Bendigo Bank's 2025 Scholarship Program, one of Australia's largest and longest-running private scholarship schemes, is set to open for applications on Monday, 2 December. The program, which has been in operation for nearly two decades, provides financial support, mentorship, and educational opportunities to students across the nation.

Since its inception in 2006, the program has awarded millions of dollars in scholarships, supporting the academic, professional, and personal growth of students. The program has provided more than $13.3 million in funding to over 1900 students since 2006, addressing employment and skills challenges faced by young people, particularly in regional and remote areas.

The 2025 scholarships on offer include the Bendigo Bank Uni Scholarship, Bendigo Bank TAFE Scholarship, Robert Johanson Bendigo Bank Board Scholarship, Bendigo Bank Indigenous Scholarship Program, and Bendigo Bank Agribusiness Scholarship. Applications for the 2025 program close on Friday, 31 January.

Vicki Carter, Chair of Bendigo Bank, expressed her pride in the program's impact, stating, "We are incredibly proud to support the program and continue this tradition. Since 2006, this program has provided more than $13.3 million in funding to more than 1900 students from across Australia, helping to address the employment and skills challenges faced by young people, particularly in regional and remote areas. The range of scholarships on offer through the program will help students realise their full potential while supporting the next generation of leaders for our community."

One of the recipients of the bank’s scholarships, Ailish Clements, a Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung woman currently studying at La Trobe University in Bendigo, shared her journey. "I had to move out and get my own place. That was a really big challenge for me to overcome and go through. I also fell pregnant in 2023 and had to complete my exams and VCE and graduate eight months pregnant. It was hard, but it was really worth it. I look back and I'm so glad that I completed everything. It's made me grow so much as an individual and this scholarship has even helped me to be able to continue my studies. Without this scholarship, I may not have been able to do that. To the local indigenous youth, I would tell them despite all the challenges, the achievements, and the end goal and what you get out of it, what you learn out of it, overpowers all the struggle you went through."