Cullinane Law Scholarship

The Cullinane Law Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• Are a commencing or continuing student; and
• Are intending to or currently studying a Bachelor of Laws at JCU.

The value of the scholarship shall be $6,000 for full time and $3,000 for part time. Payments will be made 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 that 500 words explaining: 
  Why you are interested in studying law, your community involvement, credentials and how the scholarship would benefit you.
• A written reference attesting to your good character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship; and
• Your curriculum vitae.

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 Honourable Kerry Cullinane QC has had a long-standing interest in supporting students to study law in North Queensland. This has driven his valuable connection with JCU’s Law School which started with him being part of the steering committee that established the School in 1989.
A native of Northern Queensland having been born in Hughenden and educated there and at St Augustine’s College in Cairns, Professor Cullinane was admitted to the bar in 1966 and for 26 years practised throughout North Queensland being a founder of the North Queensland Bar Association and its President for 13 years from 1979.
In 1982 he became the first North Queensland barrister to take silk when he was commissioned as a Queens Counsel. He succeeded Sir George Kneipp as northern judge when he was elevated to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1992, an appointment he held until his retirement this year.
Professor Cullinane was recognised for his outstanding support of JCU in 2007 with an Honorary Doctor of Laws.
This program has been established with a generous donation from Professor Cullinane to support students aspiring to study law at JCU in North Queensland.

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 shall be $6,000 for full time and $3,000 for part time. Payments will be made 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.

Eligibility Criteria

The Cullinane Law Scholarships shall be open to competition among candidates who:

• Are a commencing or continuing student; and
• Are intending to or currently studying a Bachelor of Laws at JCU.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• Academic merit (30%)
• First time applicants (20%)
• Character of the applicant including community involvement and work experiences (20%)
• Identifies as Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander (20%)
• Impact scholarship will have on ability to study (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:

• A copy of their academic record from any other academic institution, including secondary school;
• A written statement no more than 500 words explaining;
  why they are interested in studying law, their community involvement, credentials and how the scholarship would benefit them; and
• A reference attesting to the applicant’s good character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship; and
• Their curriculum vitae.

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

• Head, Law (CHAIR),
• Other members deemed appropriate, as determined by the 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;
• To award a Scholarship for a period of one or more years; and
• To extend a Scholarship for the existing recipient.

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 4.5 or above.
• The recipient must be enrolled in the Bachelor of Laws.
• 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.
• 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

• At the end of the academic year, a written report must be submitted to the scholarships office, the template will be sent to you.
• If the recipient defers their study, the recipient can apply for a deferment to their scholarship for up to 2 trimesters.
• If the recipient of the award takes an official leave of absence for more than 2 trimesters the award will be terminated.
• If the holder of an award fails to comply with any of these provisions or any provision relating to a particular award or with any conditions imposed under these provisions or the provisions relating to a particular award, the Council may terminate the award or withhold any further emoluments or take such action as it may deem necessary to enforce compliance with the provision or performance of the condition by the holder.
• The requirements of the Scholarship 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 scholarship shall be suspended.
• 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 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.

Where there is a fund maintaining the award, the annual value of the award shall be approximately equal to the annual income from the fund.

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

Please refer to Glossary of Terms.