Koala Indigenous Scholarship in Design

1. Background

a. Koala Indigenous Scholarship in Design Scholarship was established to provide financial support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking studies in Design at the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

b. This Scholarship is funded by a donation from Koala AU Operations Pty Ltd.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.

b. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant qualify for entry into and having an unconditional offer of admission for an undergraduate degree in Design within the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

c. Recipients must enrol in the eligible degree the semester following award of this scholarship. Enrolment must be full-time. Recipients can undertake part-time study during their candidature only with prior approval of the Associate Dean, Indigenous Strategy and Services, Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:

I. academic merit, based on

a) performance in the NSW HSC or equivalent, for a recent school leaver (i.e. current school leavers or those who have taken 1 gap year), or

b) weighted average mark (WAM) or semester average mark (SAM) (if only one semester of tertiary studies completed), for a currently enrolled student,

II. a personal statement demonstrating the applicant’s interest and motivation in their chosen course, and

III. confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity as defined in the University of Sydney Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Dean and Head of School, Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning, or their nominated delegate(s).

4. Value

a. The scholarship is valued at up to $45,500 per annum, specifically:

I. The Scholarship will provide academic course fees up to the value of $12,000 per annum. This benefit will be paid direct by the University towards their tuition fees prior to the census date of each semester.

II. An additional $8,500 per annum will be provided to support the recipient’s living expenses. This annual value will be paid in two equal instalments after the census date of each semester; and

III. Up to $25,000 per annum will be provided towards University of Sydney owned or associated accommodation This will be paid direct by the University to the recipient college or residence. As per Deed of Gift, in the event that a Scholarship recipient notifies the University that they do not wish to/no longer wish to reside in university-owned/associated accommodation, this scholarship accommodation value will be forfeited.

b. The Scholarship is tenable for the published full-time duration of the recipient’s undergraduate degree (single or combined) up to a maximum total duration of 4 years full-time study.

c. Where part-time enrolment has been approved the value and duration will be adjusted accordingly, and the scholarship will be paid pro-rata.

d. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Head of School and Dean of the Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning. The Scholarship it is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university or to a study area outside design.

e. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.

f. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must maintain a minimum Semester Average Mark (SAM) of 50 each semester.

b. Recipients undertaking an exchange during the tenure of this Scholarship are required to have achieved a Satisfied Requirements grade (SR) to receive their next payment.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,

II. commences part-time study without prior approval,

III. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance,

IV. is determined by the University to be guilty of serious misconduct, including, but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application,

V. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more for the same purpose as this Scholarship, or

VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or

VII. any other provision as indicated in these terms that would lead to termination.

b. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

c. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or the Scholarship is terminated under any instance in the Termination Clause of these terms and conditions, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.

7. Other Requirements

a. It’s a condition of accepting this Scholarship funded by a donor/external organisation, that the recipient agrees that the University may disclose the following information to that third-party for stewardship purposes and in compliance with contractual arrangements:

I. Your first name,

II. the name of Your degree,

III. whether You have met and/or continue to meet the Eligibility Requirements and Enrolment Requirements for Your Scholarship.

b. Personal information about recipients collected by the University and shared with the donor will be managed in accordance with the University’s privacy obligations. See the University Privacy webpage for more information.