Information about how to finance your global experience through scholarships, grants, OS-HELP loans, continuing Centrelink payments and costs and budgeting while you’re overseas.
RMIT has a range of funding options for students, including grants and scholarships worth up to $10,000.
You may qualify for one funding opportunity per global experience, and will be considered for all possible options. Please be aware that due to quotas and eligibility, we cannot guarantee that you will be eligible for financial assistance.
See below for details of funding options available and how to apply (if an application is required).
Planning your finances is an important part of preparing for your global experience. You'll need to pay for all living expenses, such as accommodation, travel and food.
Living costs vary according to your destination and length of your global experience, so it’s important to prepare a budget. Be sure to check costs and inclusions for the program you're applying for in order to plan your budget.
Amount
Between $500 - $1,000 per student.
Eligibility
Eligibility is generally defined as students who are not eligible for any other form of Global Experience funding.
How to apply
There is no application form for Global Experience grants. If there is funding available and you are eligible you will be contacted by Global Experiences with an offer.
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is an initiative of the Australian government which aims to increase knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian students to participate in semester-based or short-term study, internships, mentorships, practicums and research in 40 host locations across the Indo-Pacific region.
NCP Mobility grants (different to NCP Scholarships – see below) are the most common form of NCP funding and support both short-term and semester-based global experiences. Mobility grants are available for specific projects selected by the Australian Government, so check the program description on Mobi to find out if there is NCP funding available for the project you are interested in.
Amount
Eligibility
If there are NCP grants available for a project, students must meet the following requirements to be eligible:
How to apply
There is no application required for NCP mobility grants. If there is funding available for the mobility project you are participating in, and you are eligible, you will be contacted by Global Experiences with an offer by email. Before you accept a grant or scholarship, view the RMIT Funding Terms and Conditions (see below).
Further Information
The New Colombo Plan (NCP) is an initiative of the Australian government which aims to increase knowledge of the Indo-Pacific in Australia by supporting Australian students to participate in semester-based or short-term study, internships, mentorships, practicums and research in 40 host locations across the Indo-Pacific region.
The New Colombo Plan Scholarship Program offers competitive scholarships to Australian students each year and supports study and internship experiences in Indo-Pacific locations.
Amount
Up to $15,000 per semester, plus additional allowances.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the NCP scholarship program, you must meet the following requirements:
*Note: The definition of ‘undergraduate courses’ for this purpose is as defined by the Higher Education Administrative Information for Providers.
How to apply
Students who meet the eligibility criteria will be invited by RMIT to apply for an NCP scholarship (usually towards the end of semester one each year). Before you accept a grant or scholarship, view the RMIT Funding Terms and Conditions (see below).
The Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarship offers Australian students an international experience to help develop their cross-cultural thinking and leadership skills, as well as access to networking opportunities with Australia-Asia thought leaders. The scholarship is designed to forge meaningful relationships between the next generation of Australian and Asian leaders.
Amount and number of scholarships available
Each scholarship is valued at $12,700. Approximately 35 scholarships are awarded annually to undergraduates from 14 partner universities to undertake a university-approved exchange program in Asia for one to two semesters. Current exchange locations include mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan (pending no travel restrictions).
Eligibility
To be eligible for this scholarship, you must:
How to apply
Applications for the 2025 Westpac Asian Exchange Scholarships are now open. Eligible students who have applied for an exchange program for 2025 will be invited to apply.
Key Dates
Date | Event or Deadline |
Wednesday 2 October 2024 | 2025 applications open |
Wednesday 6 November 2024, 5pm AEDT. | Online information session |
Monday 2 December 2024, 5pm AEDT | 2025 applications close |
4-19 December 2024 | University shortlisting |
11-13 February 2025 | National selection panel assessment period |
March 2025 | Notification of outcome |
7-8 April 2025 | Scholars summit |
Equity Travel Grants are financial assistance for Australian students on a global experience who can demonstrate financial and educational disadvantage.
Amount
The grant provides up to $3500, depending on your program and destination.
RMIT is fortunate to maintain relationships with a range of generous philanthropic donors who are committed to supporting RMIT students to participate global experiences. Please see below for philanthropic funding available.
Note: Australian citizenship is a requirement to be eligible for most philanthropic funding.
Amount and eligibility
The Storey Scholarship pays AUD $10,000 as a one-off payment to 3 students per semester.
Selection criteria
Scholarships will be awarded based on:
How to apply
For more information and to apply for a Storey Scholarship, please refer to the instructions and application form on Mobi.
