Accelerate

Accelerate is a three-year scholarship program that combines corporate mentoring and financial relief for high-potential Australian students from low socio-economic (SES) backgrounds. It specifically targets students whose disadvantage is impacting their ability to pursue tertiary pathways and achieve their potential.

The program covers Years 11, 12 and the first year of further education/training. Scholars receive:

• one-on-one support with a mentor from ABCN’s network of corporate partners to help develop workplace skills, growth mindsets, aspirations and connections
• $7000 amortised across the three-year program to assist with educational expenses and help alleviate financial hardship in their homes
• targeted focus on transition from school to tertiary education
• workplace access and exposure to the corporate environment

Applications are open to all Year 10 Australian students and are rigorously assessed against pre-determined criteria based on student merit, level of disadvantage and need.

Every year, we also offer targeted scholarships at the request of our funders. In the past these have included:

• Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• Refugee and/or non-English-speaking background
• Female
• Geographic (particular states or regions)
• LGBTQI
• Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM) focus

Accelerate is a unique scholarship program with the power to transform lives, not just for the scholar, but for generations to follow.

‘We are proud to award these scholarships to extraordinary young individuals across Australia who are facing substantial challenges and have demonstrated a powerful capacity for leadership to support tomorrow’s Australia. We were immensely moved by their stories and their resilience and determination to succeed. We trust that they will make good use of this opportunity to achieve great things. We are equally as supportive of our Highly Commended Awardees and acknowledge their stories and circumstances with the hope our recognition will spark positive change.’ – ABCN Foundation Chair Michael Hawker AM

Program time commitment

Year 1 (includes Leadership Summit): 30 hrs total for students, 25 hrs total for mentors
Year 2: Approx. 20 hrs total for both students and mentors
Year 3: Approx. 20 hrs total for both students and mentors

Learn more about our scholarship program from past scholar, Shadab, and his mentor Niall.

Shadab, ABCN Foundation Scholarship recipient, and his mentor Niall McConville, General Manager, Retail Distribution, TAL Life.