APPLICATIONS are now open for Bendigo Bank’s scholarship program for students for the 2026 academic year.
The program consists of more than 70 Community Bank scholarships supporting local students, along with Bendigo Bank-funded scholarships aimed at supporting rural, regional, agricultural and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.
In 2025, $1.7 million was awarded to 348 first-year scholars and 141 continuing scholars.
Six students from the Mitchell Shire have won scholarships in recent years.
Since 2006, Bendigo Bank and its Community Bank partners have assisted more than 2300 students with scholarships valued at more than $15 million, supporting their academic, professional and personal growth. The program, celebrating 19 years of providing education opportunities for students, is overseen by the bank’s charitable arm, the Community Enterprise Foundation.
Bendigo Bank Chair Vicki Carter said the program was an important example of how the bank delivers on its purpose to feed into the prosperity of its customers and the community.
“Bendigo Bank’s scholarship program helps students overcome significant barriers to further education such as travel, accommodation costs and the rising cost of living, which are among several important considerations for students planning the next stage of their education journey.”
The 2026 scholarships include:
• Bendigo Bank Regional and Rural Scholarship: Fifteen university scholarships of $6500 per student, each year for two years. Up to six TAFE scholarships of $5000 per student per year for up to two years.
• Bendigo Bank – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship: Four scholarships of $6500 per student per year for two years for those studying at either university or TAFE.
• Bendigo Bank – Agribusiness Scholarship: Two university scholarships, $6000 per student, per year for two years, and one TAFE scholarship, $3000 per year for one year.
• Robert Johanson Bendigo Bank Board Scholarship: A total of $8000 per year for two years.
• Community Bank Scholarships: About 70 Community Banks are participating in Bendigo Bank’s scholarship program offering scholarships for university, agricultural colleges, TAFE, and secondary school study.
Applications close January 31 next year. For more information about the scholarship program, visit www.bendigobank.com.au/community/foundation/scholarships/
