The Molly Brown Memorial Scholarship

1. Background

a. Established in 2023, The Molly Brown Memorial Scholarship is to support students undertaking studies at the University of Sydney’s Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

b. This scholarship is in honour of the remarkable and compassionate life of the late Molly Brown. A single mother of two children, Kristine and Bryan, and lover of music and the performing arts, Molly overcame socio-economic hardships through tireless dedication to ensuring a better future for her family. Her generosity of spirit lives on with her scholarship empowering students to fully engage in their musical education as they unlock their artistic potential.

2. Eligibility

a. This Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled full time in a coursework or research degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be studying music.

c. Applicants must have experienced financial hardship.

d. Applicants must be from a low socio-economic background.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. personal statement, and/or

II. demonstrated evidence of disadvantage.

b. For a postgraduate research applicant, the Scholarship may also be awarded on the basis of research achievements and potential. 

c. Preference will be given to applicants who are able to demonstrate they are from Western Sydney or South-Western Sydney.

d. Applicants may be required to attend an interview.

e. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Dean of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music or their nominated delegate.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $25,000 per annum for up to four years. The value will be split into the following components:

I. $7,800 per annum towards academic fees which will be paid direct to the recipient’s academic fees, and

II. $17,200 per annum as a cash payment. 

b. For a coursework student the cash payments will be paid as two equal cash payments after the census date of each semester.

c. For a research student the cash payments will be paid as two equal cash payments after the census date of Research Period 2 and Research Period 3 each year.

d. Deferral and/or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted without written approval of the Head of School and Dean, Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

e. The scholarship is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university.

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

g. No other amount is payable.

FOR COURSEWORK STUDENTS:

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 written approval of the Head of School and Dean, Sydney Conservatorium of Music, 

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, or

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

b. Once a Scholarship has been terminated, it cannot 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. 

FOR POSTGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS:

7. Eligibility for Progression 

a. Progression is subject to attending and passing the annual progress evaluation. 

8. Leave Arrangements

a. The Scholarship recipient receives up to 20 working days recreation leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued. However, the student will forfeit any unused leave remaining when the Scholarship is terminated or complete. Recreation leave does not attract a leave loading and the supervisor's agreement must be obtained before leave is taken.

b. The Scholarship recipient may take up to 10 working days sick leave each year of the Scholarship and this may be accrued over the tenure of the Scholarship. Students with family responsibilities, caring for sick children or relatives, or experiencing domestic violence, may convert up to five days of their annual sick leave entitlement to carers leave on presentation of medical certificate(s). Students taking sick leave must inform their supervisor as soon as practicable.

9. Research Overseas

a. The Scholarship recipient may not normally conduct research overseas within the first six months of award.

b. The Scholarship holder may conduct up to 12 months of their research outside Australia. Approval must be sought from the student's supervisor, Head of School and the Faculty via application to the Higher Degree by Research Administration Centre (HDRAC), and will only be granted if the research is essential for completion of the degree. All periods of overseas research are cumulative and will be counted towards a student's candidature. Students must remain enrolled full-time at the University and receive approval to count time away.

10. 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 and/or tuition fees.

11. 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. if the recipient ceases to be a full-time student and prior written approval has not been obtained to hold the Scholarship on a part-time basis from the Head of School and Dean, Sydney Conservatorium of Music,

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

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

VI. 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.

12. 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 (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 Code of Conduct for Students 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.