USSC Undergraduate Equity Scholarship in American Studies

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established to provide support to students majoring in American Studies at the University of Sydney who are experiencing financial hardship.

b. This Scholarship is funded by the United States Studies Centre (the Centre).

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission or being currently enrolled full-time in an undergraduate coursework degree at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be majoring in American Studies.

c. Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship based on one or more of the below:

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 LGBTIQ+, and/or

IX. are a first-generation university student.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,

II. an interview, and

III. a personal statement that demonstrates:

i. why they are studying American Studies,

ii. a commitment to studying American Studies, and

iii. the impact their financial hardship has on their studies.

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

I. Academic Director and Chair of American Studies, or

II. their nominated delegates, and

III. at least one other academic from the Centre.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $10,000 per annum and is tenable for up to one year.

b. Recipients approved to hold the Scholarship part-time will receive the Scholarship valued at $5,000 per annum and is tenable for up to 2 years.

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

d. Deferral and suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted without the prior permission of the Academic Director and Chair of American Studies.

e. The Scholarship is not transferable to another University school, faculty, university, course or major.

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 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.

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 of the Academic Director and Chair of American Studies,

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 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.

7. Other requirements

a. The recipient must provide the Academic Director and Chair of American Studies with reliable contact details for the duration of their academic year.