Coming Soon!
This year, the SHCF is proud to launch the Southern Highlands Education & Apprenticeship Fund (SHEAF), an initiative designed to inspire and support young people from the Southern Highlands to pursue tertiary and vocational qualifications.
Through financial grants, SHEAF will support local students undertaking university degrees, TAFE courses and apprenticeships, helping them take the next step towards their careers and fulfilling their potential.
SHEAF is built on a simple but powerful idea: as a community, we invest in the future of our young people and their aspirations.
We are thrilled to announce our first SHEAF University scholarship, generously donated by Paula and Rob McLean. The Board Directors of the SHCF have individually donated the initial funds to establish the apprenticeship fund.
We believe a community pooled education fund will attract a broader range of donors and create a stronger, more strategic and longer-term investment in the youth of the Southern Highlands.
The SHEAF financial grants available in 2026 are:
In addition, each recipient will be paired with a mentor from the SHCF Board, providing ongoing guidance and support. Mentors will meet with their mentees at least once per quarter, offering valuable advice and helping students navigate the challenges of their educational journey as well as building confidence and community connection.
What can a SHEAF grant be used for?
Rather than being used for tuition fees, SHEAF grants are intended to support accommodation, travel/living expenses or establishment costs e.g. tools, equipment, IT requirements – taking some of the pressure off so that recipients can focus on their studies.
We invite young people aged 16-25 who are considering further education (or students already enrolled who meet eligibility requirements) to apply for a SHEAF scholarship or grant. Candidates will meet the following criteria:
SHEAF applications will open on July 30 and close on September 30, 2026. Applicants will be notified as to whether their application was successful at the end of October with announcements made in November.
Through SHEAF, we are investing not only in individual students but in the long-term health and prosperity of our region. By supporting young people to pursue university studies, vocational training and apprenticeships, we are helping build the skilled professionals and tradespeople our community needs to thrive and grow.
We believe that investing in our youth is fundamental to the future of our community. Through inspiration, guidance and practical financial support, SHEAF aims to help young people overcome financial barriers, realise their potential and contribute to a vibrant, resilient Southern Highlands for generations to come.
We are actively seeking donors to grow the education fund and increase the number of scholarships and grants we have available. Help us reach our goal of giving young people access to opportunities in further education and vocational training – a donation of any size will help to grow our impact. Donate to SHEAF
To learn more about how you can support SHEAF or apply for a scholarship, please email is at office@shcf.org.au.
Together, we can help our young people thrive.
You can spend it on any reasonable living expense to do with your tertiary education. It can’t be spent on the course or education itself.
You will need to keep receipts for all of your costs/expenses under the grant and provide the receipts as part of your grant reporting (acquittal) process.
In 2026, we will award 1 McLean University Scholarship (for 2027-2029).
We will award multiple Apprenticeship Grants depending on the application and greatest need.
We will ask for a written response, a tick box declaration and a letter of support from your school, Tafe, educational institution, workplace or university.
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For the University Scholarship we will award the scholarship once university places have been awarded for 2027. Receipt of the scholarship will be contingent on acceptance and enrolment in a university course. We recognise that applicants may not have this acceptance yet and still encourage you to apply in this round and notify us once acceptance has been received.
For Apprenticeship Grants you must be enrolled in a course or apprenticeship and provide evidence of this.
Acknowledgement of country
The Southern Highlands Foundation acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2023 Southern Highlands Community Foundation.
