Certain criteria must be met when applying for a grant on behalf of a young person. 

Grants can be applied for when the following conditions are met:

• The young person (aged 10-25) is in primary or secondary school, further education, training or courses who lives, studies or works in Whitehorse.
• The young people/ their families are experiencing financial hardship - evidenced by low-income health care card of parents or young person and to be verified by the applicant (education provider or community agency). 

Important things to note:

• Maximum Grant of $400 per student per calendar year
• Preference is given to students attending Government school. However, the model doesn’t preclude students from fee paying schools.  
• Each applicant (education provider or community agency) can apply for a maximum of 2 applications per funding round. There are two funding rounds per calendar year.
• There are no other financial assistance schemes available to cover these expenses, such as the State Schools Relief Fund (available to eligible students within Victorian Government schools) or the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund (available to eligible students within both Victorian Government and non-government schools). Please see the hyperlinks below for more information:
  • State Schools’ Relief
  • Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund

Applications are only accepted by the education provider or a community agency on behalf of the young person. Parents/carers or students are not able to apply directly.

Whitehorse Education Assistant Grant rounds are held once per calendar year.

Application process is as follows: 

• Education provider or community agency to complete and submit the attached application form by closing date. 
• Whitehorse Education Assistance Grants panel assesses application and informs applicant of outcome.
• If approved, education provider or community agency to make payment for the item/s applied for. 
• Whitehorse Youth Services to reimburse education provider or community agency on receipt of required paperwork. 

Preference is given to students attending Government school. However, the model doesn’t preclude students from fee paying schools. 

Eligible items under the model:

• Compulsory textbooks, materials, resources, equipment and uniforms not covered by other assistance / schemes
• School trips / camps (assistance to remain engaged in education), not covered by other assistance / schemes
• Fees for training and short courses (for example VCAL, Pre-Apprenticeships, VET Certificates, First Aid, Barista course)
• IT equipment

Ineligible items under the model:

• Education fees / parent payments for mainstream primary and secondary schools
• Private tuition
• Out of school hours recreation activities 
• Travel assistance
• Possible ongoing financial commitment for student / family (i.e. mobile phone, internet)
• Health related equipment: reading glasses, hearing aid
• Child Care expenses