Nature of the Scholarship

The value of the bursary shall be $3,000 paid in two instalments after the census date of Study Period 1 and 2. Two bursaries will be awarded each year.

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 31 January 2018); 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 teaching 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 supporting their application, including details of dependent children and family circumstances you would like taken into consideration;
• 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, Learning, Teaching and Student Engagement (Chair), or nominee
• Manager, Student Finance and Examinations, or nominee;
• Manager, Student Equity and Wellbeing, or nominee; and

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.

Payment

Monies payable to the recipient of an award shall be paid in 2 equal instalments after the census date of Study Period 1 & 2.

Ongoing Eligibility

The recipient must maintain a GPA of 4 or above and be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit points per teaching 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

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 Scholarship

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.

Definitions

Unless there appears a contrary intention in these rules:
“academic institution” includes University, Technical and Further Education College, private education provider, secondary school and any other institution that undertakes teaching or research;
“academic record” means the official records of the University, or any other academic institution that details the levels of academic achievement attained by the person whose academic record it is;
“award” means the bursary;
“awardee” means the recipient of a bursary; and
“applicant” means the person applying for the bursary
Scholarships for the purpose of these guidelines exclude scholarships for project and stipend support of research higher degree students.