Charlie Bell Scholarship

Scholarship Program

Helping young people reach their goals.

About our Scholarships

A serious illness or injury can make life stand still. Making any progress – whether it be in your education or career – can feel almost impossible. That’s why our Scholarship program exists.

By awarding one-off grants of up to $5,000 to deserving young people, we’re giving them the chance to get their schooling or career back on track. So whether the money goes towards university fees, apprenticeship tools, books or supplies, RMHC is there to help them succeed.

Charlie Bell Scholarships open 1 August and close 30 November each year.

What are the details?

  • Scholarships are awarded annually
  • Applications close on 30th November each year
  • Selection will be made by the Ronald McDonald House Awards Committee
  • Attendance at the Awards Ceremony is required, where possible

Who can apply?

To apply for a scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:

  • You need to be between 15-20 yrs of age (permission from a parent or guardian is required for children under the age of 18)
  • You need to have been treated at a hospital for serious illness or injury
  • You must be eligible to attend a tertiary or vocational institution such as University, College or TAFE

How to get started

To apply for the scholarship, you will need to complete our application form which requires you to supply:

  • Educational information/history
  • Relevant medical history
  • An outline of your study aims, career pursuits, personal achievements, community involvement & goals for the future
  • A personal reference
  • Education/employer reference
  • Signature of parent/guardian (if under 18 years)

Criteria for Assessment

  • Current educational setting
  • Personal aims  
  • Achievements
  • Career pursuits and how the scholarship will help in achieving you goals
  • Community involvement

About Charlie Bell

The late Charlie Bell was the first Australian Global CEO of McDonald’s. After passing away following a courageous battle with cancer, Charlie left a wonderful legacy that allows young people who have experienced serious illness or injury to get their life back on track and follow their dreams.

RMHC is privileged to offer scholarships in honour of Charlie Bell.

Acknowledgement of Country

At RMHC Australia, we respect and acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land, skies and waterways on which we gather today. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present. We celebrate the resilience and strength of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people, the next generation of storytellers, Custodians, and leaders. We are honoured to support and work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including families with ill or injured children, so together, we can create a brighter, healthier future for every child.

Make a Difference for Families & Children

Parents don’t know when their child will need medical help. But they should know they can always access the care they need. And with your help, we can strive to support them all throughout their journey.