For current or former refugee students who can demonstrate circumstances which impact their study; worth $7,000.
Applications now closed
The Emeritus Professor Brian Smith AO Scholarship provides $7,000 per year for up to the standard duration of program.
To be eligible for this scholarship you must:
- be an Australian citizen or a permanent humanitarian visa holder
- be a current or former refugee
- be enrolled full-time in a degree program in semester 1 and 2 2021
- be able to demonstrate circumstance/s which impact your ability to study such as:
- receiving a government tested low income benefit or having a Centrelink Health Care Card
- having a long term medical condition or disability
- experiencing personal/family/social difficulties
- be from an interstate or rural/regional area and moving/moved to Melbourne to study at RMIT
- have previously/are currently living in foster/kinship care or are a ward of the state
- be from an under-represented background such as completed secondary school at a School Network Access Program school
- have at least one year of your program left to complete
- not have completed a program at the same level or higher, e.g. if you plan to study a Bachelor of Architectural Design, you should not have previously completed another Bachelor degree.
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
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.
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. The questions are listed below to allow you time to prepare your answers in advance.
- Discuss your passion for studying in your chosen field, including the steps you have taken to achieve your educational goals.
- What are your future plans and career aspirations?
- How do you intend to use this scholarship and how will it assist you to achieve academic success?
- Discuss any difficult circumstances you have faced that have affected your education.
Find out more about applying for scholarships.
Applications are now closed.
It is anticipated that 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).
This scholarship was established by RMIT in 2014. It aims to provide support and encouragement to undergraduate students enrolled in any discipline at RMIT.
Emeritus Professor Brian Smith AO was the Director of RMIT from 1979 to 1985 and then served on the RMIT Foundation Board from 2007 to 2013. He became an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1998 in recognition of his services to post-secondary education.
Quotes from past recipients:
"The scholarship has changed my studies and my personal life. In terms of studies, all the resources that are available online and are not free, I was able to afford them and continue my studies. My personal life has changed by getting this scholarship, because before getting the scholarship, I was thinking to quit studies and start working full-time. I needed to financial help my family as well. But when I was awarded with the scholarship, I am now able to continue my studies and help my family as well." - Bachelor of Business (Marketing) (Applied) student
Find out how to contact the Coursework Scholarships Office.
