Earlier this month USC and the Community Bank Samford announced the Community Bank Samford Scholarship program to be awarded to full-time mature age students enrolled at USC Moreton Bay. Importantly the first criteria, is that applicants need to have a strong community focus demonstrated through academic, extra-curricular work, volunteering or community involvement.
This is no surprise because of course at the Community Bank Samford our whole ethos centres on supporting our community and sharing the message that who you bank with matters. We believe, we know, we see, every day the impact that we can create in our local community, and we want our customers to know, that their banking is making a real difference.
Every day our customers help change lives, and save lives, simply by banking with us. Their home loans are building skate and sports parks, hospital wings and classrooms. Personal loans, business banking and credit cards are funding ambulances, rescue boats,
and disabled and aged care facilities. The Community Bank Samford Scholarship is part of that giving back to community circle where we also recognise and reward individuals who share our commitment to community.
This Scholarship will support mature-age students enrolled at USC Moreton Bay Campus with financial assistance to offset the costs associated with tertiary study. We appreciate that these costs can significantly impact a student’s ability to further their education – and for mature age students this is compounded as the assistance available is not as comprehensive as compared to younger student cohorts. There are a range of reasons for this but for mature age students, often many are parents, or have other caring and other financial responsibilities that can challenge their ability to complete their studies.[1]
Our Scholarship Program, comprised of three scholarships per year, is one way we can take a bit of the pressure off and support mature age students achieve their educational goals. Each scholarship recipient will be offered and paid a $2,500 lump sum payment in semesters 1 and 2 of the year the scholarship is awarded.
Pine Rivers Community Finance Ltd owns and operates the Samford Community Bank® branch of Bendigo Bank Ltd. The Brendale Community Bank was one of the first Community Bank branches in Australia opening its doors in June 2002. On the back of Brendale’s success, the Samford Community Bank commenced operation in August 2009. In 2022, the Brendale Branch merged with the Samford Branch.
The branch produces strong profits and has at their core a drive to ensure that a large majority of our profits are given back to our community in the form of sponsorships, grants and scholarships to create real change to people’s lives.
The Community Bank Samford Scholarship is part of the Bendigo Bank Community Bank Scholarship Program, with numerous Community Bank branches and other partners taking part in similar support of tertiary education across Australia. Further information as to eligibility, criteria and application information can be found here.
[1] https://theconversation.com/the-typical-university-student-is-no-longer-18-middle-class-and-on-campus-we-need-to-change-thinking-on-drop-outs-73509
