My Fortress Financial Planning Scholarship

The My Fortress Financial Planning Scholarship will be open to competition among candidates who:

• are domestic students, i.e. Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa; and
• are enrolled at the Townsville campus in the Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Commerce with an intent for a career in financial advising/financial planning
• have successfully completed a minimum of 24 credit points toward their course; and
• have a minimum course GPA of 4; and
• have not previously been awarded the My Fortress Financial Planning Scholarship.
• are available to be interviewed by My Fortress if shortlisted.

The value of the scholarship will be $4,000 and (paid) work experience with My Fortress

Scholarship payment will be made in 2 instalments. The 1^st instalment of $2,000 will be paid on awarding of the scholarship.  The 2^nd instalment of $2,000 will be paid on commencement of work experience.

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 to their application form:

• A written statement of no more than 600 words outlining:
  1. Why did you decide to study Financial Planning and what are your career goals once you have successfully completed your degree (200 words)
  2. Why are you applying for this scholarship? (200 words)
  3. Describe your experience working in a fast paced environment, providing an example on how you handled pressure (200 words)
• your curriculum vitae.

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you ensure that you include all relevant documents (including a completed application form) and that your application is submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

Note: Students who are shortlisted for this scholarship will need to make themselves available for interview with My Fortress Townsville (Phone or Face-to-Face or Zoom).

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

My Fortress has been providing the North Queensland community with expert financial advice for 30 years and has grown into one of Australia’s leading practices. At the Fit For Life Financial Services Centre, our staff value building client relationships and trust so we can provide a high and personalised standard of service. Our offering is truly unique with a financial planning, accounting and mortgage broking incorporate all within the one location.

My Fortress are providing scholarships to support the development of aspiring financial graduates who will assist us in reaching our business goals and objectives. To be considered for this scholarship the student we are looking for is vibrant, approachable and has a strong work ethic and willingness to learn. In return, My Fortress  will offer a challenging and rewarding environment with further understanding into your chosen career.

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 will be $4,000 and (paid) work experience with Austax Accounting

Scholarship payment will be made in 2 instalments. The 1^st instalment of $2,000 will be paid on awarding of the scholarship.  The 2^nd instalment of $2,000 will be paid on commencement of work experience.

Eligibility Criteria

The My Fortress Financial Planning Scholarship will be open to competition among candidates who:

• are domestic students, i.e. Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and holders of a permanent visa; and
• are enrolled at the Townsville campus in the Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Commerce with an intent for a career in financial advising/financial planning
• have successfully completed a minimum of 24 credit points toward their course; and
• have a minimum course GPA of 4; and
• have not previously been awarded the My Fortress Financial Planning Scholarship.
• are available to be interviewed by My Fortress if shortlisted.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• the character of the candidate for the award; and
• Academic standing – (30% weighting); and
• Content of the written statement (total 60% weighting):
  1. Why did you decide to study Financial planning and what are your career goals once you have successfully completed your degree (20% weighting)
  2. Why are you applying for this scholarship and work experience program? (20% weighting)
  3. Describe your experience working in a fast paced environment, providing an example on how you handled pressure (20% weighting)
• A curriculum vitae (10% weighting)
• any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate.

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official online application form and be received no later than the advertised close date. Applicants must submit with the official form:

• A written statement of no more than 600 words outlining:
  • Why did you decide to study Financial Planning and what are your career goals once you have successfully completed your degree (200 words)
  • Why are you applying for this scholarship? (200 words)
  • Describe your experience working in a fast paced environment, providing an example on how you handled pressure (200 words)
• 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.

Note: Students who are shortlisted for this scholarship will need to make themselves available for interview with My Fortress Townsville (Phone or Face-to-Face or Zoom).

Selection Process

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

• Manager, MBA and Business Postgraduate Programs, College of Business, Law & Governance (Chair), or nominee;
• Head, Accounting, or nominee; and
• My Fortress representative, or nominee

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

To receive your 2nd payment

• The recipient must maintain a full time enrolment.
• The recipient must commence work experience.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• If the recipient defers their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award.
• If the holder of the award takes an official leave of absence, the award will be terminated.
• If the holder of the award fails to meet all the ongoing eligibility requirements,  evidence of special circumstances may be  provided to the Selection Committee for consideration.
• The Donor will be responsible for all provisions regarding work experience, including remuneration.
• The recipient and the Donor will agree a mutually convenient time for the work experience
• The Donor must advise JCU Scholarship office on commencement of work experience
• 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 selection committee will be responsible for shortlisting and/or interviewing of candidates;

The donor will be responsible for notifying the scholarships office on recipient's commencement of work experience.

The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by Scholarships Office.

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.