Janet O'Connor Postgraduate Scholarship

1. Background

a. Established in 2015, this Scholarship has been bequeathed to the University of Sydney by Janet O’Connor to assist female students to further their study of writing or related topics.

2. Eligibility

a. This Scholarship is offered subject to applicants having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled full-time in the first year of either a:

I. Master of English Studies, or

II. Master of Creative Writing.

b. Applicants must be female.

c. Applicants are not eligible if they are transferring from a Graduate Diploma in English Studies or Graduate Diploma in Creative Writing.

d. Applicants are not eligible if they are receiving another scholarship offered by the University to undertake the proposed study.

e. No separate application is required for this Scholarship.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic achievement prior to commencing the Master of English Studies or Master of Creative Writing.

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

I. Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English,

II. Chair of English and Writing or 

III. their nominated delegate(s).  

4. Value

a. A full-time recipient will receive $10,000 per annum for up to three semesters.

b. A recipient who is approved to hold this Scholarship on a part-time basis will receive $5,000 per annum for up to six semesters.

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. The scholarship cannot be transferred 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.

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 approval from the Head of School, School of Art, Communication and English,

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