Ted Dexter Marine Scholarship

Ted Dexter Marine Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander,
• Study a Marine Science related degree at JCU:
  • Bachelor of Advanced Science
  • Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Science major Marine Science
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) major Marine Science
  • Bachelor of Marine Science (any major), or
  • A dual degree with one of the approved degrees above.
• Enrolled full-time, and
• In financial need.

The value of the scholarship $9,000 for 1 year, paid in 3 equal instalments after census date of each trimester. Payments can take up to 4 weeks after census date.

Applications must be lodged on the approved application form by the closing date set by the Selection Committee for the relevant award year. Applicants must also submit the following, where applicable:

• A written statement outlining (~500 words):
  • Why you have chosen to study Marine Science at JCU?
  • What do you aspire to do with your Marine Science degree?
  • Outline the impact the scholarship support would have on your capacity to study your degree.
• Financial hardship documentation, documented evidence of financial hardship based on your answers in the application questions.

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 grant, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the 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 Ted Dexter memorial Scholarship is offered in honour of the late father of Dr Peter Dexter. Herbert Edward (Ted) Dexter never had direct association with JCU but was passionate about the value of education for everyone, and that everyone should have the opportunity to study to the limits of their capabilities, and beyond that just for pleasure. He was a primary school teacher for most of his career, plus teaching ESL to migrant families at night school. This latter gradually expanded into a full TAFE in our hometown Bundaberg, with Ted Dexter as Director for the last few years before retirement. He finally gained his BA from UQ in his late 50s by correspondence (no computers or internet in those days). Without his enthusiasm and sacrifice Ted’s son, Peter, would never have made it to university in the first place. But once there, he was able to pick up a Commonwealth cadetship and various other support along the way, leading to higher degrees at JCU (MSc in 1973, PhD in 1979) and a rather adventurous, varied and modestly successful career in marine science and management. This scholarship is intended to carry on Ted’s life-long dedication to education for all.

The scholarship is for Indigenous First Nations students undertaking undergraduate studies in marine science at James Cook University. The scholarships will be awarded with priority given first to Indigenous women and then to Indigenous students with demonstrated financial need, ensuring they have the necessary support to achieve their academic and career aspirations in marine science.

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 $9,000 for 1 year, paid in 3 equal instalments after census date of each trimester. Payments can take up to 4 weeks after census date

Eligibility Criteria

Ted Dexter Marine Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander,

• Study a Marine Science related degree at JCU:
  • Bachelor of Advanced Science
  • Bachelor of Advanced Science (Honours)
  • Bachelor of Science major Marine Science
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) major Marine Science
• Enrolled full-time, and
• In financial need.

Selection Criteria

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

• Financial hardship (75%) – this takes into account whether they receive Centrelink support, who and how they will support their studies, if they have any dependants, disability or other circumstances that would impact their studies.
• Written statement (25%)
• Preference is given to female applicants.

Application Procedures

Applications must be lodged on the approved application form by the closing date set by the Selection Committee for the relevant award year. Applicants must also submit the following, where applicable:

• A written statement outlining (~500 words):
  • Why you have chosen to study Marine Science at JCU?
  • What do you aspire to do with your Marine Science degree?
  • Outline the impact the scholarship support would have on your capacity to study your degree.
• Financial hardship documentation, documented evidence of financial hardship based on your answers in the application questions.

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 grant, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

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

• Head, Indigenous Student Services (Chair) or nominee,
• Head, Marine Science and Aquaculture, or nominee, and
• Advancement 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 may require applicants to undertake an interview as part of their application.

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

Conditions of the Scholarship/Ongoing Eligibility

• Maintain a 4.0 GPA per trimester
• Remain enrolled full-time
• Recipients are required to submit a student impact report. A template will be sent to you when you are required to complete the report.
• If a Scholarship Recipient fails to meet the on-going eligibility, the Selection Committee will consider on-going funding options based on the individual circumstances. A statement of reasons will need to be supplied to the Scholarship Office (scholarships@jcu.edu.au). Options may include continuation of funding with agreed expectations, partial funding or scholarship termination.
• Should a Scholarship Recipient’s funding be revoked their remaining funding will be re-allocated to another student as per the original criteria.
• 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 Scholarships Office of the University, 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 scholarship 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