23 November 2023: Ma Kam Ming grants are currently unavailable and under review.
Amount and eligibility: Up to $15,000 each year. Available to support students participating in global experience programs in China.
How to apply: No application required. This funding will be allocated to relevant projects. Check Mobi to see if there is funding allocated to the project you are participating in and any specific eligibility requirements.
Amount and eligibility: $7,000 each year to support one student studying interior design.
How to apply: Selection is based on academic performance and equity. Eligible students will be contacted directly to apply.
Amount and eligibility: Up to $9,000 each year available to support students participating in global experience projects related to social impact.
How to apply: No application required. This funding will be allocated to relevant projects. Check Mobi to see if there is funding allocated to the project you are participating in and any specific eligibility requirements.
Amount and eligibility: Each year, $8,000 is available to support one undergraduate or postgraduate student in Industrial Design, Architecture, or Fashion. The award alternates yearly among these disciplines. The selected student will participate in a semester exchange program in Milan, Italy.
How to apply: Selection is based on academic performance. Eligible students will be contacted directly to apply.
Amount and eligibility: $1,400 each year to support one undergraduate or postgraduate landscape architecture student participating in a global experience.
How to apply: Selection is based on academic performance and equity. Eligible students will be contacted directly to apply.
Before you accept a grant or scholarship, view the RMIT Funding Terms and Conditions (see below).
RMIT sometimes has funding available through Destination Australia and the Cheung Kong Group to support outbound students participating in exchange programs in Asia, and inbound students studying at RMIT in Melbourne from Asia. The amount of funding available changes each year.
Eligibility: To be considered for funding through Destination Australia – Cheung Kong, you must:
How to apply: Eligible students will be invited to apply. Eligibility changes each round and is dependent on priority locations of Cheung Kong Group.
Speak to your RMIT Program Coordinator to find out about any funding that may be available specific to your academic area.
There are also funding opportunities available through external providers, including but not limited to:
Above are the external grant opportunities. RMIT does not administer this funding. Please apply directly to the relevant grants.
The Erasmus+ Programme is a European funding programme established in 1987, designed to support university students studying abroad in Europe.
Amount and eligibility: Dependent on individual partner institutions and subject to change annually; can include monthly stipends and/or travel payments. Only applicable to students allocated to a European partner institution with Erasmus+ availability for RMIT in the relevant academic year.
How to apply: Eligible students will be contacted directly to apply. Selection is based on host institution allocation, Erasmus+ funding availability, and academic performance.
Overseas Student HELP loans (OS-HELP) are provided by the Commonwealth government to eligible HECS-HELP students undertaking various international experiences for credit. This loan is added to your HECS-HELP debt.
Value and duration
In 2025, the maximum you can borrow for a six-month study period is:
Eligibility
To be eligible for this loan, you must:
Full-time load whilst overseas
To meet this eligibility criteria a full-time load is calculated by a formula that takes account of both the credit points and the length of time of the overseas study. Travel dates to and from the study program are not included in the calculation. In general, the following are regarded as full-time study loads for OS-HELP:
Asian language supplement loan
A supplementary OS-HELP loan is available to assist with the cost of language study undertaken in preparation for overseas mobility activity in Asia (in addition to the overseas program). This study must be additional and relevant to the mobility program, not part of a student’s current RMIT award and taken at an appropriate level. The study can be taken at any institution, domestic or abroad and must be taken prior to starting the mobility program/activity. (Note: a supplementary loan amount is considered as part of an OS-HELP loan for overseas study and does not count towards the lifetime maximum of two OS-HELP loans).
Evidence such as receipts, enrolment records, or results must be supplied when you receive your offer.
How to apply
To apply, complete the OS-HELP Application Form through Mobi.
Note: you must be accepted in Mobi for your overseas mobility activity before payment is made. All information, including frequently asked questions, is provided through the link above.
Application deadline
You can apply any time. It is highly recommended that students apply for OS-HELP at least 4 weeks before the overseas mobility activity start date. Note that payment can be made a maximum of 6 months prior to your program start date.
Students cannot apply for an OS-HELP loan after they have finished their overseas mobility activity. However, an application is still possible whilst you are undertaking your overseas mobility activity, and loan approval will be dependent on current processing times.
You must complete all required steps outlined in your offer email to receive your loan prior to the completion of your mobility activity. If you have not completed all three steps once your activity is complete, your application will be automatically declined.
