Sponsored Students

RMIT currently has over 1000 sponsored students, sponsored by more than 70 organisations from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Libya, Malaysia, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, and Vietnam. They are enrolled in a wide range programs in all study levels.

Definition of a sponsored student

RMIT classifies a sponsored student as:

• Tuition fees are paid by an external organisation (not an individual), such as a government agency, large organisation or overseas university 
• RMIT invoices the sponsor organisation for tuition fees, OSHC and administration fees 
• The sponsor provides an individual Financial Guarantee to RMIT for each student, forming a contract for the payment of fees
• RMIT's Sponsorship Development Team provide academic monitoring reports to the Sponsor for each study period

Application process

There are some important requirements for sponsored students to be aware of.

Sponsored students follow the same process to Apply to RMIT as other International students. 

To accept your offer:

1. Log-in to iApply to download your Offer response form. Sponsored students can not accept online. 

For more information and help with using iApply visit the Accept your offer page. 

Please indicate on the Offer response form:

• whether you or your sponsor will pay for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• whether you would like Single or Family cover to be arranged. If your sponsor only covers Single cover and you want Family cover, you will be required to pay the difference.

2. Attach a letter from your Sponsor confirming that they will pay your tuition fees to RMIT University.

The Financial Guarantee should be on the sponsoring organisation’s letterhead and should include:

• University’s name (i.e. RMIT University)
• Student’s name (and preferably student number)
• Program name
• Duration of sponsorship
• Details of entitlements (i.e. tuition fees, Student Services and Amenities fees (SSAF) and Overseas Student Health Cover (single or family)
• Name and contact details for invoicing
• Name and contact details for academic reports (if different)
• Signed and dated by an authorised representative

3. Submit the Offer Acceptance Form and a Financial Guarantee from your Sponsor to ISscholarships@rmit.edu.au.

4. Make sure you are aware of our refunds policy.

Payment of fees

Sponsors are only invoiced for tuition fees, Student Services and Amenities fees (SSAF) and Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Students will need to pay fees for materials, fines, late enrolment or excursions.

Invoices are sent directly to the sponsor twice a year, in April and September. Sponsors will pay RMIT University directly.

Students should note that if their sponsorship does not cover the full amount of tuition fees they will be required to pay any ‘gap payment’.

Some sponsors provide funds directly to students. If you are receiving funds directly from your sponsor towards your tuition fees, you will need to inform ISscholarships@rmit.edu.au and pay your fees on receipt of an invoice from RMIT.

Academic performance requirements

Sponsored students are required to meet certain academic standards during their studies. Not meeting these standards can affect your student visa. RMIT reports on your academic progress to your sponsor. 

The Sponsorships Development Team can help you to access tutorial assistance to help you maintain academic progress. Some sponsors (including DFAT) will help pay for tutorial assistance.

To find out more see the Academic performance requirements web page.

Making changes to your study

Changes to your studies can affect your student visa and your sponsorship. As a sponsored student you need to inform and seek your sponsor’s approval to:

• change programs
• take a leave of absence
• request an extension and renew your student visa if you do not complete your program by the original date
• cancel your enrolment at RMIT and transfer to another education provider

For more information visit the Visa conditions webpage or contact the Sponsorship Development Team.