The Public Education Foundation’s Acacia Program Scholarship provides financial assistance and mentoring/career advice to high potential students, in need, attending schools in the Ballarat region of Victoria (See basic eligibility section for complete list of eligible schools).
The Acacia Program Scholarship was designed to assist students in need who may otherwise not have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The scholarships are available to eligible students currently (2025) enrolled in Year 10 in the listed schools.
The scholarship has been established to enable alumni of Australian public schools to give back to their school region, and to public education more broadly, through scholarships, mentoring and advocacy. The scholarships aim to highlight to students the diversity of careers and possibilities available to them through the Australians who sponsor the award and have access to this network.
We hope to show students:
- Examples of people who have succeeded who come from where they come from, who they can relate to and see themselves in
- Examples of people who are involved in a wide variety of careers and who are doing what they are interested in doing, to show them a path into the career they want
The scholarship consists of a bursary of $1,000 per year for two years (total $2,000) to support the students’ studies whilst enrolled in high school, plus mentoring/career information opportunities.
The scholarship is to cover educational expenses such as:
- Laptop, iPad or similar device
- Subject or study related software, printer, stationery and textbooks
- Uniforms and equipment
- Excursions and camps
- Curricular and extra-curricular learning opportunities
- Furniture for study such as desk, chair, lamp etc.
- Home Wi-Fi for study
- Face-to-face or online tutoring
If a student leaves public school before the end of Year 12, the scholarship will lapse. Please note - if a student’s attendance rate falls below an acceptable level at any time during the duration of the scholarship, the scholarship may be withdrawn. Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation scholarship fund.
Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure that you read the scholarship terms and conditions available on our website.
BASIC ELIGIBILITY
- High-potential student
- Attends a public high school in the Ballarat region:
- Ballarat High School, Mount Clear College, Mount Rowan Secondary College, Phoenix P-12 Community School, Woodmans Hill Secondary College
- Currently in Year 10 (in 2025)
- Australian citizen or permanent resident
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Experiencing equity, social or physical hardship(s) that may prevent them from otherwise successfully completing school study or training
- Displays potential to do well at school
- Has a positive attitude to school and a high attendance rate
- Intention to complete their VCE or equivalent and continue to University or TAFE education
- Demonstrate they participate in school life
- Demonstrate they contribute to the community and/or in extracurricular activities
Acacia Program Scholarship - Ballarat (VIC)
The Public Education Foundation’s Acacia Program Scholarship provides financial assistance and mentoring/career advice to high potential students, in need, attending schools in the Ballarat region of Victoria (See basic eligibility section for complete list of eligible schools).
The Acacia Program Scholarship was designed to assist students in need who may otherwise not have the opportunity to reach their full potential. The scholarships are available to eligible students currently (2025) enrolled in Year 10 in the listed schools.
The scholarship has been established to enable alumni of Australian public schools to give back to their school region, and to public education more broadly, through scholarships, mentoring and advocacy. The scholarships aim to highlight to students the diversity of careers and possibilities available to them through the Australians who sponsor the award and have access to this network.
We hope to show students:
- Examples of people who have succeeded who come from where they come from, who they can relate to and see themselves in
- Examples of people who are involved in a wide variety of careers and who are doing what they are interested in doing, to show them a path into the career they want
The scholarship consists of a bursary of $1,000 per year for two years (total $2,000) to support the students’ studies whilst enrolled in high school, plus mentoring/career information opportunities.
The scholarship is to cover educational expenses such as:
- Laptop, iPad or similar device
- Subject or study related software, printer, stationery and textbooks
- Uniforms and equipment
- Excursions and camps
- Curricular and extra-curricular learning opportunities
- Furniture for study such as desk, chair, lamp etc.
- Home Wi-Fi for study
- Face-to-face or online tutoring
If a student leaves public school before the end of Year 12, the scholarship will lapse. Please note - if a student’s attendance rate falls below an acceptable level at any time during the duration of the scholarship, the scholarship may be withdrawn. Any unspent monies at the end of the scholarship period must be refunded to the Public Education Foundation scholarship fund.
Before applying for this scholarship, please ensure that you read the scholarship terms and conditions available on our website.
BASIC ELIGIBILITY
- High-potential student
- Attends a public high school in the Ballarat region:
- Ballarat High School, Mount Clear College, Mount Rowan Secondary College, Phoenix P-12 Community School, Woodmans Hill Secondary College
- Currently in Year 10 (in 2025)
- Australian citizen or permanent resident
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Experiencing equity, social or physical hardship(s) that may prevent them from otherwise successfully completing school study or training
- Displays potential to do well at school
- Has a positive attitude to school and a high attendance rate
- Intention to complete their VCE or equivalent and continue to University or TAFE education
- Demonstrate they participate in school life
- Demonstrate they contribute to the community and/or in extracurricular activities