Costs and funding
As a La Trobe student, you have access to various grants and scholarships that can help reduce the costs of studying abroad.
Studying abroad can look expensive, but with available funding options, your expenses may be lower than anticipated—or entirely covered.
Program costs
It can help to create a budget of your expenses for your overseas program. Some costs to consider are:
- Airfares
- Student visa (if required)
- Passport application fee
- Accommodation & meals
- Other living expenses including utilities
- Additional travel during or after semester
- Textbooks
- Recreational costs and spending money
- Host institution fees (if applicable – exchange students do not pay host institution tuition but there may be some administrative fees)
Grants and scholarships
| Program type | Amount |
|---|---|
| First exchange semester | $2000 |
| Second exchange semester | $500 |
| Overseas short program | $1000 |
| International placement | $1000 |
Eligibility
If you meet the eligibility requirement of your approved program and you are not eligible for New Colombo Plan (NCP) funding, you will automatically receive the mobility grant.
NOTE: The La Trobe Mobility Grant cannot be combined with a New Colombo Plan Scholarship or Grant (which are of higher value).
New Colombo Plan (NCP) scholarship
The New Colombo Plan Scholarship awards up to $87,000 to Australian undergraduate students for study and work experience opportunities across multiple locations in the Indo-Pacific region.
New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Grant
La Trobe Abroad receives funding from the Australian government for semester exchanges under the New Colombo Plan (NCP) funding scheme for select countries within the Indo-Pacific region.
La Trobe has secured 19 grants at $7,000 each for eligible students who would like to spend a semester exchange in Semester 1, 2026 in the following countries:
- Hong Kong – 3 grants
- Japan – 9 grants
- Singapore – 4 grants
- Malaysia – 3 grants
Eligibility
To be eligible for the New Colombo Plan (NCP) Mobility Grant, you must:
- Apply for a Semester Exchange in one of the selected countries.
- Be an Australian citizen enrolled at La Trobe University.
- Aged between 18 to 28 (some students over 28 may also be considered).
- Undertaking a Bachelor or Bachelor Honours degree program onshore at an Australian La Trobe University campus.
Selection criteria
Recipients will be determined based on eligibility for the La Trobe exchange program and selection criteria under the NCP Program.
Students who have a WAM higher than 70% will be prioritised.
As an Aspire Community Contribution program member, one of the benefits is extra funding when you take part in an overseas study experience. Amounts vary depending on the type of experience – see below.
The Aspire Community Contribution Grant can be combined with the La Trobe Mobility Grant, NCP Mobility Grant, and NCP Scholarship.
| Program type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Semester exchange | $1,000 |
| Overseas short program | $500 |
| International placement | $500 |
Eligibility
- Be a member of the Aspire Program.
- Students are only eligible for one Aspire Grant throughout their La Trobe degree.
How to apply
- Identify in your La Trobe Abroad online application that you are an Aspire Community Contribution program member.
As a Vice Chancellor's (VC) Excellence Scholarship recipient, one of the benefits is access to additional funding when you take part in an overseas study experience.
The Vice Chancellor’s (VC) Excellence Scholarship Grant can be combined with the La Trobe Mobility Grant, NCP Mobility Grant, and NCP Scholarship.
| Program type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Semester exchange | $1,500 |
| Overseas short program | $1,500 |
| International placement | $1,500 |
Eligibility
- Be a Vice Chancellor Excellence Scholarship recipient.
- Students are only eligible for one VC Scholarship Grant throughout their La Trobe degree.
How to apply
- Identify in your La Trobe Abroad online application that you are VC Excellence Scholarship recipient.
Other funding
Eligible students can apply for an OS-HELP Loan provided by the Australian government to support overseas study. The loan amount is added to your HELP debt.
| Program type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Overseas study not in Asia | Up to $8,245 |
| Overseas study in Asia | Up to $9,893 |
| If you are doing Asian Language Study during your exchange | A supplementary amount of up to $1,314 |
Visit the La Trobe OS Help Loan page for details, eligibility, and to apply.
You can submit an OS-HELP Loan application once you have been accepted into the La Trobe Abroad program.
If you need to follow up on the status of your application, you can submit an online query form to ASK La Trobe.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must:
- Have completed 120 credit points of study in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
- Have at least 15 credit points remaining when you return
For full eligibility details, please refer to the full requirements.
Important Notes
- Advanced standing/credits from a previous degree or external qualification must have been completed in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) to count towards the completed Equivalent Full-Time Study Load (EFSTL) requirement of 120 credit points.
- La Trobe Abroad does not administer or review OS-Help Loan processes.
- OS-HELP is only available for domestic undergraduate Commonwealth Supported Students, and some Postgraduate coursework Commonwealth Supported students..
Application dates
Semester 1 or summer break: 1 November
Semester 2 or winter break: 1 May
Applications for OS-Help loans for international placements or academic-led study tour programs will be accepted at any time but may not be reviewed immediately.
Allow up to a minimum of 6 weeks before departure for the application to be assessed.
If you currently receive Centrelink payments, then you may be able to receive this payment while overseas on a La Trobe-approved program. Please consult with Centrelink for further information.
Centrelink letter requests
Centrelink may request a letter from La Trobe University confirming your enrolment in an approved overseas program.
- For semester abroad students: You can use your GECA letter, which you'll receive once your credit transfer application is approved by La Trobe.
- For overseas short programs or international placements: You can request a letter from La Trobe Abroad.
All students (both domestic and international) are covered by La Trobe University’s insurance. See La Trobe Travel Insurance for full details.
NOTE: Limited cover applies to students travelling to their country of residence. For more information, see the Travel to Country of Residence Policy [PDF 371.4 KB].
All scholarships and grants are subject to change, subject to availability of La Trobe University and La Trobe Abroad funding. All amounts are in AUD unless otherwise specified. La Trobe University does not award mobility grants and scholarships to students retrospectively.
Contact us
We’re here to help. If you have questions, contact the La Trobe Abroad team.