North Queensland Bulk Ports Indigenous Scholarship

The North Queensland Bulk Ports Indigenous Scholarship is open to competition among candidates who:

• Are commencing studies or intending to commence at JCU in 2026; and
• Are enrolled full time; and
• Are enrolled in any Undergraduate degree; and
• Are not receiving any other scholarships (excluding Indigenous Commonwealth Reward Scholarships); and

One of:

• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and reside in one of the following regions:
  • Mackay / Sarina (postal code range: 4737 – 4803);
  • Bowen (postal code range: 4804 – 4805);
  • Weipa (postal code: 4874);

or

• Be of Juru, Yuwi, Alngith, Wik, Thanikwithi, or Peppan decent, residing in Qld.

The value of the scholarship is $5,000 per year for 3 years, up to  maximum of $15,000

The scholarship shall be paid in 2 equal instalments after census date of Study Period 1 and Study Period 2 for Semesters or 3 equal instalments (rounded to the nearest dollar) after census date of TRI 1, TRI 2, and TRI 3 for Trimesters. Please allow up to 4 weeks after census date for payment.

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, where appropriate:

• A written statement of no more than 200 words outlining:
  1. Please tell us about yourself and your cultural background. This could include family, studies or work experiences, and what has influenced your decision to study your chosen course at JCU.
• Proof or statement relating to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status.
• Documented evidence of financial hardship based on your answers in the application questions.

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.

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.

Applications will be assessed based on financial need and the student with the greatest financial need will be awarded. Outcome from assessment is estimated by 12^th June 2026 with the first payment made upon awarding and subsequent payments made after census date of each trimester of semester of your course.

Introduction

North Queensland Bulk Ports (NQBP) is a government-owned corporation with ports at Hay Point, Mackay, Abbot Point and Weipa. NQBP delivers essential port services for the benefit of the people of Queensland. Their ports connect North Queensland to the world while balancing the needs of their iconic surroundings, communities, and stakeholders.

NQBP are keen to support an Indigenous undergraduate student from Mackay/Bowen/ Weipa OR an Indigenous undergraduate student with cultural ties to the Indigenous groups in one of those locations (Juru, Yuwi, Alngith, Wik, Thanikwithi, or Peppan).

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 scholarship shall be paid in 2 equal instalments after census date of Study Period 1 and Study Period 2 for Semesters or 3 equal instalments (rounded to the nearest dollar) after census date of TRI 1, TRI 2, and TRI 3 for Trimesters. Please allow up to 4 weeks after census date for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

The North Queensland Bulk Ports Indigenous Scholarship is open to competition among candidates who:

• Are commencing studies or intending to commence at JCU in 2026; and
• Are enrolled full time; and
• Are erolled in any Undergraduate degree; and
• Are not receiving any other scholarships (excluding Indigenous Commonwealth Reward Scholarships); and

One of:

• Be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent and reside in one of the following regions:
  • Mackay / Sarina (postal code range: 4737 – 4803);
  • Bowen (postal code range: 4804 – 4805);
  • Weipa (postal code: 4874);

or

• Be of Juru, Yuwi, Alngith, Wik, Thanikwithi, or Peppan decent, residing in Qld.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Committee shall, in the exercise of its absolute discretion, afford consideration to the following criteria:

• Financial Need (100%)

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, where appropriate:

• A written statement of no more than 200 words outlining:
  1. Please tell us about yourself and your cultural background. This could include family, studies or work experiences, and what has influenced your decision to study your chosen course at JCU.
• Proof or statement relating to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status.
• Documented evidence of financial hardship based on your answers in the application questions.

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.

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 shall be based upon the student with the greatest financial need based on evidence submitted and ranked against the pool of applicants by the Scholarship Office.

Conditions of the Scholarship/Ongoing eligibility

• Student must be progressing through degree with minimum GPA of 3.5.
• Student must maintain full-time enrolment.
• Student may take an approved leave of absence for one study period (trimester or semester) before scholarship is terminated.
• Students are required to complete a student impact report each year.
• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Complaints Policy and Procedures.

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 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.