Bernard Lee Scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students

1. Background

a. The purpose of the Bernard Lee Scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students is to provide financial support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying at the University of Sydney. 

b. The scholarship was established in 2024 and is funded by a bequest from Bernard Lee.

2. Eligibility criteria

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney. 

b. 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.

3. Selection criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of a personal statement that details:

I. how the scholarship will support the applicant to undertake their degree, and
II. details of financial hardship (if applicable).

b. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate financial hardship.

c. The Scholarship will be awarded by a selection committee consisting of the:

I. the Deputy Vice Chancellor - Indigenous Strategy and Services (DVC-ISS) (Chair) or their nominated delegate, 
II. at least one Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services (AD-ISS), 
III. the Director, Gadigal Centre, and 
IV. a Gadigal Centre Advancement Officer.

d. At least half the members of the selection committee must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.

4. Value

a. The scholarship provides a cash payment of AUD$8,500 per year and is tenable for the published full-time duration of the recipient’s undergraduate (single or combined) degree up to a maximum total duration of 5 years full-time study or part-time equivalent.

b. Recipients will receive 50% of the full-time payment of the scholarship if they enrol part-time (less than 18 credit points) in a semester.

c. The Scholarship annual value will be paid in two equal instalments after the census date of each semester. 

d. The scholarship does not cover appended Honours degrees.

e. The scholarship does not cover any postgraduate studies, such as a Master of Nursing or Doctor of Medicine, even if taken as part of a vertically integrated combined degree.

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

g. 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. Deferral and suspension

a. Deferral of the scholarship is not permitted.

b. Suspension of the scholarship is permitted for up to one semester provided the recipient is permitted to, or obtains approval to, suspend their degree.

c. Requests for suspension of the scholarship for more than one semester will be considered, and if appropriate approved, on a case-by-case basis by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) or their nominee.

7. Transfer of degree

a. The scholarship is transferable to another coursework degree at the University of Sydney, provided the recipient obtains approval from the University to transfer.

b. If a student transfers degrees, the scholarship duration will be the duration of the recipients new degree minus any time the student has previously held the scholarship.

8. Privacy

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

b. Scholarship recipients who do not meet or are identified as being at risk of not meeting academic progression requirements may be contacted by the University to offer academic and other student support services.

9. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance, 
III. 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, 
IV. 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
V. 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.