Sydney Conservatorium of Music Indigenous Scholarship

1. Background

a. Established in 2025, this Scholarship is a one-off donation from University’s donor community made to help meet First nations students’ priorities undertaking studies in Music at the University of Sydney.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander student. Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity will be part of the application process. 

b. Applicants must be currently enrolled or have applied for admission in a coursework or research degree in the Conservatorium of Music at the University of Sydney, at the time of scholarship application submission. 

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. student enrolled in any undergraduate, postgraduate coursework or research degree, and

II. a personal statement stating how the money will contribute towards completing their degree and applicant must include their name and student number as well their degree.

b. Preference would be given to applicants at their later stage of their degree.

c. The Scholarship will be awarded on the nomination of a selection committee consisting of the Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services), or their nominated delegates. 

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $5,000 and will be paid in one single instalment on receipt of the completed Scholarship Acceptance Form. 

b. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted, and it is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university.

c. Change of mode of attendance to part-time study under exceptional circumstances, such as a medical conditional may be permitted with the written approval of the Dean or their nominated delegate.

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

e. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. None apply

COURSEWORK STUDENTS

6. Termination

a. A recipient enrolled at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music will have their scholarship terminated if they:

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

II. 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, 

III. is awarded an alternative primary scholarship. In such circumstances this scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative scholarship where the alternative scholarship is of higher value, 

IV. 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 withdraws from the relevant course, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed. 

POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS

7. Changes in Enrolment

a. The Scholarship recipient must notify HDRAC and their supervisor promptly of any planned changes to their enrolment including but not limited to: attendance pattern, suspension, leave of absence, withdrawal, course transfer, and candidature upgrade or downgrade. If the award holder does not provide notice of the changes identified above, the University may require repayment of any overpaid stipend.

8. Termination

a.  The Scholarship will be terminated:

I. on resignation or withdrawal of the recipient from their research degree,

II. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,

III. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,

IV. if the recipient does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or

V. If the recipient ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).

b. The Scholarship may also be terminated by the University before this time if, in the opinion of the University:

I. the course of study is not being carried out with competence and diligence or in accordance with the terms of this offer,

II. the student fails to maintain satisfactory progress, or

III. the student has committed misconduct or other inappropriate conduct.

c. The Scholarship will be suspended throughout the duration of any enquiry/appeal process.

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

9. Misconduct

a. Where during the Scholarship a student engages in misconduct, or other inappropriate conduct (either during the Scholarship or in connection with the student’s application and eligibility for the Scholarship), which in the opinion of the University warrants recovery of funds provided, the University may require the student to repay payments made in connection with the Scholarship.  Examples of such conduct include and without limitation; academic dishonesty, research misconduct within the meaning of the Research Code of Conduct 2023 (for example, plagiarism in proposing, carrying out or reporting the results of research, or failure to declare or manage a serious conflict of interests), breach of the Student Charter 2020 and misrepresentation in the application materials or other documentation associated with the Scholarship.  

b. The University may require such repayment at any time during or after the Scholarship period.  In addition, by accepting this Scholarship, the student consents to all aspects of any investigation into misconduct in connection with this Scholarship being disclosed by the University to the funding body and/or any relevant professional body.