Terms and conditions
Your OS-HELP loan is added to your HELP debt. See Study Assist: OS-HELP loans and overseas study.
If you are currently receiving Youth Allowance you may be able to continue to receive payments while studying overseas. If you undertake a short-term or semester-based program and are studying the equivalent of a full-time load while overseas, you should make an appointment with Centrelink to discuss your plans.
The Global Experience team will be able to support your discussion with Centrelink by providing you with a Mobility Confirmation letter. Please contact your Global Experience Advisor for more information.
Find out more about continuing your Centrelink support while overseas:
Each funding type has specific terms and conditions. Please read the Global Experience Ambassador Requirements (see below), as well as the type of scholarship or grant you have been offered to see the specific terms and conditions that apply. Contact global.funding@rmit.edu.au if you have any questions or require clarification.
All RMIT students who receive a grant or scholarship to support their Global Experience are required to act as responsible RMIT Global Experience Ambassadors. Requirements and conditions are as follows:
Share your content
Share your content through social media using the following hashtags: #RMITGlobal, #Outbound, #NewColomboPlan and #ncp (if applicable) and #RMITVietnam (if applicable).
Guidelines for blog posts
Guidelines for images and video
In addition to the Global Experience Ambassador Requirements, the terms and conditions outlined below also apply.
By accepting New Colombo Plan funding I acknowledge that I am obliged to fulfil the conditions under which the grant is awarded, and I will be personally liable to repay the funds in full should I fail to comply with these conditions.
I declare that I understand the following:
Payment
I will be paid the funds into my Australian bank account and the funds received will be used to meet the costs incurred during my mobility activity. Payment will be made within a few days of the payment schedule date as outlined on my scholarship offer in Enrolment Online, as long as I have provided my updated bank details.
Conditions
New Colombo Plan Guidelines as outlined by DFAT can be found here:
Privacy
In order to assess your application to participate in the New Colombo Plan (Program), RMIT collects personal information including, but not limited to, your name, your contact details including (residential address, phone number and email), sensitive information including health information, your passport and travel details as well as declarations regarding your financial ability to participate in the Program. If you do not provide this information, in whole or in part, we may not be able to provide you with a funding grant. RMIT may use your information to:
Some of your personal information will be provided to third parties including overseas recipients, including, but not limited to, your Host University and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Information will only be used for purposes related to your application for participation or subsequent participation in your specified program/s. DFAT will only use personal information for the purposes outlined in the New Colombo Plan Mobility Program Guidelines (Section 13). Where personal information is provided to overseas recipients the overseas recipient may not be bound by Australian privacy legislation and/or subject to any privacy obligations. In such circumstances, DFAT is not be accountable under the Privacy Act should the overseas recipient breach Australian Privacy Principles. More information regarding the way in which the Home University, DFAT will manage your personal information, including full privacy policies and contact details, can be obtained here, education.gov.au/privacy and dfat.gov.au/privacy or by requesting a copy from the relevant organisation.
In addition to the Global Experience Ambassador Requirements, the terms and conditions outlined below also apply.
In accepting this grant, I acknowledge that I am obliged to fulfil the conditions under which the grant is awarded, and I will be personally liable to repay the funds in full should I fail to comply with these conditions.
I declare that I understand the following:
Eligibility
Student is not eligible to receive more than one student grant or scholarship for the same activity from RMIT or the same source.
Payment
I will be paid the funds into my Australian bank account and the funds received will be used to meet the costs incurred during my mobility activity. Payment will be made within a few days of the payment schedule date as outlined on my scholarship offer in Enrolment Online, if I have provided my updated bank details.
Non-Completion of Global Experience
If for any reason I am unable to participate in the Global Experience, even if the program has commenced, I will repay the award within four weeks of notifying the Global Experiences team of my circumstances. I will provide a written account of the reasons for the non-completion to Global Experiences as soon as the activity is terminated.
Please provide your written account to the Global Experience team by lodging a ticket through the Student Connect Student Service and Support Portal.
Reporting
I will complete any reporting requirements within a reasonable timeframe, if and as requested by Global Experiences.
Privacy
I understand that my personal information is collected for the purpose of determining my eligibility to receive the funds. Disclosure of my personal information may be made to the Department of Education as required by law, and to the RMIT Finance area to facilitate payment of my funds. I also understand that the privacy of my personal information will be protected in accordance with the RMIT Privacy Policy. Further information on privacy at RMIT is available here. I have read and understood the information above, and I confirm that I accept the conditions and obligations outlined.
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.