Western Chances
Our enduring partnership with Western Chances – now a Major Alliance agreement – provides study and career opportunities to young people who are facing financial barriers.
Focusing on access to education, training and network development, our shared commitment with Western Chances supports motivated young people who live in the west of Melbourne to achieve their potential.
About our collaboration
Western Chances' vision is to enable young people facing financial barriers to reach their potential. Providing scholarships, life-changing opportunities and ongoing support, their mission is to enable these young people to thrive.
We believe that access and equal opportunities for all people in Melbourne’s west is critical. Victroria University (VU) and Western Chances share a commitment to promoting longterm outcomes for Melbourne’s western region and believe that talented and motivated young people facing financial barriers should be given an equal opportunity to fulfil their potential.
The Western Chances model is simple – they provide students with scholarships to pay for essential items that have a big impact in helping them stay in school. This includes textbooks, laptops, home internet, public transport and specialist subject equipment.
Through our Major Alliance agreement, VU and Western Chances work together to support students areas across a range of initiatives, including:
- collaborating to create greater access to scholarships for VU students
- developing programs to link Western Chances alumni with career and industry networks
- expanding opportunities for recipients to do meaningful internships and gain work experience.
![A group of young women and two middle-aged men in suits pose against a wall of yellow and white logos](https://content.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/styles/vu_large_16_9/public/images/2024-04/group-western-chances-vc.jpg?h=3dbd9eac&itok=ETEEwGt3)
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
This partnership address the following Sustainable Development Goals.
Benefits for students & courses
At VU, we understand how important education is in enabling students to achieve their full potential, and how access to a scholarship can help make that happen.
Each year, VU awards hundreds of scholarships to students at all levels – TAFE, undergraduate, and postgraduate – providing financial and practical assistance for students to get a head start.
VU is committed to providing an annual allocation of 35 Access Scholarships for Western Chances recipients studying at VU, with each scholarship valued at $1,000.
Scholarship stories
In the news
![People in professional dress pose for the camera](https://content.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/styles/vu_large_16_9/public/images/2024-03/western-chances-group-news.jpg?h=9603b9fd&itok=M0WPD3LP)