James Strong-Dymocks Scholarship for Australian Literature

1. Background

a. Established in 2013, this Scholarship has been generously donated by Dymocks Pty Ltd in memory of James Strong. The purpose of the Scholarship is to provide financial assistance to a student studying Australian Literature at the University of Sydney.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicants having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled full-time in their first semester of an undergraduate degree within the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.

b. Applicants must be studying a major in English or Indigenous Studies. 

c. Applicants must intend to enrol into at least one Australian Literature or Indigenous Studies unit of study each year for up to 3 years.  

d. Applicants must be an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. results of the applicants’ Higher School Certificate (HSC) in English, or equivalent, and

II. a personal statement demonstrating the applicant’s commitment to undertaking studies in Australian Literature.

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by a selection committee consisting of the: 

I. Chair of English and Writing, and

II. two members in English.

4. Value

a. A recipient enrolled full-time will receive the scholarship valued at $12,000 per annum for up to 3 years. 

b. Requests to hold the Scholarship part-time will be approved under exceptional circumstances such as documented medical condition which limits the student’s capacity to undertake full-time study. Such requests must be approved by the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English. If a part-time scholarship is approved, payment will be 50% of the amount of the normal semester payment.

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

d. Deferral and/or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English.

e. Recipients who transfer to another degree within the Faculty of Arts and Social Science may also transfer their scholarship with the written approval of the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English.

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

g. 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. Recipient must enrol into a minimum of one Australian Literature or Indigenous Studies unit of study each year.

c. Recipient must remain enrolled in an English or Indigenous Studies major. 

d. 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 from the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English,

III. does not enrol into a minimum of one Australian Literature or Indigenous Studies unit of study in each year,

IV. does not maintain enrolment in an English or indigenous Studies major,

V. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance, 

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, valued at $8,000 per annum or more if enrolled full-time or $4,000 per annum or more if enrolled part-time for the same purpose as this Scholarship, or

VIII. 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.