Lee Ming Tee Indigenous Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established in 2018 to provide financial support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking studies at the University of Sydney. 

b. This Scholarship is funded by a donation from the LEE Ming Tee Foundation.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled in the first semester of 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:

I. academic merit, 
II. community engagement, and
III. leadership experience.

b. 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,
IV. a Gadigal Centre Advancement Officer, and
V. a nominee of the LEE Ming Tee Foundation.

c. 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 is valued at AUD$42,000 per year and is tenable for the published full-time duration of the recipient’s degree (single or combined) up to a maximum total duration of 3 years full-time study or part-time equivalent. 

b. In the first instance the scholarship will cover the residential fees at a college or residence owned by or associated with the University of Sydney. This will be paid direct by the University to the recipient college or residence.

c. Any remaining funds will be made towards the recipient’s tuition fees. This benefit will be paid direct by the University towards their tuition fees prior to the census date of each semester.

d. If the recipient’s accommodation and tuition fees can be covered in full, any remaining funds will be paid to the recipient as a cash payment after the Semester 2 census date of each year.

e. The scholarship does not cover appended Honours degrees.

f. 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.

g. If the recipients degree is longer than 3 years, they may request an extension of the scholarship by emailing scholarships.office@sydney.edu.au prior to the 30 November of the third year of their scholarship. There is no guarantee that this extension will be approved.

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

i. No other amount is payable.

5. Deferral and suspension

a. Deferral of the scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided the recipient obtains approval from the University to defer their degree.

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. Requests for deferral or suspension of the scholarship for more than two semesters 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.

6. Transfer of degree

a. The scholarship is transferable to another undergraduate 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.

7. 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.

8. 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. 

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 accommodation scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more, 
V. accepts an alternative tuition fee scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more, or
VI. 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.