George Alexander Foundation Scholarship

For bachelor degree students with academic ability, leadership potential and a passion for community involvement; worth up to $24,000.

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Applications now closed

  • 4 x $16,000 scholarships; $8,000 per year for two years
  • 4 x $24,000 scholarships; $8,000 per year for three years 

Eight scholarships available.

To be eligible for this scholarship you must:

  • be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or permanent humanitarian visa holder
  • be enrolling full-time in semester 1 and 2 at RMIT in a bachelor degree in 2024
  • have completed at least one year of your program
  • have at least two years of full-time study remaining (full-time through 2024 and 2025)*
  • be able to demonstrate academic merit
  • show initiative and commitment in your academic and/or personal life
  • be active in your community (i.e., volunteer work, university clubs and committees, student leadership or sporting teams)
  • demonstrate leadership and leadership potential in your academic, professional and/or personal life
  • not have completed the same level of program or higher, e.g., if you are studying a Bachelor of Applied Science (Construction Management), you should not have previously completed another bachelor degree.

*Bachelor of Architectural Design (BP250) students who have at least two years of full-time study remaining or intend to transition into the Master of Architecture (MC163) immediately after completing BP250 are eligible to apply (if all other eligibility criteria are met). 

Postgraduate students are ineligible to apply.

The online application form will be made available here when applications open. 

Supporting documentation

Depending on your circumstances, you will need to provide different types of evidence and material to support your scholarship application. Applications without supporting documents will not be considered.

You will need:

  • one letter of recommendation, preferably from an academic, dated no more than three months ago
  • your curriculum vitae, no more than two pages in length
  • one letter of recommendation from an organisation to support your statements regarding your community participation dated no more than twelve months ago.

Please visit Supporting Your Application for more information.

Application questions

It is expected that the online application will take approximately thirty minutes to complete. The main application questions are listed below to allow you time to prepare your answers in advance prior to starting the online application.

  • Introduce yourself (200-300 words).
  • Study and Career Goals; Why have you chosen your current program and what are your professional career goals?
  • Academic standing; Highlight your academic achievements since commencing your degree. Mention any awards relevant to your chosen course and demonstrate any extra-curricular involvement to advance your standing in your field. (250-300 words).
  • Community involvement; Demonstrate how committed you are to your community. What volunteering have you participated in since commencing your degree, within your university and/or in the broader community? This might include, social and environmental causes, sporting clubs, charity programs, and peer mentoring. (250-300 words).
  • Leadership potential; Have you held any leadership positions since commencing your degree? Have you demonstrated leadership potential in other areas of your life? (250-300 words).
  • Core values and value statement; Identify a core value that helps ground you and explain why it is important to you.
  • Legacy; How do you wish to be remembered? (250-500 words)

All eligible and complete applications submitted by the due date will be reviewed and assessed by a selection committee against the Key Selection Criteria, being:

  • The applicant's academic standing and participation.
  • The level and quality of community participation undertaken by the applicant (including, volunteering, work history and other extracurricular activities).
  • The measure of leadership and leadership potential demonstrated in the applicant's academic, professional and personal life.

Find out more about applying for scholarships.

Applications for Semester 1, 2024 are now closed.

This scholarship will next be offered for Semester 1, 2025, with applications opening August 2024.

Applications are now closed.

View the Coursework Scholarships Office’s terms and conditions (PDF, 698KB).

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George Alexander (1910–2008) was an engineer who studied Industrial Management and Executive Training at RMIT. George was particularly aware of the obstacles he had faced as a child and his own lack of education, so he was inspired to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds get a start in life. In order to achieve this, he created the George Alexander Foundation to use his wealth in a constructive way.

Watch 2015 GAF Scholarship recipient Cassie Cohen shares her experiences on YouTube.

Watch a short biography of George Alexander, founder of the George Alexander Foundation on YouTube.

Watch George Alexander scholar Brenda McKinty's GAF 50th Anniversary Address on YouTube.

Find out how to contact the Coursework Scholarships Office.

Notice to applicants

The scholarship application process is highly competitive with a limited number of scholarships available. Unfortunately, not all eligible applicants will receive one.

Only successful candidates will be notified via email to their RMIT student account.

For information about other financial assistance available to RMIT students, please speak to one of our Student Welfare Advisors.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.