For commencing first-year students who are passionate about business, law or construction/project development, and who can demonstrate circumstances which impact their study; worth up to $50,000.
Applications for Semester 1 2027 open 1 August 2026
This scholarship provides $10,000 per year for up to the standard duration of program.
One scholarship available.
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:
- be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident, permanent humanitarian visa holder or international student visa holder
- be commencing at RMIT Melbourne City Campus in your first year in Semester 1 and 2 2027, and have a program offer by 23 December 2026*
- be enrolling full-time in in one of the following programs:
- Bachelor of Business (BP343)
- Bachelor of Business Professional (BP344)
- Bachelor of Commerce (BP357)
- Bachelor of Laws (BP335)
- Bachelor of Property Development, Investment and Valuation (Honours) (BH113)
- Bachelor of Construction Management (Honours) (BH114)
- Double degree with any of the above listed programs
- 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)
- completed secondary school at a SNAP (School Network Access Program) school
- not have previously completed the same level of program or higher, for example, if you plan to study a Bachelor of Commerce, you should not have previously completed another bachelor's degree
*Direct to RMIT program applicants must also accept their program offer by this date. International students must accept their program offer by 3 January 2027.
It is preferred that you apply direct to RMIT for this scholarship.
International students
The online application form will be made available here when applications open.
Direct to RMIT applications (domestic students)
The online application form will be made available here when applications open.
VTAC Applications (domestic students)
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
International students: 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.
Domestic students: 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 currently studying (or 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.
Timely applications: If you submit your Access and Equity Scholarship Application by 31 August 2026, we’ll let you know if we need any additional documentation.
Applications for Semester 1 2027 close 2pm Tuesday 20 October 2026. No late applications will be accepted.
View the Coursework Scholarships Office’s terms and conditions (PDF, 698KB).
The MAI Foundation is passionate about supporting RMIT students in the fields of business, law, and construction or project development and management.
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.
