Tropical Vets Placement Experience Scholarship

Introduction

The Tropical Vets Placement Experience Scholarship is designed to support veterinary science students who have not had the financial means to undertake placement opportunities. This scholarship will enable one fourth year Veterinary Science student to undertake two placement opportunities: 1. international or regional and remote placement and 2. a placement in the final year at one of Tropical Vets regional clinics (non-Townsville based). The scholarship will support a student to do their fourth-year elective placement at an international or regional remote location within Australia.

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 $5,000 for one year. Payments will be made in one instalment after your confirmed placement opportunity.  Your must also satisfy all JCU International and Domestic placement requirements prior to receiving funds.

Eligibility Criteria

The Tropical Vets Placement Experience Scholarship is open for you to apply if you are:

• An Australian citizen, New Zealand citizens, Permanent Residents, and International students.
• Enrolled full-time or part-time in your 4th year of your course.  Students enrolled in their 3rd year of their course are also eligible to apply for the scholarship to support their 4th year elective placements.
• Experiencing financial hardship
• Students will need to provide a report on their experience at the end.

Selection Criteria

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

• Financial need (50%); and
• Academic (50%);

If required, the panel will consider the importance of placement opportunity to the applicants to determine a final recipient.

Application Procedures

Applicants wanting to apply for this scholarship must attach the following documents to their application form.

• Evidence of financial hardship  (see Examples of Supporting documentation – Financial Hardship section).
• A copy of academic transcript.
• A short-written application addressing:

1. Why you have chosen to study Veterinary Science?
2. Tell us about the international/regional and remote placement experience you’re intending to take part in. Is this the first time you will have left Australia or been to the location you intend to have your placement? What do you hope to gain from the experience?
3. How will this scholarship enable you to complete your studies?
4. Note which Tropical Vet clinic you’d like to do your 5th year final placement and proposed dates.

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 scholarship, which includes authorization 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 in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Head of Veterinary Sciences (chair), or nominee;
• Executive member of Tropical Vets, or nominee; and
• A pool of appropriate JCU representatives.

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

Ongoing eligibility

To continue to receive payments, the ongoing eligibility must be met:

• Successful completion of 3rd year.

Other Criteria

• Successful applicant must do a placement in their final year at one of the Tropical Vets regional clinics (non-Townsville based);
• Successful applicant must satisfy all JCU international placement requirements (if applicable) prior to receiving funds.
• Students need to engage with the donor, Tropical Vets, whilst on placement and grant permission to use any material provided for the purposes of advertising, publicity, or any other publications.
• Students need to provide a report on their experience at the end.

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 does not meet the continuing eligibility requirements, the award will be terminated.

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