Yvonne Thomas Bursary

If all the below statements describe you and your current situation, you can apply for this scholarship.

• I am female and 25 years or older by the close date
• I am enrolled in an enabling or undergraduate course at James Cook University
• I am or will be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit points per study period
• I have not previously completed a degree
• I have not previously been the recipient of the Yvonne Thomas Bursary

If you are a successful applicant of this bursary you will receive $3,000 paid in equal instalments after the census date of Study Period 1 and 2. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Prior to completing an application, you should carefully read the Scholarship Rules below. Applicants wanting to apply for this scholarship must attach the following documents:

• a certified copy of your academic record from any other academic institution;
• a written statement, of no more than 500 words supporting your application, including information regarding your financial and/or family situation.
• documented evidence of financial hardship based on your answers in the application questions.
• any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of the application

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you answer all the questions and include all relevant documents.  Your application and relevant documents must be submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

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.

This bursary has been established from the estate of the Late Yvonne Thomas with the funds to be used for or towards the improvement of education of women. This bursary is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and Payment of the Bursary

If you are a successful applicant of this bursary you will receive $3,000 paid in equal instalments after the census date of Study Period 1 and 2. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

The Yvonne Thomas Bursary shall be open to competition among applicants who:

• are female students aged 25 and over by the close date; and
• are enrolled in an enabling or undergraduate award course at James Cook University; and
• are enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit points per study period at James Cook University; and
• have not previously completed a degree; and
• have not previously been the recipient of an Yvonne Thomas Bursary.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• extent of financial hardship; and
• any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate, including whether the applicant has, or will receive any other scholarship assistance during their studies.
  Preference will be given to applicants with dependants and/or carer responsibilities.

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 certified copy of their academic record from any other academic institution;
• A written statement, of no more than 500 words supporting their application, including information regarding their financial and/or family situation
• documented evidence of financial hardship; and
• any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of the application.

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 bursary, 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 bursary shall be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Dean, Centre for Education and Enhancement (Chair), or nominee
• Manager, Student Finance and Examinations, or nominee,
• AccessAbility Support nominee.
• **OR a pool of appropriate JCU representatives

Three members shall form a quorum.

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

• not to award a bursary in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no applicant of sufficient merit to warrant an award
• to extend a bursary for an existing recipient.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the bursary.

Ongoing Eligibility

The recipient must maintain a GPA of 4 or above and be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit points per study period at James Cook University.

Where the recipient fails to meet this requirement, evidence of special circumstances contributing to the reduced GPA must be provided to the Selection Committee for consideration of ongoing eligibility.

Conditions of the Bursary

At the end of the academic year, a written report must be submitted to the scholarships office, the template will be sent to you.

In the event the Selection Committee Chair terminates or suspends the student’s bursary, a student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Complaint Management Policy and Procedures.
The requirements of the bursary shall not make the awarding of the Scholarship conditional upon the recipient providing unremunerated services or products to the donor.

In the event that the recipient suspends their study, the bursary shall be suspended.

Administration of the Bursary

The bursary shall be administered by the JCU Scholarships Office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the bursary 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 bursary.

Income from a fund not expended on the award which it maintains, shall be added to and become part of the fund.

Moneys payable in any year to the holder of an award shall be paid at such times and in such amounts as the Registrar deems appropriate to the circumstance of each case.

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.

Please refer to Glossary of Terms