Indigenous Student On-Campus Accommodation Scholarship
The Indigenous Student On-Campus Accommodation Scholarships provide housing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students who live on campus at JCU Townsville, Bebegu Yumba Campus or JCU Cairns, Nguma-bada Campus. This suite of scholarships are proudly supported by UniLodge, the McCall MacBain Foundation and JCU.
This scholarship is subject to the provisions of the James Cook University Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy
| Student Type | Indigenous Students |
|---|---|
| Area of Study | Any |
| Total Value | Up to $15,000 per year |
| Duration | Minimum duration of degree |
| Applications Open | 31 October 2023 |
| Applications Close | 28 February 2024 |
The Indigenous Student On-Campus Accommodation Scholarships are open for you to apply if you:
- Identify as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and
- Are enrolled, or will be enrolled by semester one, as a full-time student at the Townsville, Bebegu Yumba Campus, Douglas or Cairns, Nguma-bada Campus, Smithfield; and
- Have applied, or intend to apply, to live in either Burralga Yumba, Rotary International, John Grey Hall or George Roberts in a standard room for the full academic year.
The Department of Human Services’ Abstudy (Residential Costs option) can help eligible students manage the costs of living in an on-campus accommodation facility, and can cover accommodation, meals (if provided), laundry charges and other compulsory fees.
Read more about ABSTUDY residential costs option
Access to the Abstudy Residential Costs option is dependent on a set of criteria, and the University acknowledges that not all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students may be eligible.
If the student is eligible for Abstudy:
| Costs | Value |
|---|---|
| Accommodation Costs | Paid by Abstudy |
| Living expenses Paid to the student in two equal instalments up to six weeks after census date of study period one and study period two. | $5,000.00 (In addition to accommodation costs, paid by Abstudy) |
If the student is not eligible for Abstudy:
| Costs | Self-Catered Accommodation | Catered Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
|
Accommodation Costs These costs are paid by the scholarship fund directly to the accommodation provider. Successful students will be required to contact their accommodation provider should they require a refund upon being awarded the scholarship. | $10,000 maximum | $15,000 maximum |
|
Living expenses Paid to the student in two equal instalments up to six weeks after census date of study period one and study period two. | $5,000 | $0.00 |
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:
- Confirmed outcome of ABSTUDY Living Allowance application (approved or declined). Please note that it takes a minimum of 10 business days to receive the outcome of your application for ABSTUDY via Centrelink. In most instances you'll receive an outcome sooner. Your application will not be accepted without the outcome of you ABSTUDY application.
- Written Statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
- What accommodation you have applied to (Burralga Yumba, Rotary International, John Grey Hall or George Roberts);
- What degree you are studying'
- Your motivation to complete your tertiary studies;
- What initiatives you have taken in your community? Volunteer work. Leadership opportunities; and
- The impact receiving this scholarship would have on your studies.
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 will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.
Introduction
The Indigenous Student On-Campus Accommodation Scholarships provide housing support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students who live on campus at JCU. This suite of scholarships are proudly supported by UniLodge, the McCall MacBain Foundation and JCU.
This scholarship is subject to the provisions of the James Cook University Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy
Value and payment of the scholarship
The Department of Human Services’ Abstudy (Residential Costs option) can help eligible students manage the costs of living in an on-campus accommodation facility, and can cover accommodation, meals (if provided), laundry charges and other compulsory fees.
Read more about ABSTUDY residential costs option
Access to the Abstudy Residential Costs option is dependent on a set of criteria, and the University acknowledges that not all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island students may be eligible.
If the student is eligible for Abstudy:
| Accommodation Costs | Paid by Abstudy |
|---|---|
|
Living expenses Paid to the student in two equal instalments up to six weeks after census date of study period one and study period two. | $5,000.00 |
If the student is not eligible for Abstudy:
| Costs | Self-Catered Accommodation | Catered Accommodation |
|---|---|---|
|
Accommodation Costs These costs are paid by the scholarship fund directly to the accommodation provider. Successful students will be required to contact their accommodation provider should they require a refund upon being awarded the scholarship. | $10,000 maximum | $15,000 maximum |
|
Living expenses Paid to the student in two equal instalments up to six weeks after census date of study period one and study period two. | $5,000 | $0.00 |
Eligibility Criteria
The Indigenous Student On-Campus Accommodation Scholarships are open for you to apply if you:
- Identify as an Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and
- Are enrolled, or will be enrolled by semester one, as a full-time student at the Townsville, Bebegu Yumba Campus, Douglas or Cairns, Nguma-bada Campus, Smithfield; and
- Have applied, or intend to apply, to live in either Burralga Yumba, Rotary International, John Grey Hall or George Roberts in a standard room for the full academic year.
Selection Criteria
The Selection Criteria are:
- Demonstrated high degree of motivation to complete tertiary studies; (20%)
- The applicant's academic merit; (30%)
- Community contributions and character of the candidate for the award; (20%)
- Outcome from interview (20%).
- Any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate; (10%).
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:
- Confirmed outcome of ABSTUDY Living Allowance application (approved or declined). Please note that it takes a minimum of 10 business days to receive the outcome of your application for ABSTUDY via Centrelink. In most instances you'll receive an outcome sooner. Your application will not be accepted without the outcome of you ABSTUDY application.
- Written Statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
- What accommodation you have applied to (Burralga Yumba, Rotary International, John Grey Hall or George Roberts);
- What degree you are studying'
- Your motivation to complete your tertiary studies;
- What initiatives you have taken in your community? Volunteer work. Leadership opportunities; and
- The impact receiving this scholarship would have on your studies.
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.
Selection Process
The award of the scholarship will be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:
- Deputy Vice Chancellor, Indigenous Education and Strategy or representative, (Chair); and
- Head, Indigenous Student Services or representative; and
- Divisional Executive Officer, SRD or representative; and
- Representative from UniLodge Townsville and Cairns
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 will be responsible for shortlisting and/or interviewing of candidates.
The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Scholarship awardee.
Ongoing eligibility
- The recipient must maintain a course GPA of 4.0 or above.
- The recipient must be enrolled full time.
- The recipient must continue to live on campus at Burralga Yumba, Townsville or Nguma-bada, Cairns.
- Where the recipient fails to meet these requirements, they must submit a statement of reasons, which the selection committee will review and decide if the student will continue to receive the scholarship. Students may be required to undergo counselling and regular check-ins with IERC Staff.
Conditions of the Scholarship
- The recipient must advise if they become eligible for Abstudy or are no longer eligible for Abstudy.
- The recipient must connect regularly with the Indigenous Education and Research Centre Academic Support Advisor and/or their IPAL Advisor (tutor). Further, they must comply with any support or academic plans put place for their studies for the year. Failure to do so may result in termination of their scholarship.
- The recipient must submit an annual activity report after result release date of Study Period 1. Report template will be sent to the recipient.
- If the recipient defers their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award but may apply again in the next round.
- If the recipient of the award takes an official leave of absence the award will be terminated, and the student may apply again in the next eligible round.
- In the event that funding is no-longer available to continue to support a student on a scholarship the student will be given 12 months’ notice of cessation of their offer.
- 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 the scholarship's 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.
Please refer to Glossary of Terms.