Sam Papasavas Scholarship

This scholarship provides up to $7,000 per year for up to two years.

Two scholarships available.

To be eligible for this scholarship you must:

• be an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent humanitarian visa holder
• be a current or former refugee (current/former holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa)
• be enrolling full-time in Semester 1 and 2 in an associate or bachelor's degree at RMIT in 2027 (or part-time with exceptional circumstances)
• have at least one year of full-time study in your program left to complete
• be able to demonstrate you 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
• 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 an early school leaver, mature-age student, or you entered university via a TAFE pathway
  • are from a low socioeconomic (low SES) background
  • have recently completed secondary schooling at a SNAP (School Network Access Program) school

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.

You must provide evidence of your refugee status in Australia. You will need a copy of your current or former: 

• permanent humanitarian visa their Australian Permanent Humanitarian Visa; or

• Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) check; or

• refugee documentation from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection/Department of Home Affairs.

Please visit Supporting Your Application for more information.

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 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.