Refugee support and low income

For information on special entry schemes and ways to get a place at University go to Pathways to La Trobe.

The Equality and Diversity Centre at La Trobe University offers a support program for students who have a refugee background, who have a Permanent Humanitarian Visa or Australian Citizenship.

What type of support is available to students?

  • A Refugee Contact Officer on each campus
  • Assistance applying for a place at La Trobe University
  • Provision of a laptop computer if required
  • Financial assistance in the form of textbook gift cards or transport tickets
  • Provision of personal tutors if required
  • La Trobe University Access Scholarships for commencing students
  • Residential scholarships
    • commencing students (PDF 229KB) (DOC 118KB)
    • continuing students (PDF 174KB) (DOC107KB)
  • Student profiles
  • Choosing a course

How do I get offered a place at University?

Because you have a refugee background, you may be eligible to apply through a Special Entry and Access Scheme to gain a place at University.

How much will uni cost?

The course fees vary depending on the type of course you want to do and the units you take within that course. View the Student Contributions page, where you will find the approximate cost for one year’s full-time study, for different types of courses. For more cost details of the course you wish to study, contact the Refugee Contact Person on the campus where you wish to study.

How do I pay for my University course?

You may be eligible to defer your fee payments via HECS-Help until after you have graduated and secured a job with good pay.

You do have to survive while you are studying, so you may have to work in the four months of University breaks and save money to live on. You may also want to think about studying part-time and working part-time. You may be eligible for Centrelink payments while you study if you have a full-time study load (which mean studying three or four subjects each semester). Contact Centrelink for more information.

Who should I contact?

There is a Refugee Contact Officer at each campus of La Trobe University. They can help you to understand the way things are done at an Australian university, and provide you with some financial assistance. They can also help you to apply for a place and a scholarship at La Trobe University.