For commencing first-year Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma students who are passionate about their education and can demonstrate circumstances which impact their study; worth up to $125,000.
Applications for Semester 1 2027 open 1 August 2026
This scholarship provides up to $25,000 per year ($12,500 per semester) for the standard full-time duration of your program.
The scholarship may continue if you articulate (move) into a higher‑level program in the same discipline, including within Vocational Education and/or undergraduate study.
Three scholarships available.
To be eligible for this scholarship you must:
- be an Australian citizen
- be commencing full-time enrolment in Semester 1 2027 in the first semester of a Certificate IV, Diploma* or Advanced Diploma program at RMIT, and have a program offer by 23 December 2026
- be able to demonstrate circumstance(s) that impact your ability to study, or be from an RMIT priority group, including:
- living with a disability, long-term medical condition, or identify as neurodivergent
- have experienced or currently experiencing significant personal or life difficulties
- have relocated/will be relocating from interstate or a rural or regional area to Melbourne to study at RMIT (check eligibility using the Regional Adjustment Calculator)
- are experiencing financial hardship, for example if you:
- receive a Centrelink/Department of Veterans' Affairs low-income support payment, or
- hold a low-income Centrelink Health Care Card
- are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- are an early school leaver, mature-age student, or you entered university via a TAFE pathway
- are a current or former refugee
- are from a low socioeconomic (low SES) background
- have recently completed secondary schooling at a SNAP (School Network Access Program) school
- be passionate about your education
- not have previously completed a program at the same level or higher, for example, if you are enrolled in a Diploma of Nursing, you should not have previously completed another diploma
*Undergraduate Diploma programs are ineligible, for example, Diploma of Flying (Pilot Cadetship), Diploma of Commerce, Diploma of Radiation Science.
It is preferred that you apply direct to RMIT for this scholarship.
Direct to RMIT applications
The online application form will be made available here when applications open.
VTAC Applications
Apply online through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) website (www.vtac.edu.au).
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.
Please visit Supporting Your Application for more information.
Application questions
If you are shortlisted for the scholarship, you will be contacted to answer further application questions. Please check the email address you nominate in your scholarship application form at least twice per week. It is expected that the online application will take approximately thirty minutes to complete. The questions are listed below to allow you time to prepare your answers in advance. When you answer these questions, please use your own words, ideas and experiences — we want to hear your voice, not something written by AI or copied from another source.
- What program are you about to start at RMIT, and why did you choose this program?
- What are your career plans after you finish your studies at RMIT?
- How will your RMIT program help you prepare for this future career?
- How would receiving a scholarship support you to continue and complete your studies at RMIT?
Find out more about applying for scholarships.
Applications for Semester 1 2027 open 1 August 2026.
Applications for Semester 1 2027 close 2:00pm Tuesday 20 October 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
View the Coursework Scholarships Office’s terms and conditions (PDF, 698KB).
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.
