Cedar Pacific Indigenous Accommodation Scholarship

In semester 1 2023 the scholarship will be paid as a rental subsidy for a standard studio at UniLodge Royal Melbourne for up to two years.

For students who can demonstrate financial disadvantage, the full weekly cost is subsidised by this scholarship (worth up to *$21,788 for a full year or *$10,894 for a single semester).

For applicants who cannot demonstrate financial disadvantage a student contribution of *$120 per week is required for the duration of the lease (*$6,240 for a full year / *$3,120 for a single semester).

Note:

• if you study at the Bundoora campus, please be aware that it can take over 1.5 hours to travel by public transport from the city and is not a suitable accommodation option. Please instead review the UniLodge@ RMIT Bundoora Accommodation Scholarship.

*The value and duration of the scholarship for 2023 is still to be confirmed, and the above may be subject to changes

To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:

• identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
• register with RMIT’s Ngarara Willim Centre and provide documentation confirming that you are an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander by the scholarship application due date
• be from an interstate or rural/regional area and moving/moved to Melbourne to study at RMIT
• 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
  • 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
• be enrolling full-time in semester 1 2023 in a certificate IV, diploma, degree or postgraduate by coursework program at RMIT
• not already be committed to a student accommodation provider under a lease agreement in 2023
• have not commenced or completed the same or higher level of award

If you are a certificate IV or diploma student you must:

• not be in an apprenticeship or traineeship program

Preference will be given to students commencing a program at RMIT for the first time.

It is preferred that you apply direct to RMIT for this scholarship.

Direct to RMIT applications

Complete the online application by the close date. Partial applications will not be assessed.

VTAC applications

Apply online through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) website (www.vtac.edu.au).

Supporting documentation

Before you begin your application, please visit Supporting Your Application for more information about supporting your application with evidence and answering application questions. Applications without supporting documents will not be considered.

You will need:

• to confirm your Indigenous eligibility with RMIT’s Ngarara Willim Centre prior to the application close date

If you cannot provide the required confirmation documentation by the scholarship application due date, please review the Cedar Pacific Elizabeth Accomodation Scholarship, RMIT Accommodation Scholarship, Scape Accommodation Support Scholarship, Iglu Accommodation Support Scholarship or Journal Accommodation Support Scholarship whose eligibility is based on financial and educational circumstances.  

Find out more about applying for scholarships.

Applications are now open.

Applications close 11:59PM Sunday 16 October 2022. No late applications will be accepted.

View the Coursework Scholarships Office’s terms and conditions.

Additional charges

The scholarship does not cover food, internet, telephone, bond, bed and kitchen packs, activities, parking or departure cleaning fees.

Bond: Students will be required to pay a bond of *$1455 (2022 rate) to UniLodge Royal Melbourne prior to moving in. This will be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA). The bond is refundable at the end of the lease period following the receipt of the bond claim form, studio inspection and clearance of all relevant payments to UniLodge Royal Melbourne.

Students will also be charged an exit cleaning fee. 

If you are paying rent and want to cancel your lease agreement, you are required to continue paying all your rent charges until a new resident can be secured or the contract ends, whichever comes first.

*2023 rate is still to be confirmed, and the above may be subject to changes.

Moving to Melbourne

Quotes from past recipients:

"I was extremely grateful to be awarded this scholarship as it opened up the opportunity for me to study at my first choice of university. It has made my transition so smooth and easy, and everyone I have been in contact with has been so friendly." - Bachelor of Criminology and Psychology student

Coursework Scholarships Office or Ngarara Willim.