Ross River Solar Farm Regional Women's Scholarship

The Ross River Solar Farm Regional Women’s 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 a 1st or 2nd year student enrolled full time in Bachelor of Engineering (honours), Bachelor Engineering / Bachelor Information Technology or Bachelor Engineering / Bachelor Science at James Cook University; and
• are female;
• are in need of financial support;
• intend to major in Electrical;

The value of the scholarship is $8,000 per year paid up to 4 years (being the minimum number of years required to complete).

The scholarship shall be paid 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 copy of their academic (School) record;
• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  • Reasons for choosing to study Engineering (Electrical).
  • How their core values align with: Trust, Innovation, Passion and Excellence.
  • Why they are applying for the scholarship and how they believe the scholarship will assist you their tertiary studies?
  • If they are from a rural or isolated location,  discuss the challenges they may have faced and why receiving this scholarship will benefit them.
• One character reference attesting to the applicant’s good character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship (from school teacher, principal or other professional).
• their curriculum vitae; and
• Evidence of financial hardship as requested in the application. (see Examples of supporting Documentation).

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.

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

Ross River Solar Farm (RRSF) is committed to supporting women to enter non-traditional professions such as engineering. To assist with this commitment, RRSF is establishing a scholarship program for regional women, who can demonstrate financial disadvantage, and wish to study a bachelor of engineering (Electrical).

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 is $8,000 per year paid up to 4 years (being the minimum number of years required to complete).

The scholarship shall be paid 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 Ross River Solar Farm Regional Women’s 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 a 1st or 2nd year student enrolled full time in Bachelor of Engineering (honours), Bachelor Engineering / Bachelor Information Technology, Bachelor Engineering / Bachelor Science at James Cook University: and
• Are female; and
• Are in need of financial support; and
• Intend to major in electrical.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• Academic merit or potential: (15%)
• Extent of financial hardship: (15%)
• The character of the candidate for the award (25%): (CV and reference)
• Content of written statement (45%): and
• Any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate, including whether the candidate has, or will receive any other scholarship assistance during their studies.

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 copy of their academic (School) record:
• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  1. Reasons for choosing to study Engineering (Electrical).
  2. How their core values align with Trust, Innovation, Passion and Excellence.
  3. Why they are applying for the scholarship and how they believe the scholarship will assist them in their tertiary studies?
  4. If they are from a rural or isolated location, discuss the challenges they may have faced and why receiving this scholarship will benefit them.
• One character reference attesting to the applicant's good character and/or suitability to receive the scholarship (from school teacher, principal or other professional):
• Their curriculum vitae; and
• Evidence of financial hardship as requested in the application.  (see Examples of supporting Documentation).

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:

• Dean, College of Science & Engineering (Chair) or nominee;
• Head, Engineering, or nominee;
• Nominee from Palisades Integrated Management Services;
• Any other members as deemed appropriate by the Chair.

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 full time enrolment.
• The recipient must maintain a course GPA of 5.0 or above.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• At the end of the academic year, a written report must be submitted to the scholarship's office, the template will be sent to you.
• If the recipient defers their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award.
• If the holder of an award takes an official leave of absence, the award will be terminated.
• If the holder of the does not choose to major in Electrical after their first year, the award may be terminated.
• Where the recipient fails to meet any conditions of the scholarship, evidence of special circumstances can be provided to the Selection Committee for consideration of ongoing eligibility. The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the conditions of the scholarship.
• 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 Scholarships Office.

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.

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.