The Pinnacle Women in Finance Scholarship

1. Background

a. Pinnacle Investment Management is a leading Australian-based multi-affiliate investment management firm with a mission to establish, grow and support a diverse stable of world-class investment management firms.

b. Pinnacle has generously provided the University this scholarship to address the gender disparities in investment management.

2. Eligibility

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

b. Applicants must be female-identifying students enrolled in the Bachelor of Commerce (combined degrees included) at the University of Sydney in their second year (or equivalent).

c. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum Semester Average Mark (SAM) of 75 each preceding semester. This requirement can be waived by the University in the event of the applicant having experienced extenuating circumstances.

d. Previous recipients of this scholarship are not eligible.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit;
II. a personal statement demonstrating an interest in a career in finance or investment management; and
III. an interview.
IV. Preference will be given to students who can demonstrate financial hardship.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Dean based on a recommendation by a selection committee consisting of two representatives from the Discipline of Finance or their nominee(s) and a representative from Pinnacle Investment Management.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $10,000 p.a. and is tenable for two years.

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

c. Non-financial benefits include, but are not limited to, access to tutoring provided by the Scholarship’s Tutorial Fund.

d. This Scholarship is not deferrable, and it is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university with prior approval.

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

f. 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 75 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,
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 scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney, valued at $8,000 per annum or more for the same purpose as this Scholarship,
VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. any other provision as indicated in these terms that would lead to termination.

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 withdraws from the relevant course, the University reserves the right to request that any Scholarship funds paid to the Scholarship recipient be reimbursed.