The RYR Tolentino Family Scholarship (Scholarship) has been developed to support students from refugee backgrounds or recent migrants, who are experiencing financial or personal hardships, to access and succeed in tertiary education. 

Coming from a disadvantaged background in the Philippines, Dr Russell Tolentino experienced how education can create opportunity and transform life trajectories. The scholarship aims to help students from refugee backgrounds or recent migrants who are facing significant barriers to accessing higher education, with a vision to foster hope and opportunity for future generations. Dr Russell Tolentino's commitment is inspired by his personal experience and a desire to give back to the community, showing his children and others that even with modest resources, it is possible to make a meaningful difference.

• Future Students

• Centre for Aboriginal Studies
• Faculty of Business and Law
• Faculty of Health Sciences
• Faculty of Humanities
• Faculty of Science & Engineering
  • Science courses
  • Engineering courses
  • Western Australian School of Mines (WASM)

• Undergraduate

• Students from regional or remote areas

• Australian Citizen
• Australian Permanent Resident
• New Zealand Citizen
• Permanent Humanitarian Visa

• Need Based

The Scholarship will provide the following support (based on a full-time study load of 75 credits):

• A one-off cash payment of $1,000. The amount can be used at the student's discretion to contribute towards educational-related expenses.

• All undergraduate degrees

Double degrees are considered.

Applicants must meet all of the following criteria to be considered eligible to apply for the Scholarship:

• Australian or New Zealand citizen, Australian permanent resident, Permanent Humanitarian visa
• Refugee and/or *recent migrant background
• Selected Curtin University as a first preference through TISC by the scholarship’s closing date to undertake an eligible course in 2027
• Receive an eligible course offer at Curtin University for Semester 1, 2027 in main round course offers
• Accept course offer by offer lapse date
• Experiencing financial hardship and low socio-economic background and

Please note:

*For the purpose of this Scholarship, recent migration is defined as arrival in Australia within the last (5) years. 

**Preference will be given to applicants who are a refugee and from regional/remote area of Western Australia

Step 1: Access online application form

• Applications are to be submitted using the online application form. Access the form by clicking on the ‘Apply Online’ button on the top right-hand side of this page
• Please note that this link will direct you to the general "Equity Scholarship Program" application form. Once you submit your application, you will be considered for all equity scholarships that you are eligible for in this round.
• Please note that this link will direct you to the general "Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarship Program" application form. Once you submit your application, you will be considered for all scholarships that you are eligible for in this round.

Step 2: Complete

• Complete the application form online
• Application form can be saved at any point of the process
• Tips on how to complete your application can be found under the Applying for scholarships link on the scholarships website.

Step 3: Submit

• Closing date is listed at the top of the page and within the Scholarships Channel on OASIS
• Incomplete applications will not be assessed
• Once submitted, application status will change to submitted.

Step 4: Receipt

• Application receipt will be sent to the email address provided when you created your Curtin account, once your application has been submitted.

Step 5: Assessment

• Applications will be assessed by an assessment panel using the following criteria:
  • Receipt of an offer of a place into an eligible course offer at Curtin University for Semester 1, 2027 in main round course offers
  • Responses to questions in application form
  • **Refugee and/or recent migrant background
  • Demonstrated financial hardship and low socio-economic background

**Preference will be given to applicants who are a refugee and from regional/remote area of Western Australia

Step 6: Outcome

• Outcome will be sent via the email address listed through TISC or your direct Curtin course application after main round course offers (all successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified)
• Students cannot receive more than one offer of a scholarship if they are from the same funding source or for the same purpose.

Step 7: Acceptance

• Successful applicants must return acceptance documents by the deadline stipulated in the terms and conditions
• Deferral of this scholarship is not permitted

Please note:

• Scholarship will be awarded if there are applicants of sufficient need
• Scholarship will commence from first semester of study
• Scholarship is not transferable to another university

Scholarships Office

E: scholarships@curtin.edu.au

T: 1300 222 888

Visit our Frequently Asked Questions

For further information about applying for scholarships including important dates and tips for preparing your application, utilise the resources available on the Applying for Scholarships webpage.