Scholarships (Financial assistance)

Go back to refugee and asylum seeker landing homepage.

If at any step you need assistance in completing your application, please contact VTAC for help. You can call us at (03) 9926 1020 or e-mail us through your VTAC account.

Tips for applying for scholarships:

  1. Think about what courses you are interested in
  2. Understand the scholarships that are offered through institutions you are interested in
  3. Remember, some scholarships are offered through VTAC, many others are offered through a direct application
  4. Direct scholarships applications may have different opening and closing dates
  5. Understand eligibility criteria for each scholarship, then apply for the scholarships you are eligible for
  6. Don't leave your scholarships application until the last minute!

What is a scholarship?

A scholarship in an amount of money (a grant) that is given by a school, institution or organisation to support a student's education and studies. 

Both permanent residents and temporary humanitarian visa holders can apply for scholarships. 

Some institutions offer scholarships that are specific for Refugee and Asylum Seeker applicants. There are also scholarships for financial circumstances and other equity areas, community involvement and leadership experience, and academic merit.

As all temporary visa subclasses do not qualify for HECS, it is important to research and apply to available scholarships. 

You can research available scholarships at the following resources:

  • Refugee Education - has a helpful list of the scholarships institutions make available for people seeking asylum and refugees who hold temporary visas. 
  • Eduweb scholarships - a list of scholarships offered by government, community and business organisations.
  • Scholarships through VTAC - scholarships available to be applied for through your VTAC application.
  • Institution scholarships - scholarships available through institutions. You will need to apply directly to the institution for these scholarships to be eligible to receive one. 

Applying for scholarships through VTAC

If you are applying for scholarships through VTAC, follow these steps:

  • Create a VTAC account and submit a course application where you add the courses you are wanting to study. You will need to provide the date printed on your visa and the visa subclass when you create your VTAC account. 
  • Apply for Equity schemes (SEAS) and scholarships
  • When you submit your scholarship application:
    • Provide the additional personal details that are requested
    • Answer questions about financial situation – if you or your parents/guardians receive Centrelink payments you can provide this information in that part of the application
    • Answer questions about personal history and experiences including any medical conditions or disability – please note that question 3 relates to refugees and seeking asylum (if you tick "yes", you must answer question 3.1 and provide a scanned copy of your visa in the supporting document section of your VTAC account)