Indigenous STEM Scholarship

The Indigenous STEM Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in descent;
• Are enrolled or intend to enrol full-time in an undergraduate STEM degree at James Cook University;

The value of the scholarship is $5,000 paid in  2 equal instalments after census date of Study Period 1 and Study Period 2. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made. Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record from any other academic institution, including secondary school; and
• A written statement, no more than 500 words outlining:
  1. your motivation to succeed in your course; and
  2. the benefit the scholarship would bring to you.
• A minimum of 1, but no more than 3 written references attesting to your good character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship.
• Any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion of you as an applicant.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.
The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquires as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorization for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

The Indigenous STEM Scholarship has been established to provide support and encouragement to students commencing in STEM courses at James Cook University.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and payment of the scholarship

The value of the scholarship is $5,000 paid in two equal instalments after census date of Study Period 1 and Study Period 2. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

The Indigenous STEM Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in descent;
• Are enrolled or intend to enrol full-time in an undergraduate STEM degree at James Cook University;

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• Content of the written statement outlining the benefit the scholarship would bring to the student; and
• The character of the candidate for the award; and
• Any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate, including whether the candidate has, or will receive any other scholarship assistance during their studies.

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made.

Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record from any other academic institution, including secondary school; and
• A written statement, no more than 500 words outlining: 
  1. your motivation to succeed in your course; and
  2. the benefit the scholarship would bring to you.
• A minimum of 1, but no more than 3 written references attesting to your good character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship.
• Any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion of you as an applicant.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship shall be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Head, Indigenous Student Services (CHAIR), or nominee,
• Other members as suggested by Chair.
• **OR a pool of appropriate JCU representatives

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

• not to award a Scholarship in any year, if in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no candidate of sufficient merit to warrant an award;

The Selection Committee may require applicants to undertake an interview as part of their application.
The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Scholarship awardee.

Ongoing eligibility

• The recipient must remain enrolled full time.
• The recipient must pass all subjects in their first semester to receive their 2^nd instalment.
• Where the recipient fails to meet this requirement evidence of special circumstances contributing to the fail grades must be provided to the Selection Committee for consideration of ongoing eligibility.
• The recipient of the scholarship shall continue to receive the award on condition that in the opinion of the Selection Committee, and on advice from the head of the school in which the recipient is undertaking a course of study, that the recipient maintains a satisfactory level of performance.  Where it is determined that the level of academic performance is unsatisfactory the Selection Committee may in its absolute discretion cancel the award or suspend the award for such time as it may determine and/or until academic performance is considered satisfactory.  Where an award is cancelled pursuant to the provisions to this clause it may, for the remainder of the term for which the original holder would have been entitled to it, be awarded to another suitable candidate.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• If the recipient defers or suspends their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award and the award will be terminated.
• If the holder of an award fails to comply with any of these provisions or with any conditions imposed under these provisions, the Selection Committee may terminate the award.
• The recipient of the award may hold other scholarships.
• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Scholarship

• The scholarship shall be administered by Scholarships Office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.
• The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the officer of the University charged with administering the scholarship.
• Income from a fund not expended on the award which it maintains, shall be added to and become part of the fund.
• Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation

Reference: Glossary of Terms