The William John and Lizzie May Sinclair Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established in 2010 to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students who are financially disadvantaged who are studying Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. This Scholarship was established with a gift from the estate of Mr William Robson Sinclair, in honour of his parents, and with the generous support of the Donaldson and Kingston families.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered to applicants who qualify for entry (admission) into a full-time undergraduate program degree (including combined degrees) offered by the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney. 

b. Applicants must be an Australian Citizen, an Australian Permanent Resident, or a New Zealand Citizen. 

c. Applicants must either:

I. identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and/or

II. be able to demonstrate financial need or disadvantage.

d. Applicants must enrol or remain enrolled full-time in the semester immediately following award of this scholarship.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit, and

II. 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. If the Scholarship is not able to be awarded to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student, the Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:

I. academic merit, and

II. supporting documentation and a personal statement which provides evidence of financial need or disadvantage.

c. The Scholarship will be awarded on the nomination of the Associate Dean (Education) Faculty of Engineering, or their nominated delegate.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $25,000 per annum and is tenable for the normal full-time duration of the degree including combined degrees.

b. The Scholarship will be paid fortnightly on a pro-rata basis, based on enrolled units of study successfully completed (at credit grade or above). Specifically, the value of the award will be calculated as the value of enrolled units of study in the current semester less the value of enrolled units of study not successfully completed in the previous semester.

c. If awarded to a currently enrolled student, the scholarship is tenable for the remaining candidature and will be paid as per clause 4.b.

d. The scholarship may be held part-time due to extenuating circumstances such as a medical condition which limits the student’s capacity to undertake full-time study. An application to hold the scholarship part-time must be submitted directly to Faculty for the consideration of the Associate Dean (Education), Faculty of Engineering. If approved, the value will be paid on a pro-rata basis depending on enrolled units of study successfully completed (at credit average grade or above), up until the full value of the award is consumed.

e. If awarded to an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander student, an amount of up to $15,000 per annum will be available in addition to the scholarship stipend, as required, to provide any necessary additional mentoring and tutoring support for the student.

f. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted.

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

h. 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 65 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 of the Associate Dean (Education), Faculty of Engineering,

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 primary scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more for the same purpose as this scholarship,

VI. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $6,000 per annum or more for the same purpose as this Scholarship.  The exception to this is where the recipient is awarded a placement scholarship, in which case this scholarship will be suspended for the duration of the placement. It will be reinstated at the completion of the placement if there is any scholarship candidature remaining. The value of this scholarship for the period of the placement will be forfeited, or

VII. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave.

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.