Fee extensions

RMIT understands some students may experience financial challenges during their studies. The University offers several financial support options for eligible students including a fee extension.

A fee extension grants eligible students a short extension of time to the due date of tuition fees and SSAF. 

Eligible students may be granted one (1) fee extension per standard semester of up to 30 days from their initial fee due date. The exact extension period is determined by RMIT during the fee extension assessment process. 

Fee extensions do not cover material fees, OSHC, Library fines or administrative fees. Students enrolled in flex terms or with multiple fee due dates in the same semester may not be eligible for a fee extension – eligibility will be determined when your application is assessed. 

Eligible students can apply for an additional fee extension in subsequent semesters if they have demonstrated a positive payment history. 

Fee extensions are not appropriate for students who do not have financial capacity to pay their fees within the extension period. If you can’t meet your fee payments on an ongoing basis due to financial hardship, other support is available. You may wish to change or cancel your enrolment or explore financial support. 

You may be eligible if you meet ALL of the following criteria:

• You are an enrolled domestic student or an international student; and 
• You are studying at an RMIT campus in Australia; and    
• You are currently enrolled in Semester 1 or 2; and   
• You have successfully completed at least 2 semesters at RMIT in the last 2 years; and   
• Your course duration is more than 3 months; and 
• You owe more than $1,000 in tuition fees; and   
• You apply within the approved application period, being: 
  • Before the Invoice Due Date (the eligibility of requests made after the Invoice Due date, will be determined when your application is assessed), and 
  • After the Last Day to Add Classes for the relevant semester (Semester 1 or 2) as listed in your important dates.

You are NOT eligible for a fee extension if you meet ANY of the following criteria:   

• You are in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP); or    
• You have a HELP loan or VET Student Loan and have not reached the loan cap/borrowing limit; or 
• You are eligible for a HELP loan or VET Student Loan, but have not applied for one; or 
• You are a Higher Degree by Research student or an RMIT Online student; or 
• You are in your first year of study at RMIT (to be eligible, you must have completed at least two semesters of study in the past two years); or   
• You have unpaid debts from previous semesters, including debt that might be in debt recovery; or 
• You have a disputed credit card payment to RMIT.

Fee extension eligibility criteria are periodically reviewed and subject to change. 

1. Check your eligibility – Review the criteria above carefully to make sure you’re eligible before you apply
2. Submit your application – To apply for a fee extension, submit a Fee Enquiry via the RMIT Connect Portal and include "Fee Extension" in the Description of enquiry field.  

Once you have submitted your application, it will be assessed and you will be informed of the outcome within 5 working days. 

If your fee extension application is declined and you believe you meet the eligibility criteria, you can request a review of the outcome.

To request a review, submit a Fee Enquiry via the RMIT Connect Portal and include “Fee extension review” in the Description of enquiry field. 

• If you have a question about your fees, contact Student Connect
• If you’re experiencing difficultly paying your fees, you may wish to Change or cancel your enrolment or Apply for a leave of absence 
• If you're unable to pay your fees by the due date, you’ll enter RMIT’s Overdue Fees and Penalties Process 
• If you are experiencing financial difficulties, there is help available. You can explore Financial support options or book an appointment with a Student Welfare Advisor as soon as possible to discuss your options
• Explore the full range of Student support services available to you.