Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Postgraduate Scholarship for Asylum Seekers and Refugees

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences to financially support an asylum seeker or refugee commencing a postgraduate coursework degree at the University of Sydney.

2. Eligibility

a. This Scholarship is offered subject to applicants having an unconditional offer of admission to study up to 1.5 years full-time in postgraduate coursework CRICOS registered degree in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney.
b. Applicants must hold asylum seeker status in Australia including one of the following Australian visas (or equivalent) at the time of application:

I. Bridging Visa A (subclass 010),
II. Bridging Visa E (subclass 050),
III. Temporary Protection Visa (Subclass 785),
IV. Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (Subclass 790),
V. Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786), or
VI. Temporary Humanitarian Stay (subclass 449).

c. Applicant will be enrolled as an international student* at the University of Sydney.
*as defined by the Higher Education Support Act 2003.
3. Selection Criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of a personal statement describing the applicant’s personal circumstances.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by the selection committee consisting of the:
I. Associate Dean of Postgraduate Programs, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences or,
II. Their nominated delegates.

4. Value

a. This Scholarship will provide the recipient with the following benefits:

I. up to $50,000 per annum towards University course fees (this will be paid directly to the University),
II. the cost of a standard single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) that provides coverage for the student. The duration will be from the time of the award, and it will be organised by the University of Sydney. This scholarship will not provide OSHC for any other person or dependents.
III. up to $12,000 per annum towards the successful recipient’s living expenses (this will be paid in two instalments after the census date of each semester), and
IV. Student Services Amenities Fee (SSAF) as determined by the University.

b. The total Scholarship value is tenable for the duration of the recipient’s approved course.

c. Deferral of the scholarship is not permitted without prior approval from the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The maximum period of any deferral will be 12 months.

d. The Scholarship is transferable to another eligible degree within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

e. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another Faculty or University.

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

g. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. The recipient must maintain a minimum mark of 50 of all subjects enrolled 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.

c. The recipient must fulfil eligibility 2(b) and 2(c) as stated in this document.

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. no longer fulfil eligibility 2 (b) and 2 (c),
II. withdraws from an approved course or fails to enrol,
III. becomes a domestic student before the relevant census date,
IV. commences part-time study without prior approval from the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences,
V. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance as stated under clause 5 of this scholarship’s terms and condition
VI. 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,
VII. accepts an alternative scholarship, administered by the University of Sydney,
VIII. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave.
IX. In any other provision as indicated in these terms and conditions 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 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.