Five ways to financially support yourself while you study

Five ways to financially support yourself while you study

From scholarships and student support to part-time university student jobs, there are lots of ways to financially support yourself while studying.

The cost of living as a university student isn’t as daunting as you might think, especially when you’re in the know. There are plenty of ways to make sure you are supported and in a good position while you study at RMIT.  

Supporting yourself financially isn’t always about getting paid; it can also be about saving where you can. Here are just a few of the ways that you can support yourself financially or ease your cost of living as an RMIT student. 

Four RMIT students sitting at a table looking at a laptop

#1: Explore and apply for RMIT scholarships

RMIT awards more than 2,000 scholarships every year, so why not explore if there’s one that’s right for you? 

There are loads of scholarships for every kind of student, even those facing unique circumstances and financial barriers. For example, the Cedar Pacific UniLodge Melbourne CBD Accommodation Scholarship helps eligible students relocate to Melbourne with a rental subsidy worth up to $13,754. So, if you’re living in regional Victoria or interstate, and you’ve got your eye on RMIT, this could be your ticket. 

There’s also the Dylan Alcott Foundation Scholarship for students with a disability, long-term medical or neurodiverse condition that impacts their study. Another is the Evelyn Boekemann Scholarship specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying a certificate IV,  diploma or advanced diploma. 

Jump in now and have a look at what’s on offer – it’ll only take a couple of minutes, and it could make all the difference. 

Explore scholarships

#2: Make the most of the student events and discounts 

RMIT student organisations, such as Kirrip and RUSU, run free events all year that’ll help you save on food and entertainment. They host everything from cookouts to crafternoons sessions, and you won’t even have to open your wallet.  

You won’t want to miss the weekly food events that RUSU puts on during the semester. Who needs to get take-away between classes when you could score breakfast in the morning, then a sausage or vegan burger for lunch. The best part is that it’s all free! 

Another way to save is by taking advantage of the exclusive discounts offered to university students. 

StudentEdge and UNiDAYS are just two examples of the many online platforms that offer student benefits such as discounted movie tickets and retail discounts. It’s easier than you’d think: all you need to do is sign up with your student email. 

Students taking part in a plant pot painting session as part of an RMIT club

#3: Discover employment on or near campus

If you’re interested in pursuing casual or part-time work, there’s no better place to do it than at the campus itself.  

Working on-campus is an excellent option if you’re looking to earn a bit of extra money, especially if you don’t have the means to get across Melbourne. Having your classroom right next door to your work is the best of both worlds. But don’t just take our word for it! Student Connect concierge and current student, Zac Wijesinha, said that working at RMIT has done way more than provide financial support, it’s also been a rewarding experience all round. 

RMIT international students walking and talking on Swanston St
“I’m gaining valuable skills in communication, problem-solving, and creativity that directly complement my Industrial Design degree. These opportunities allow me to connect with the RMIT community, represent the university in regional areas, and contribute to meaningful projects, all while balancing my studies.” 

Each of RMIT’s campuses have businesses that operate within them. Some examples from the City campus include the RMIT Library, cafés like The Bean Project, food venues like the Oxford Scholar or Streat, and even the RMIT campus store. We’ve even got resources to make searching for a job on campus easy. If you like the idea of working near your classrooms, but want more options, each of our campuses is surrounded by businesses that might pique your interest. 

Did you know that now is an excellent time to find a casual or part-time job in retail and food services? They are amongst the top industries for projected growth in Melbourne over the coming years1. 

As an international student in Melbourne, you get a casual or part-time job in the field you’re studying, or something entirely separate, such as a retail job. You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight whilst studying, and unlimited hours during university holidays2.

Learn more

#4: Take advantage of RMIT’s Career Connect 

Career Connect is RMIT’s one-stop shop for everything to do with jobs. There’s a lot that Career Connect can do for you, from giving you career guidance to providing job interview practice. They are a great resource to use if you need help finding casual or part-time work. 

The helpful staff at Career Connect manage an online platform full of job listings fit for current students. If you’re more interested in browsing in-person, there’s a physical job board at the City campus in Building 8. 

If you want to find out more about Career Connect check out this article about how to set up your career while you study. 

#5: Check out these resources 

There are loads of financial support and resources designed to make sure that uni students always have help. Here are just a couple that might be useful: 

  • Budget planning 

If you want help maintaining and tracking your spending, a budget planner could make all the difference. Moneysmart’s budget tools are safe and reliable. These tools are a government initiative and perfect for keeping track of your expenses. 

  • Student income support 

In addition to student fee assistance like HECS/HELP loans, the Australian Government has several student income support programs. One of these is the Tertiary Access Payment, a one-off payment of $5,000, definitely check this one out if you’re moving to Melbourne from a regional area! 

  • Student Emergency Funds 

Rest assured knowing that there are resources that students can access in case of emergencies. Study Melbourne offers food and accommodation assistance if students are ever in need. They’ve got a number of resources to help, no matter the circumstance. 

For an emergency situation, RMIT has the Student Hardship Assistance Grant. It’s a short-term, one-off form of assistance that can supply eligible students with supply vouchers or cash grants. 

We hope these tools and support give you the peace of mind to focus on your passions and interests during your study journey.   

Story: Jacob Johnston

 

References

1Victorian Government. ‘Future job growth in central Melbourne’. https://www.vic.gov.au/future-job-growth-central-melbourne. Accessed August 2025.

2Study Melbourne. "Work while you Study".  https://studymelbourne.vic.gov.au/working/work-while-you-study. Accessed August 2025.

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