La Trobe Humanitarian Scholarship supports refugees and people seeking asylum to undertake face-to-face undergraduate study, providing a cost-of-living payment and, for eligible international applicants, tuition coverage. The scholarship has distinct domestic and international streams with different application periods and visa requirements.
The scholarship is offered by La Trobe University and targets students enrolling in Semester 1, 2027. La Trobe administers selection, payment timing, ongoing obligations, and provides details on eligibility, application portals and contact information via its Scholarships Office.
La Trobe Humanitarian Scholarship Benefits
- Domestic:$5000 per annum cost-of-living scholarship.
- The scholarship is available for the normal duration of the degree.
La Trobe Humanitarian Scholarship Eligibility Criteria
- Be deemed as a person seeking asylum or a refugee holding a Resolution of Status (RoS) visa (subclass 851), Permanant Protection/Humanitarian visas 200, 201, 202, 203 and 204
- Successfully receive a course offer via VTAC and enrol in Semester 1 2027 as a full-time student in an undergraduate degree*
- Be residing in Australia (for International stream)
- Submit an application using the online application form which will be made available 12 October 2026 – 6 December 2026 (for International stream)
- Be deemed as a person seeking asylum or a refugee holding one of the following: Temporary Protection Visa (TPV) (V785), Temporary Humanitarian Stay visa (Subclass 449), Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa (Subclass 786), Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV) (V790), anyone on a bridging visa who has applied for a Permanent Protection visa (subclass 866), or Bridging Visa E (BVE) (subclass 050)
- Enrolled in Semester 1 2027 as a full-time student in an undergraduate degree offered by La Trobe University*
- * Students enrolled in Open Universities Australia, third-party providers and online courses are not eligible.
How to Apply for La Trobe Humanitarian Scholarship?
- Domestic students: Submit an application via the VTAC Schemes and Scholarships application portal. Applications close 9 October 2026 at 5pm.
- International students: An online application form will be made available on 12 October 2026. Scholarship applications will not be assessed until a course offer is confirmed.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the La Trobe Humanitarian Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, selection and how to apply.
What does the La Trobe Humanitarian Scholarship provide?
The La Trobe Humanitarian Scholarship provides different support depending on the stream. The domestic scholarship provides an AUD $5000 per annum cost-of-living payment for the normal duration of the degree. The international scholarship covers 100% of tuition fees and includes an AUD $5000 per annum cost-of-living payment for the normal duration of the degree.
Who is eligible for the domestic scholarship?
Domestic eligibility requires applicants to be deemed a person seeking asylum or a refugee holding a Resolution of Status (RoS) visa (subclass 851) or Permanent Protection/Humanitarian visas 200, 201, 202, 203 or 204. Applicants must receive a course offer via VTAC and enrol in Semester 1, 2027 as a full-time undergraduate student at La Trobe University.
Who is eligible for the international scholarship?
International eligibility requires applicants to be residing in Australia and deemed a person seeking asylum or refugee holding specified temporary or bridging visas (including TPV V785, Subclass 449, Subclass 786, SHEV V790, bridging visa with applied Permanent Protection subclass 866, or BVE subclass 050). Applicants must enrol in Semester 1, 2027 as a full-time undergraduate student at La Trobe University.
When are applications open and what are the deadlines?
The page shows an opening date of 06/08/2026 and a closing date of 09/10/2026. Specifically, domestic applications close 9 October 2026 at 5pm via VTAC. International applications for 2027 will open 12 October 2026 and be available until 6 December 2026 according to the page.
How are scholarship payments made?
Scholarship payments are made post census in Semester 1 and Semester 2. The scholarship details state ‘How is it paid? Post census Semester 1 and 2’, indicating payments are distributed after census dates in each semester for recipients.
Can I apply if I study part-time or defer?
The scholarship is available for both full-time and part-time study where part-time study is approved by La Trobe University. However, you are not able to defer an offer of a scholarship. If you decide not to enrol or discontinue your course after the scholarship is awarded, the scholarship will be withdrawn.
What are the recipient selection criteria?
Recipients are selected by the University based on completion of the online scholarship application form and successfully receiving a course offer and enrolling in Semester 1, 2027 as a full-time student in an undergraduate degree. The University administers selection and award decisions.
What obligations do scholarship recipients have?
Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress each semester. The scholarship will be terminated if recipients cease to meet eligibility or ongoing requirements, complete the full value paid for the maximum period allowed, fail to resume study after leave, or are found to have committed serious academic or general misconduct.
Are online and third-party courses eligible?
No. The page explicitly notes that students enrolled in Open Universities Australia, third-party providers and online courses are not eligible for the scholarship. Eligible students must enrol in an undergraduate degree offered directly by La Trobe University.
Who can I contact for more information?
For further information contact the Scholarships Office at La Trobe University via email: [email protected]. The scholarship page also provides application portals and specific instruction for domestic and international applicants.
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