The Winifred Margaret Neirous Memorial Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established in 1991 to encourage and assist female students studying structural engineering in the School of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

b. This Scholarship is funded by a donation from Maurice A. Neirous.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be female, as stipulated in the deed of gift.

b. Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial need.

c. Applicants must qualify for entry into the Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil Engineering) degree in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney.

d. Applicants enrolling into combined degrees are not eligible for this Scholarship.

e. Recipients must enrol full-time in the Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil Engineering) degree in the semester immediately following award of this scholarship and must declare a specialisation in ‘Structures’ by the first census date. 

f. If the scholarship is not awarded to a commencing student, applications will be opened to students who are currently enrolled full-time in the Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil Engineering), Structures specialisation, within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Sydney. Currently enrolled applicants must have achieved a weighted average mark (WAM) of 65 or above.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit based on the applicant’s performance in the NSW HSC or equivalent, 

II. supporting documentation and a personal statement which provides evidence of financial need and any other relevant hardship, and

III. a personal reference from a person known to the applicant, in a position of authority (school principal/teacher/community leader/church leader/employer), confirming that the applicant is diligent and of good conduct.

b. Where applications have been opened to enrolled students, academic merit will be based on the applicant’s weighted average mark (WAM). 

c. Where two or more applicants are ranked equally for academic merit, the Scholarship will be awarded to the applicant in greater financial need.

d. Shortlisted applicants are required to attend an interview with the selection committee consisting of academic staff members in the area of structural engineering within the School of Civil Engineering, and the donor, or their nominated delegate/s.

e. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Associate Dean (Education), Faculty of Engineering, or their nominated delegate.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $6,000 per annum and is tenable for up to 4 years. If awarded to a currently enrolled student, the Scholarship is tenable for the remaining candidature of the eligible degree.

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

c. Deferral and/or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Associate Dean (Education), Faculty of Engineering, or their nominated delegate.

d. The Scholarship is not transferable to another School, Faculty or University. 

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

f. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must remain enrolled full-time in the Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil Engineering), ‘Structures’ specialisation, and 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. withdraws from the ‘Structures’ specialisation within the Bachelor of Engineering Honours (Civil Engineering),

III. commences part-time study, 

IV. does not maintain satisfactory academic performance, 

V. 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, 

VI. accepts an alternative scholarship administered by the Faculty of Engineering or any School within the Faculty of Engineering, valued at $6,000 per annum or more for the same purpose as this scholarship. The exception to this is where the recipient is awarded a placement scholarship, in which case this scholarship will be suspended for the duration of the placement. It will be reinstated at the completion of the placement if there is any scholarship candidature remaining. The value of this scholarship for the period of the placement will be forfeited, or

VII. 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.