What’s happening?
Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland (RMHC SEQ) has opened applications for the 2025 Charlie Bell Scholarship, an annual initiative that helps young people who have faced illness or injury take their next step into education or training.
The scholarship awards $5,000 to applicants aged between 15 and 20 whose schooling has been disrupted by medical challenges. Funds can be used to cover tuition fees, apprenticeship tools, course materials, or any resources that help remove barriers to study. Applications are now open and will close on 30 November 2025.
Young people preparing for university, TAFE, or vocational studies in 2026 are encouraged to apply. Importantly, applicants do not need to have stayed at a Ronald McDonald House to be eligible.
Why it matters
The scholarship provides a pathway for young people to move forward after significant health-related setbacks. It aims to turn these experiences into motivation, giving recipients the means to work toward their career and education goals without the added stress of financial obstacles.
Local impact
The impact of the scholarship can be seen through past recipients like 2024 awardee, Erin Formann. Erin faced a rare and complex combination of health conditions, along with a personal loss, that made it difficult for her to attend classes regularly. This affected her academic performance and her social and emotional wellbeing.
Despite these challenges, Erin remained focused on her future. “I was determined to overcome my health obstacles, and it has shaped me into becoming a more empathetic and determined individual,” she said. Her determination is now channelled into her goal of becoming a nurse.
Thanks to the Charlie Bell Scholarship, Erin was able to begin her Certificate III in Pathology and purchase scrubs for her training. “Thanks to the Charlie Bell Scholarship, I was able to start my Cert III in Pathology, which I’m really enjoying. I’ve also used the funds to help purchase scrubs.”
By the numbers
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$5,000 is the value of each Charlie Bell Scholarship grant, covering education or training costs such as tuition, tools, and materials.
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Ages 15 to 20 is the eligibility range, ensuring support for young people in their final school years or early tertiary study.
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30 November 2025 is the closing date for applications, giving students time to prepare and apply before the end of the school year.
Zoom in
RMHC SEQ Chief Executive Officer Emma Thompson said the Charlie Bell Scholarship is one of the organisation’s most meaningful initiatives. “Every year we meet young people who have overcome extraordinary adversity and are determined to reach their goals,” she said. “The Charlie Bell Scholarship is about giving them the support they need to turn their experiences into motivation, and their dreams into reality.”
Zoom out
Ronald McDonald House Charities South East Queensland provides essential services for families with ill or injured children. These include accommodation that helps families stay together during times of physical, emotional, and financial stress, supported by dedicated staff and volunteers. The organisation’s work focuses on removing barriers, strengthening families, and promoting healing when children need healthcare.
What to look for next?
Applications for the 2025 Charlie Bell Scholarship close on 30 November 2025. Recipients will be announced after the closing date, highlighting stories of young Australians who have transformed personal challenges into educational opportunities.
