Applications for a 2026 RAS Foundation Rural Scholarship open on Tuesday 1 July 2025 and will close on Monday 20 October 2025.

The scholarships are not awarded on academic merit; however, it is a requirement that scholarship recipients complete their studies for their nominated subjects and pass their course. As part of the scholarship, progress reports along with academic transcripts are to be submitted twice a year.

No. You can be studying at college or TAFE as well as university.

Yes, you are still eligible to be considered for a scholarship if you are studying part-time. A part-time scholarship is valued at up to $3,000 payable over 3 instalments.

Yes, you are still eligible to be considered for a scholarship if you are studying via distance.

Scholarships of up to $7,000 are available for full-time students and up to $3,500 for part-time students. The scholarships are paid in three instalments throughout the year, with the first instalment paid in April of each year.

That’s OK, you can apply for a RASF scholarship anyway, but you will need to indicate your chosen area/s of study.

No, you do not have to attend an interview in Sydney as part of the scholarship assessment process. Interviews are conducted via phone or zoom video conferencing.

Course fees are those that are related to your studies for your nominated course that you are unable/have opted not to pay for via a HELP-HECS loan or VET Student Loan (VSL).

Relocation fees are one-off costs that you may incur when relocating from home to university or college. Examples of these types of costs are:

• transportation of your belongings to campus
• purchase of furniture if moving into unfurnished accommodation
• bond for rental accommodation

Relocation fees are not your rent or bills for shared housing or board and lodging fees for on-campus accommodation, even if you are required to pay these costs in advance. Costs associated with rent or board and lodging should be included in your weekly expenses.

These are costs that you may incur if you are required to temporarily relocate to participate in practical placements for your course. These may include additional transportation costs and accommodation costs.

You will need to average your income out on a weekly basis. For example, if you are only able to work during your holidays, please total your expected income for the year and average it out on a weekly basis rather than entering the weekly amount you receive during the weeks when you are able to work.

You will need to make an estimate of your expected costs. Visit the website of your university or college to look at the range of accommodation options on offer to assist with your budget

Please email us at rfoundation@rasnsw.com.au if you have any other questions regarding the RAS Foundation Rural Scholarships or the application process.