MEGT Foundation Scholarship Program

MEGT foundation

The MEGT Foundation was created in 2021 with the support of Victoria University, the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR) and Learn Local to help provide opportunities for women experiencing disadvantage in its various forms to fulfil their career aspirations by returning to study.

Up to ten scholarships worth up to $15,000 each are available each year. Scholarship funding can be used to study a Vocational Education and Training (VET) qualification or to commence the first year of a undergraduate program. Successful applicants also receive one-on-one coaching to help keep them on track and are invited to participate in a scholar’s Community of Practice to connect and support them to learn new techniques and skills which may be useful in their studies. These skills can help improve academic writing, goal setting, and even provide stress management support.

In July 2022, a pilot scholarship program was launched to enable scholars to begin a course of study in early 2023.

The applications for 23/24 are now closed. 

Meet our first round of scholars

Meet The Team

Program Details

For more information please read through the below.

  • Am I eligible?

    To be eligible for the program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

    • Female or identify as a female
    • Aged 18 or over
    • Residing in Australia for the entirety of the scholarship period 
    • An Australian citizen, permanent resident, or Humanitarian Visa holder
    • Experiencing financial hardship and/or personal disadvantage
    • Able to demonstrate commitment and availability to pursue study through to completion, including participation in coaching and the Community of Practice
  • What other requirements are there?

    All applicants will be required to demonstrate their motivation, determination, and competence to complete study and career goals beyond the scholarship, by:

    • Meeting study requirements including regular attendance and time commitments for assignments
    • Managing study and other commitments effectively
    • Participate in coaching sessions and Community of Practice 
    • Providing proof of enrolment in the course applied for prior to being sent the scholarship agreement
    • Studying in 2024 in Cert 2/3/4 or diploma or bachelor of chosen field
  • How do I apply?

    The 2024 round of applications opens on 3 July 2023.

    If you wish to submit an expression of interest please complete the online form and attend a compulsory briefing session.

    Attendance at a Briefing session is compulsory and will provide applicants with an overview of the criteria and process, and also an opportunity to ask questions.

    Briefing sessions will be held on:

    • 12pm Wednesday 26 July
    • 12pm Monday 31 July
    • 12pm Tuesday 8 August
    • 12pm Monday 14 August
  • Personal disadvantage

    Personal disadvantage applicants include:

    • Survivors of domestic, family or sexual violence
    • Early school leavers (before completing Year Ten)
    • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons
    • Those with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) background 
    • Refugees or asylum seekers on a Humanitarian Visa 
    • Those living with disability or debilitating health condition 
    • Having a mental health barrier such as anxiety, depression, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and/or neurodiversity  
    • Applicants experiencing poverty 
    • Single parents
    • Unemployed or underemployed
    • Over 50 years of age

    Those applying based on financial hardship can demonstrate this if they are a holder of a Health Care card.

  • Reasonable allowances

    MEGT and the Scholars Working Group members understand the difficulties which may arise due to personal hardship and are dedicated to being flexible in their approach to selecting scholarship recipients.  

    Examples:  

    • Leaving situations of domestic/family or sexual violence and potentially unable to qualify for a Health Care Card due to their financial situation not being finalised as part of the separation process  
    • Previous completion of a VET qualification and wanting to complete a qualification of a similar level to reskill
    • Unable to access the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) or VET student loan
    • Asylum seeker or refugees on a Humanitarian Visa and ineligible for a HECS or VET loan, but looking to become a permanent resident of Australia
    • A person aged 50-plus, recently separated, experiencing poverty and/or homelessness and interested in reskilling to obtain employment. The applicant may be further marginalised by having to pay off a HECS-HELP loan or VET student loan
  • What will the scholarship help with?

    Scholarships are intended to support the applicants to gain skills, knowledge, and financial stability to pursue a meaningful and sustainable career. Financial support provided through the scholarship program may be used for the following:

    • Fees for short courses, certificates, a diploma or the first year of a graduate qualification, assuming that a free TAFE placement, HECs or VET loan are not available.
    • Childcare or babysitting to support course attendance, studying and completion of assignments (up to $1,200 per year)
    • Internet/Wi-Fi access (up to $500 per year)
    • Laptop, monitor and printer purchased by MEGT (up to $1,300)
    • Office equipment such as a desk and/or chair (up to $1,000 per scholar)
    • Living expenses such as food and/or payment of utilities (up to $2,400 per year)
    • Travel expenses such as public transport or petrol (up to $800 per year)
    • Tutoring (up to $1,000 per year)
    • Books, stationery, and materials (up to $400)
    • Uniforms if required (up to $400)

    NOTE: The amount allocated to an individual scholar is based upon the level of the qualification, whether study is full or part-time, and the total amount requested.  

  • One-on-one and group support

    Group and one-on-one support are important, which is why we offer:

    • One-on-one coaching sessions with the Foundation Manager (four times per year)
    • Scholars’ Community of Practice sessions (four times per year for either half or full day)

    Topics covered in Community of Practice

    • Goal setting 
    • Academic writing 
    • Stress management 
    • Boundary setting
    • Time management
    • Financial literacy

The MEGT Foundation Working Group

The Working Group comprises representatives from MEGT’s People and Culture, Marketing and Recruitment Management Services (RMS) divisions, in partnership with Victoria University (English Programs) and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry & Regions (DJSIR), (Manager - Adult Learning Programs).

(Left to right) Front Row: Georgina Ryder – Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions; Beck Packer – Scholar, Jodie Belyea - MEGT Foundation Manager, Tahlia Kotiau - Scholar. Middle Row: Cherie Shepherd – Scholar, Kate Hanson, MEGT Brand & Campaign Manager; Gosia Blasxczyk – Scholar; Mel Flores, MEGT Foundation Admin Support; Anastasiia Horylsavets – Scholar.
Back Row: Zheng Rong – Scholar; Gabriella Zibell - Victoria University. Not pictured: Stacey Johns - Scholar, Susan Jakobi – Scholar, Nick Coe – MEGT, Stella Simmons – MEGT, Arvind Shamar - Victoria University

The Working Group strives to:

  • Provide industry expertise, advice and feedback on the model, processes and recruitment strategy
  • Provide expertise relating to the target group, industry, policies, application and enrolment processes and pathways
  • Risk management via and support the engagement of suitable applicants
  • Access to free venues for Community of Practice, interviews and annual celebration event
  • Access to tutors and trainers to deliver training on topics such as academic writing