Lavezzari Family (MD) Scholarship

1.  Background

a.  The purpose of the Lavezzari Family Scholarship (MD) is to support two scholarships for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled in the Doctor of Medicine (MD) at the University of Sydney to the value of $25,000 per student per year, up to a maximum of four years, to go towards supporting costs of living.

2.  Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Scholarship, an applicant must:

a. Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, or both, as defined in the University of Sydney's Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.

b.  Identify as a woman.

c.  Be a student enrolled in Doctor of Medicine at the University of Sydney;

d. Demonstrate financial needs.

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. How the scholarship will assist the applicant to overcome financial disadvantages.

b. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

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; and

ii. At least one Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services (AD-I);

iii. A Gadigal Centre staff member; and

iv. A staff member from the MD Program Indigenous Health team or their nominated delegate.

4. Value

a. Full-time study

i. The Scholarship provides a total cash payment of AUD $25,000 per year for up to four years, subject to ongoing eligibility.

ii. The Scholarship will be paid in two equal instalments of $12,500 each, following the Semester census dates.

b. Part-time study

i. Recipients who are enrolled in part-time study (24 credit points or less in a semester) will receive Scholarship benefits at the rate of 50% of the full-time benefit for the period of part-time study.

c. The Scholarship is a cash payment only to go towards the costs of living.

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

e. No extension is possible.

f.  No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing Eligibility

To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must: 

a. Remain enrolled in Doctor of Medicine at the University of Sydney;

b. Maintain satisfactory academic progress (pass), consistent with the University’s academic progression requirements; In exceptional circumstances, this clause can be waived for 1 academic year at the discretion of the MD course director.

6. Deferral and Suspension

a. Deferral of the Scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided that the recipient has received approval under the Coursework Policy (as amended or replaced) to defer or suspend their course.  If the recipient’s deferral or suspension is approved, payment of the Scholarship will be paused for the period of the deferral/suspension and will resume when they return to studies.

b. Suspension of the Scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided the recipient is permitted to, or obtains approval to, suspend their degree. 

c. The recipient must contact the Scholarships Office at least two months before the end of their deferral or suspension period to request reinstatement of the scholarship. Failing to do so may result in the scholarship being terminated. 

7. Transfer of Degree

a. The Scholarship is not transferrable.

8. Termination

a.  The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

i. No longer meet the Eligibility Criteria, or any other requirement set out in the Scholarship Details or Terms and Conditions;

ii. Breaches any Terms and Conditions;

iii. Withdraws from their enrolled degree or fails to re-enrol at the end of permitted or approved deferral or suspension;

iv. Does not maintain satisfactory academic progress (pass), consistent with the University’s academic progression requirements;

v. Exceeds the maximum total duration of study supported by the Scholarship;

vi. Is determined by the University to be guilty of misconduct, as specified in the University of Sydney Student Discipline Rule (as amended or replaced), including having provided false or misleading information as part of their Scholarship application;

vii. The recipient was awarded in error; or

viii. The funds are reduced or ceased to be available.

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

c. Where a student is found guilty of misconduct, the University reserves the right to request reimbursement of any Scholarship funds paid.

9.  Privacy

a. The University collects and uses recipients’ personal information for the purpose of administering and maintaining the Scholarship, the University’s scholarship processes and for making Scholarship payments to the recipient, in accordance with the University’s business requirements and legal obligations. Further information about the collection and use of personal information is outlined in the University’s Scholarships Privacy Collection Notice (as amended or replaced).