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Search table for Victorian private schools offering scholarships in 2026

Time is running out for those vying for scholarships at Victoria’s elite private schools for the 2026 academic year, with some schools already closing their application processes.

Full list: Private schools in Victoria offering scholarships in 2026
Full list: Private schools in Victoria offering scholarships in 2026

Time is running out for parents to secure coveted scholarships at Victoria’s top private schools for the 2026 academic year.

Many schools are offering subsidised tuition fees, with some providing full-fee scholarships that cover 100 per cent of costs.

More than 116 private schools are offering scholarships in 2026 in a wide range of categories, including academic and general excellence, sports, music, drama, dance, visual arts, and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Several schools are also offering unique scholarships: Ballarat Christian College is providing an Outstanding Character Scholarship, Camberwell Girls Grammar School has the Principal’s Scholarship for Service, and Gippsland Grammar School is introducing “The Be Your Potential Scholarship”.

Covenant College is recruiting students with niche talents, such as playing rare musical instruments like the bagpipes or Scottish snare drum.

Applicants for the college’s Pipe & Drum Scholarship will need to audition in April, with successful students eligible for scholarships of up to $10,000 per year.

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL LIST OF SCHOLARSHIPS

While many scholarship applications close in January or February, some schools are still accepting applications later in the year.

Entrance exams for most private schools will be held in February and March.

Harriet Fulton was in year 10 when she decided to throw her hat in the ring for the Kimberley exchange program scholarship run by Genazzano FCJ College.

Through the program, students from Melbourne attend school in Broome for three weeks while Top End teens travel to Melbourne.

“We had to write an essay or a letter about why we wanted to participate and what we would give back to the community when we returned,” she said.

“It was an interesting experience, I was a boarder as well so it was a whole different experience for my host sister,” she said.

Ms Fulton said the experience had been a “big contributor” in helping her decide a direction for her future.

“We spent the first few weeks in different schools and now I’m studying to be a teacher,” she said.

“It would be really lovely to return, potentially full time to give back (to the community).”

Originally from Echuca, Ms Fulton attended the eastern suburbs college with the assistance of a bursary, helping to keep tradition alive after her mother and grandmother were also past students.

Former Genazzano FCJ College student Ella Redman was also awarded the Kimberley exchange program scholarship in year 10. Picture: supplied.
Former Genazzano FCJ College student Ella Redman was also awarded the Kimberley exchange program scholarship in year 10. Picture: supplied.

Former Genazzano FCJ College student Ella Redman was also awarded the Kimberley exchange program scholarship in year 10, which was fully funded by her school.

Ms Redman said the scholarship was a “life changing experience” that nudged her to pursue a career in teaching.

“The scholarship made me feel like, ‘this is what I was meant to do. This is who I am’. I just felt so in my element, like I was made to teach and be an educator,” she said.

Former Genazzano FCJ College student Ella Redman. Picture: supplied.
Former Genazzano FCJ College student Ella Redman. Picture: supplied.

The 21-year-old is now finishing her bachelor of education primary at ACU and said the scholarship cemented her passion to give back to the community.

“It’s safe to say that the Kimberley exchange was a huge stepping stone for my passion to go to remote communities and low socio and economic areas to provide quality education for students that what don’t have the opportunity.”

Analysis of scholarships offered by the state’s independent and Catholic schools by he Herald Sunshows academic, music, performing arts and “general excellence” are the most common categories, giving discounts on tuition fees of between 25 and 100 per cent.

Others are also offering one-off grant funded by foundations or charities.

Schools will also provide old scholar scholarships to children of alumni

There are also scholarships offered to those enrolling as boarding students.

A handful of schools have already closed applications, including Ballarat Clarendon College, Mentone Girls’ Grammar School, Australian International Academy Tintern Grammar and Brighton Grammar School.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/melbourne-city/search-table-for-victorian-private-schools-offering-scholarships-in-2026/news-story/7adf6eebc36193e981f95222a84cba75