For current or former refugee students who can demonstrate circumstances which impact their study; worth up to $35,000.
Applications are now closed
This 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 an undergraduate degree program in semester 1 and 2 2025
- 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
- living with a disability, long-term medical condition or identify as neurodiverse
- 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 link to the application form will be provided here once 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.
Find out more about applying for scholarships.
Applications are now closed.
Applications are now closed. The scholarship is next expected to be offered for Semester 1 2029, applications opening August 2028.
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.
