Residential Scholarships at DRS

Deakin Residential Services is an inclusive, supportive and friendly place to live during your studies. You can enjoy the vibrancy and diversity of our residential community while taking advantage of our fantastic facilities.

We are delighted to offer scholarships for our beautiful Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds and Geelong Waterfront campuses. Students interested in scholarships for Warrnambool should refer to the Deakin Warrnambool Residential Scholarships page.

These scholarships are funded through the Needs Based Funding (NBF) program and are designed to ensure on‑campus accommodation is accessible to a wide range of students. Scholarships can cover up to $15,000 of the cost of on‑campus accommodation throughout the year.*

Who is eligible?

This scholarship is open to domestic students who meet one of the following:

• Undergraduate students from a low socio-economic background

• Undergraduate students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

• Postgraduate students who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

How to apply

Applying is simple. Deakin’s scholarship process is designed as a one‑stop shop - there’s no separate Residential Scholarship application.

When completing your main Deakin scholarship application, simply indicate that you’re interested in living on Res. You’ll then be automatically considered for a Residential Scholarship.

Scholarship outcomes are typically released from late February to early March. To secure your place in our residential community, you may need to accept your accommodation offer and pay the first two months’ rent before scholarship outcomes are finalised. If you’re successful, this amount is refunded, making it a worthwhile step toward an unforgettable on‑campus experience.

Hear from a scholarship recipient

Sounds like a great opportunity? We spoke with Oliver, a Burwood resident, about what receiving a Residential Scholarship has meant for him: 

“Given that my course (Bachelor of Business/Sport Management) was Melbourne-based, I had to get a place on Res. Coming from the country, it was a big move to the city. It definitely forces you out of your comfort zone, but it helped me grow as a person and meet so many new people. Lots of residents are international students, so I found it really cool to learn about different cultures and lifestyles, especially coming from an area that lacks a lot of international diversity. Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

This scholarship is vital as it allows me to concentrate solely on my coursework instead of worrying about the financial side of things. Things are tough with the cost of living, so this scholarship helps relieve those pressures.

Oliver

When asked what advice he would give to prospective students, Oliver comments:

"If you’re tossing up whether to come to Res, just do it! Even if it’s for a year. Living on campus allows you to find your people and form deeper connections compared to just simply turning up to class. I would recommend it even more for rural and regional students, as there’s so much to do in Melbourne, and sometimes the regional lifestyle keeps you in your comfort zone. So make the jump and live on Res."

Keen to apply?

Applications for Residential Scholarships will open later this year.

To apply:

• Submit an application to live on Res. This application is free and can be cancelled at any time if your circumstances change.

• When scholarship applications open, complete your application via Deakin’s Scholarships page and indicate your interest in living on Res.

*Please note the Needs Based Funding (NBF) Program is subject to approval each year.