Hamilton student, Joey Lehmann was one of the local applicants last year who was successful in securing a university scholarship for 2024, rewarding his leadership and commitment to the community.

Youthrive chief executive, Andrew McGuckian said he hoped to see a large number of applicants for this round of the scholarships.

“We believe that our scholarships and programs are helping to create positive outcomes for students from rural and regional Victoria,” he said.

“The scholarships provide financial support to assist with living expenses and travel costs, specifically addressing the needs of students from regional areas.”

Up to 10 university scholarships ($10,000 per year for three years) and 20 vocational scholarships (up to $5000) are available to young Victorians.

Mr McGuckian said they also offer ‘Wrap Around Care’, which includes mentoring, capacity building and development opportunities.

“The impact and importance of scholarships is widely acknowledged and can often lead to very different outcomes for students who may not be able to consider further studies due to costs and/or regional distances,” he said.

Mr Lehmann was fortunate to receive one of the scholarships this year to help him smoothly transition into his studies and life in Melbourne.

He is currently studying a Bachelor of Education at La Trobe University and hopes to give back and contribute to regional Victoria as an educator in the future.

“Financially the scholarship has allowed me to go to uni and was definitely a major reason in starting right after year 12,” he told The Spectator.

“(It) allows me to work less and focus more on my studies and mental health via sport and seeing family and friends.

“Just having the backing that if anything was to happen I’ve still got financial support is massive.”

Mr Lehmann grew up in Hamilton and attended Baimbridge College where he took a keen interest into leadership and sport throughout his secondary years.

He has been recognised with various awards in the past including the Southern Grampians Youth Achievement award, Lions Club Citizenship and Service award, and the Australian Defence Force, Long Tan Youth Leadership and Teamwork award.

The 18-year-old said he found out about the scholarship from his Year 12 English teacher and felt the scholarship could benefit plenty of other locals like himself.

“I would 100 per cent recommend this scholarship to others as it isn’t just the financial support it gives, but also all of the other support from mentors working in your field,” he said.

“(It’s the) constant phone calls and emails from the Youthrive community to offer support, camps and other activities that you get invited to.”

University scholarship applications are now open and will close on August 25, while Rural Chances vocational scholarships will close on November 14.