QCoal Foundation Scholarship

If all the below statements describe you and your current situation, you can apply for this scholarship.

• I am an Australian citizen or holder of an Australian Permanent visa with a home address located within the state of Queensland.
• I have completed Year 12 within 2 years prior to studying at James Cook University;
• I am a commencing student in the year the scholarship is to be awarded, enrolled in an undergraduate course at James Cook University; or I am commencing my second year enrolled in a Geology or Earth Science undergraduate course;
• I am or will be enrolled full time;
• I am currently living in, or have relocated from, an outer regional, remote or very remote area (See RA3 – RA5 ASGS Remoteness Categories).

The value of the scholarship shall be $10,000 per year for up to three years. Payments will be made in 3 equal instalments (to the nearest dollar) after census date of TRI 1, TRI 2 and TRI 3. Please allow up to 4 weeks after census date for payment.

Prior to completing an application, you should carefully read the Scholarship Rules below.
Applicants wanting to apply for this scholarship must upload the following documents when submitting the application:

• a copy of your academic record from any other academic institution, including secondary school;
• a copy of your ATAR or equivalent;
• a written statement of no more than 500 words OR a video clip of no more than 3 minutes, describing:

1. When will you be commencing your studies: January (Trimester 1/Semester 1), May (Trimester 2), July (Semester 2), or September (Trimester 3) (NB: This will be dependent on the degree you are enrolled in).

2. Why are you applying for the scholarship and how do you believe the scholarship will assist you?

3. What do you believe are the key areas for building resilient regional and remote communities?

4. How will you play a role in building resilient regional and remote communities following graduation?

5. How will your studies prepare you to contribute to your future role and aspiratons in regional and remote communities?

Please note, your application will not be assessed on the quality of the video - we are expecting footage to be shot on a mobile phone or laptop

See instructions on  How to upload a YouTube video clip

• no more than three written references attesting to your character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship;
• a copy of your curriculum vitae;
• evidence of having relocated from, an outer regional, remote or very remote area (See RA3 – RA5 ASCG Remoteness Categories); and
• any other supporting documentation that would assist the Selection Committee in developing an opinion as to the merit of your application.

When applying for a scholarship it is very important that you answer all the questions and include all relevant documents.  Your application and relevant documents must be submitted before the closing date. If an application is incomplete, it will not be considered.

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

QCoal Foundation is committed to building resilient regional and remote Queensland communities. The Foundation focuses on supporting community-led initiatives in the areas of liveability, health and education. This scholarship will support an undergraduate student through three years of study.

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 $10,000 per year for up to three years. Payments will be made in 3 equal instalments (to the nearest dollar) after census date of TRI 1, TRI 2 and TRI 3. Please allow up to 4 weeks after census date for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

If all the below statements describe you and your current situation, you can apply for this scholarship.

• I am an Australian citizen or holder of an Australian Permanent visa with a home address located within the state of Queensland.
• I have completed Year 12 within 2 years prior to studying at James Cook University;
• I am a commencing student in the year the scholarship is to be awarded, enrolled in an undergraduate course at James Cook University; or I am commencing my second year enrolled in a Geology or Earth Science undergraduate course;
• I am or will be enrolled full time;
• I am currently living in, or have relocated from, an outer regional, remote or very remote area (See RA3 – RA5 ASGS Remoteness Categories).

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• Aspirations for tertiary study;
• commitment to contributing through returning to work in a regional or remote location;
• the character of the candidate for the award; and
• any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate (e.g. degree, rural and remoteness rating, postcode etc).

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 copy of their ATAR or equivalent;
• a written statement of no more than 500 words OR a video clip of no more than 3 minutes, describing:

1. Why are you applying for the scholarship and how do you believe the scholarship will assist you?

2. What do you believe are the key areas for building resilient regional and remote communities?

3. How will you play a role in building resilient regional and remote communities following graduation?

4. How will your studies prepare you to contribute to your future role and aspirations in regional and remote communities?

• no more than three written references attesting to the applicant’s character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship;
• their curriculum vitae; 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 applicants’ 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 made at the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• A member of the QCoal Foundation, or nominee (CHAIR)
• Director, Academic Quality and Strategy, or nominee,
• Member nominated by the Advancement Team.
• **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 applicant of sufficient merit to warrant an award.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Scholarship recipient.

Ongoing Eligibility

The recipient must maintain a course GPA of 4.0 or above.

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 Scholarship

Twice a 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 may suspend their scholarship for a maximum of twelve months, subject to donor approval.

If the recipient is granted an approved leave of absence, the scholarship shall be suspended for a maximum of six months, subject to donor approval.

If a recipient changes their degree during their scholarship period, they will need to seek approval from QCOAL Foundation. To apply to move degrees, please provide a Statement of Reason for transfer toscholarships@jcu.edu.au. JCU Scholarship Office will seek approval from the Foundation on your behalf.

If the recipient fails to comply with any of the conditions of this scholarship, the Chair of the Selection Committee may suspend or terminate the scholarship, or take such action as it deems necessary to enforce compliance with the condition by the recipient.

A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the Student Appeals Policy.

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.

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship shall be owned and 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 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