While traditional scholarships mainly focus on high-achieving school leavers, the Regional Achievement, Regional Access and Regional Indigenous scholarships deliberately expand the reach.
The $7000 scholarships support undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with the first intake expected next year.
To amplify the impact, La Trobe has committed up to $1 million in 2026 to match philanthropic donations dollar for dollar.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Theo Farrell promoted these scholarships during a visit to the Albury-Wodonga campus on 24 October, using the occasion to call on donors to help transform lives through education.
“We know that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. That’s why La Trobe is investing in scholarships that reach beyond the school leaver to mature-age students, single parents and others who deserve a pathway to university,” Professor Farrell said.
“By matching every philanthropic dollar with university funding, we’re doubling the impact. This is not just an investment in students, it’s an investment in the future of our regions.”
It’s in response to ambitious targets outlined in La Trobe’s Regional Growth and Innovation Strategy, announced this year in May, to award 1000 scholarships by 2030 and drive student growth across its regional campuses.
Dyllan Gazzara’s journey from military service to nursing studies was shaped by a life changing experience with his son’s health at just 6 weeks old.
The Bachelor of Nursing student at the Albury-Wodonga campus highlights how La Trobe’s regional scholarships support talented individuals whose educational paths are anything but conventional.
“I received the La Trobe Indigenous Scholarship in first semester of my first year and it’s been very helpful,” Dyllan said.
“As a father of three under the age of three, the scholarship helped ease the financial pressure of studying full time. It covered essential costs like uniforms, my first aid course and daily travel to Myrtleford for placements - all while supporting my family at home.”
For La Trobe Vice-Chancellor Excellence Scholarship recipient Bella Seamer, a Bachelor of Education student at the Albury-Wodonga campus, the generosity of donors has a real and lasting impact.
“Money philanthropists generously donate will not only assist students, who may have financial difficulties or other disadvantages in their lives, but it will invest into the careers of future people that will make an impact in society,” Bella said.
“We need nurses, doctors and teachers for our future and it’s the philanthropists that help ensure all students have the chance to study what they want without external circumstances disabling them.”
Donors are invited to join this movement and invest in the future of regional Australia. For more information or to contribute, visit: Giving, La Trobe University.
Students can apply for the Regional Indigenous and Regional Access scholarships via an online application form by 7 December. Students who’ve applied for eligible courses in VTAC, UAC or directly will be automatically considered for the Regional Achievement scholarship.
About the Scholarships
- The $7000 scholarships will be delivered across two payments for the duration of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, with the first intake expected next year.
- The scholarships will be consolidated under a new framework along with existing regional scholarships to simplify the process for all students and ensure offerings are clearer and more accessible.
Case studies
Albury-Wodonga
Proud Ngemba man from Brewarrina and Bachelor of Social Work (Honours) student Monty Kellett-McHughes received the La Trobe Indigenous Scholarship in June 2024 after completing his first semester of university.
Monty graduated from James Fallon High School in 2023 with an International Big Picture Learning Credential before being admitted into La Trobe's Tertiary Preparation Program, which set him on a path to university success.
“Receiving this scholarship was a moment of great pride for me and my family as it recognised the hard work and commitment I had put into my studies and goals,” Monty said.
“It has eased the financial pressures associated with university life, including study resources, allowing me to focus more on my coursework and community engagement.
“Most importantly, it represents an investment in my future as a proud Ngemba student pursuing a career in social work and it strengthens my commitment to giving back to my community through education and advocacy.”
Bendigo
Alana Tagliabue, third year Bachelor of Nursing and Bachelor of Midwifery student in Bendigo, said her scholarship was the difference between “barely surviving to thriving”.
“It has meant I have some agency over my hectic life. I have four kids and studying a double degree full time where there’s a lot of placements,” Alana said.
“For example, this week alone, the parking will cost $70. I simply cannot afford that cost but with the scholarship, I haven’t had to worry.
“It helps me pay my rent. It has changed my life.”
In 2024, Bendigo accounting firm AFS & Associates Chartered Accountants funded a $15,000 Accounting Excellence Scholarship in response to workforce shortages gripping the accounting and business industries.
“We’re proud to partner with La Trobe University Bendigo to support the Accounting Excellence Scholarship,” Kate Mannix, CEO of AFS, said.
“By investing in local students, we’re helping secure the future of Bendigo’s accounting and business workforce and ensuring regional university degrees remain accessible for generations to come.”
The scholarship is awarded to a high-achieving regional student with the highest ATAR in the Bachelor of Accounting at the Bendigo campus. Daniel Artavilla was the scholarship’s first recipient and will receive $5000 across his three-year degree.
Mildura
James Herberte’s graduation from La Trobe’s Mildura campus in 2021 was the culmination of determination, sacrifice and support.
As a mature-aged student balancing a mortgage and bills, James faced the financial strain of 15 weeks’ unpaid placement during his final year. With no annual leave from his casual job at a nursing home and COVID halting his side gigs as a musician, the pressure mounted.
Receiving the Pattersdale Bursary from a donor in Albury made all the difference.
“The bursary helped me cover living costs while on placement and gave me a healthier work-life balance,” James said.
“If I didn’t receive it, I likely would have deferred or dropped out altogether. I don’t know where I would have landed professionally, but probably not nursing.”
Now a Registered Nurse working in intensive care, the musician and new dad is preparing to further his studies in critical care next year.
La Trobe's Proust Family Scholarship is aimed at a second-chance recipient. It provides $7500 per year in financial support as well as mentorship throughout the recipient's degree.
Elizabeth Proust AO, a high-profile business figure, Australian changemaker and La Trobe University alum, is behind this generous donation.
“I had the great advantage of studying at La Trobe in the ‘70s on a Commonwealth Scholarship,” Elizabeth said.
"It’s important to give something back to the community and for me that is in funding a scholarship for a woman in regional Victoria.”
Shepparton
Amanda Skipper graduated with a Master of Business Administration from La Trobe University’s Shepparton campus in May this year, but getting to this point was no easy feat.
While completing her Master’s, Amanda juggled full-time work, supported a family member through cancer treatment and took on the care of three nieces and nephews during the 4 pandemic – all while managing her own household.
Receiving the Sali Scholarship in April 2023 provided not only financial relief but a powerful boost to Amanda’s mental wellbeing, reigniting motivation and affirming her hard work.
Amanda has described the scholarship as a symbol of recognition that helped her push through one of the most challenging periods of her life.
“This scholarship made me feel so empowered and proud of myself. It reignited the fire within me to continue to strive to do my best,” Amanda said.
“It felt like a thank you for all the hard work you have already done and an incentive to continue working hard.”
Since graduating, Amanda has taken up a new position as Senior Project Lead within the early years department at Greater Shepparton City Council.
But the impact of her scholarship and the support she received have made a lasting impression as Amanda navigates the next chapter of her life with gratitude and determination.
“You never know the impact you can have on someone's life until it happens but when it happens, it's probably one of the greatest experiences in life,” Amanda said.
“I can’t put into words how incredible grateful I am to my sponsors and I think about them often when I am navigating through life. I’m always grateful to have been given such an amazing opportunity.”
PHOTO: Dyllan Gazzara, third-year Bachelor of Nursing student and La Trobe Indigenous Scholarship recipient at the Albury-Wodonga campus.
Media Contact
Jess Whitty - j.whitty@latrobe.edu.au, 0481 383 817
