Postgraduate Equity Scholarship in Gender and Cultural Studies

1. Background

a. This Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to postgraduate students who are studying gender studies or cultural studies.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must have an unconditional offer of admission or be currently enrolled to study in Gender and Cultural Studies within the School of Humanities at the University of Sydney in one of the following degrees:

I. Masters by Coursework,
II. Masters by Research, or
III. PhD.

b. Applicants with an unconditional offer of admission for a:

I. Masters by Coursework, must be enrolled to study in Semester 1 in the year of application, or
II. Masters by Research or PhD, must be enrolled to study in Research Period 1 and Research Period 2 in the year of application.

c. Applicants who are enrolled in a Masters by Research or PhD must conduct research in Gender and Cultural Studies.

d. The applicant must demonstrate financial hardship in relation to at least one of the following:

I. 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.
II. low socio-economic status,
III. carer responsibilities,
IV. long-term medical condition/disability (including ongoing effects of abuse)
V. sole-parent responsibilities,
VI. regional or remote disadvantage,
VII. refugee status,
VIII. identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer (LGBTIQ+), and/or
IX. first in the family.

e. Applicants may only be awarded this Scholarship a maximum of four times. This includes:

I. once during a Masters by Coursework degree,
II. twice during a Masters by Research degree, and
III. three times during a PhD degree.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. a personal statement of up to 1,000 words which explains their financial hardship and demonstrates their interest in studying Gender and Cultural studies, and
II. relevant documents to substantiate their financial hardship (if any).

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Head of School, School of Humanities, or their nominated delegate(s) on the recommendation of a Selection Committee convened by the Chair of Gender and Cultural Studies.

4. Value

a. Both full-time and part-time enrolled recipients will receive $6,000.

b. The Scholarship value will be paid as a once-off payment after the coursework census date of the relevant semester.

c. The Scholarship is for commencement in the relevant period of study in which it is offered. It may be deferred for up to a maximum of 6 months with prior approval of the Head of School, School of Humanities.

d. The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another area of research, University school, faculty or university.

e. No other amount is payable.

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

6. 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, or
IV. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave.

b. For research students, the Scholarship will also be terminated:

I. upon submission of the thesis or at the end of the award,
II. upon the recipient having completed the maximum candidature for their degree as per the University of Sydney (Higher Degree by Research) Rule 2011 Policy,
III. if the recipient ceases to meet the eligibility requirements specified for this Scholarship, (other than during a period in which the Scholarship has been suspended or during a period of approved leave).
c. Once the Scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to University error.

d. 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.