Sam Papasavas Scholarship

Sam Papasavas Scholarship

For current or former refugee students studying an associate or bachelor's degree; worth up to $50,000.

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Applications now closed

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This scholarship provides up to $10,000 per year for up to the standard duration of your program.

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 2026 (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 financial hardship such as:
    • receiving a government tested low income benefit or having a Centrelink Health Care Card
  • be able to demonstrate circumstance/s which impact your ability to study such as:
    • living with a disability, long-term medical condition or identify as neurodivergent
    • 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
    • were born overseas, are from a non-English speaking background and recently migrated to Australia
    • have completed your secondary education at a School Network Access Program school

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.

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 are now closed.

This scholarship will next be offered for Semester 1, 2027, with applications opening August 2026.

Applications are now closed.

View the Coursework Scholarships Office’s terms and conditions (PDF, 698KB).

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.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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