Marie Olive Armstrong Scholarship for Indigenous Students
Highlights
| Value | Eligibility | Open date | Close date |
|---|---|---|---|
| $8,000 p.a. (up to 5 years) |
|
See 'How to Apply' |
How to apply
Not opening for applications in 2024.
Apply here.
Benefits
This scholarship is valued at $8,000 per year and is tenable for the published full-time duration of the recipient’s degree (single or combined) up to a maximum total duration of 5 years full-time study or part-time equivalent.
Who's eligible
You must:
- have an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled in a coursework degree at the University of Sydney
- be either undertaking studies in the field of:
- music, performance or dance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, or
- visual art, creative writing, poetry or theatre and performance studies in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
- Identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person as per University of Sydney Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy 2015
- able to demonstrate financial disadvantage.
Background
Marie Olive Armstrong was a passionate advocate for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1986 for service to the community. Marie had a deep commitment to equality, particularly with regards Aboriginal Australians and this commitment developed across her long life (1928-2020).
Marie was one of the early readers of the poetry of Aunty Oodgeroo Noonuccal (1920 - 1993). She engaged with the Black Theatre and the work of Brian Syron, attending workshops and acting classes held at the Black Theatre Arts & Cultural Centre (1972-1977). She also engaged with the vocational educational and training activities of Tranby College.
For over 70 years Marie was an active member of the Sydney New Theatre and took on many roles in this community theatre including acting, directing, and general leadership. It was through this organisation that Marie’s awareness of social justice, Aboriginal issues and Aboriginal rights really developed.
Marie’s in-perpetuity scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander students for studies in music, visual art, theatre and performance, dance, creative writing or poetry seeks to make a better future by empowering Indigenous Australians
This Scholarship was established in 2021 to provide financial support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking studies in the fields of music, visual art, performance, dance, creative writing or poetry at University of Sydney.
1. Background
a. This Scholarship was established in 2021 to provide financial support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students undertaking studies in music, visual art, performance, dance, creative writing or poetry at the University of Sydney.
b. This Scholarship is funded by a gift from the late Marie Olive Armstrong.
2. Eligibility
a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled in a coursework degree at the University of Sydney.
b. Applicants must be either undertaking studies in the fields of:
I. music, performance or dance at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, or
II. visual art, creative writing, poetry or theatre and performance studies in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
c. Applicants must identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.
d. Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial disadvantage.
3. Selection Criteria
a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of:
I. financial disadvantage, and
II. a personal statement describing how the scholarship will assist in their studies, and
III. a personal reflection on their academic journey and the arts as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person.
b. Preference will be given to applicants who identify as female and belong to a rural, regional or remote geographical area as described by the Australian Government.
c. The Scholarship will be awarded by a selection committee consisting of the:
I. the Deputy Vice Chancellor - Indigenous Strategy and Services (DVC-ISS) (Chair) or their nominated delegate,
II. at least one Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services (AD-ISS),
III. the Director, Gadigal Centre, and
IV. a Gadigal Centre Advancement Officer.
e. At least half the members of the selection committee must be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.
4. Value
a. The scholarship provides a cash payment of AUD$8,000 per year and is tenable for the published full-time duration of the recipient’s degree (single or combined) up to a maximum total duration of 5 years full-time study or part-time equivalent.
b. Recipients will receive 50% of the full-time payment of the scholarship if they enrol part-time (less than 18 credit points) in a semester.
c. The Scholarship annual value will be paid in two equal instalments after the census date of each semester.
d. The Scholarship will be offered subject to the availability of funds.
e. No other amount is payable.
5. Deferral and suspension
a. Deferral of the scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided the recipient obtains approval from the University to defer their degree.
b. Suspension of the scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided the recipient is permitted to, or obtains approval to, suspend their degree.
c. Requests for deferral or suspension of the scholarship for more than two semesters will be considered, and if appropriate approved, on a case-by-case basis by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services) or their nominee.
6. Transfer of degree
a. The scholarship is transferable to another coursework degree at the University of Sydney, provided the recipient obtains approval from the University to transfer.
b. If a student transfers degrees, the scholarship duration will be the duration of the recipients new degree minus any time the student has previously held the scholarship.
7. Privacy
a. Personal information about recipients collected by the University will be managed in accordance with the University’s privacy obligations. See our Privacy webpage for more information.
b. Scholarship recipients who do not meet or are identified as being at risk of not meeting academic progression requirements may be contacted by the University to offer academic and other student support services.
8. Ongoing eligibility
a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must maintain a minimum Semester Average Mark (SAM) of 50 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.
9. Termination
a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:
I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,
II. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance,
III. 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,
IV. 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, or
V. 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.