How to apply for a coursework scholarship

How to apply for a coursework scholarship

Learn how to find a coursework scholarship, prepare and submit an application, and accept an offered scholarship.

Applying for scholarships is an important step to assist you with your studies but there can be a lot to take in. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to funding your studies and achieving your academic goals.

Most scholarships offered by the Coursework Scholarships Office are access and equity based (also known as needs based). This means prioritising applicants experiencing circumstances impacting their study, or who are from an *RMIT priority group.

There are also scholarships that specifically recognise and reward academic or artistic achievement available.

*RMIT Priority Groups include:

  • Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders
  • Early school leavers, mature-age students, or applicants entered/entering university via a TAFE pathway
  • Current or former refugees
  • Applicants from a low socioeconomic (low SES) background
  • Applicants who have recently completed secondary schooling at a SNAP (School Network Access Program) school 

The instructions on this page apply to Coursework scholarships only. 

Coursework scholarships mainly refer to scholarships for domestic students who are studying TAFE (vocational education), undergraduate and postgraduate by coursework programs.

 

Applying for:

Step 1. Find a coursework scholarship

Use the links below to browse scholarships open now, or to view all scholarships. Each scholarship and grant has different eligibility criteria. To see if you're eligible, visit the webpage for the scholarship you're interested in.

Coursework scholarships open this month
All coursework scholarships

How you apply depends on what type of applicant you are (for example, a current Year 12 student or current RMIT student). This will determine whether you apply through an RMIT direct scholarship application or through VTAC.

Some scholarships don’t require an application and are awarded automatically if you meet the eligibility criteria.

When to apply?

Most coursework scholarships open for application in the semester before they are awarded (and you don't need to be enrolled to apply):

Main application periods

  • Semester 1: generally open from August to early-October in the previous year
  • Semester 2: generally open from mid-May to mid-June

Outside these times

How to apply?

Applicant type Semester 1 Semester 2 Outside main rounds
Year 12 student

Apply via VTAC Equity Schemes and Scholarships Application

OR

Apply direct to RMIT

 n/a Apply direct to RMIT
Non ‑Year 12 student Apply direct to RMIT Apply direct to RMIT Apply direct to RMIT
Current RMIT student Apply direct to RMIT Apply direct to RMIT Apply direct to RMIT

Note: Most direct access and equity scholarships are included in one application form, so you only need to apply once to be considered for all the scholarships you’re eligible for.

Check the relevant RMIT scholarship pages for full details, including whether VTAC Equity Schemes and Scholarships applications are accepted.

Step 2. Prepare your scholarship application

Application requirements and deadlines vary depending on the scholarship. Please see the How to apply and Close date sections on each scholarship webpage for specific information.

Supporting documentation

If you are experiencing circumstances which impact your ability to study or have been asked to provide a CV (curriculum vitae/resume) or letter of reference, please see Supporting documentation. Applications without the required documentation cannot be assessed.

Supporting documentation

Application questions

Some scholarships require you to answer a series of application questions. These are generally listed on each scholarship's webpage under the How to apply section.

Step 3. Submit your application

Online

Direct to RMIT scholarship applications will only be accepted via our online application forms.

All supporting evidence must be uploaded to its relevant file upload field within the application. Please ensure file size per upload is under 1MB, and is either in Word, PDF, or JPG format.

Late applications

You must submit your application and supporting documentation by the scholarship close date and time, located on each scholarship's webpage under the tab Close date section. We do not accept late scholarship applications or documentation submitted to our office after the closing date and time.

Please allow enough time to prepare your application, especially if you need to provide letters of recommendation or statements of support from health professionals, as these can take time to obtain.

Step 4. Wait for your application to be assessed

Scholarships and grants are assessed by the relevant selection committee and ranked according to the eligibility criteria.

Applications can only be assessed based on the information and documentation you provide. Selection committees do not have access to student information stored with other RMIT departments or external bodies.

Application outcomes

When you submit a scholarship application, you will receive confirmation via the email address you provided in the form. This confirmation email will include the date you can expect to receive a scholarship offer. If you have not received an offer by that date, you have been unsuccessful.

If you have questions about your scholarship application, or the outcome, please Contact Scholarships.

Being eligible doesn't guarantee a scholarship

Meeting scholarship eligibility criteria doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be awarded a scholarship, as there are more applicants than available scholarships. As part of a competitive process, applications are ranked against the eligibility criteria, and scholarships are awarded to applicants who best meet those criteria.

If you are unsuccessful, it doesn’t mean you are not in need; it means that other applicants have been assessed as being in greater need.

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome, you may lodge a complaint. If you do, you must clearly explain why you believe the original decision was incorrect. Being personally unhappy with a decision or simply saying it is not fair (without explaining why), is generally not adequate grounds for a decision to be reviewed.

Step 5. Accept your scholarship

If you are offered a scholarship, you will receive an email to your RMIT student account with a deadline and instructions on how to accept (usually via Enrolment Online). Please check your emails regularly if you are waiting for a scholarship outcome. Only successful applicants are contacted.

You must accept the terms and conditions attached to your scholarship. These may impact on your capacity to study part-time, change programs, fail subjects, defer or take a leave of absence. Please review the terms and conditions (pdf, 698KB) associated with your scholarship prior to accepting your provisional scholarship offer.

Tax and your scholarship

RMIT cannot advise you on tax matters; you need to seek advice from a tax professional. However, if you are looking for answers about tax and your scholarship, you may find the links below helpful.

Throughout your scholarship

Throughout the duration of your scholarship:

  • You may be asked to fill in surveys, participate in events or write reports. Please do so - your participation helps us communicate with our donors, which can only benefit you and students like you
  • Ensure you regularly view your scholarship in Enrolment Online and check your terms and conditions for any updates; and
  • Contact the Coursework Scholarships Office if your circumstances change

Need help?

Contact the Coursework Scholarships Office.

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