Sydney Dental Hospital Indigenous Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established in 2019 to provide assistance to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students studying dentistry or oral health at the University of Sydney with the aim of increasing the representation of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islanders in the dentistry and oral health workforce.

b. This Scholarship is funded by the Sydney Local Health District.

2. Eligibility

a. Applicants must be currently enrolled full-time in the Bachelor of Oral Health or the Doctor of Dental Medicine Program at the University of Sydney.

b. Applicants must be an Australian Citizen.

c. Applicants must identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person as per University of Sydney Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy 2015.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. academic merit,

II. a personal statement, and 

III. evidence of community engagement. 

b. The Scholarship will be awarded by the Head of School and Dean of the Sydney Dental School, or their nominated delegate(s), on the recommendation of the selection committee consisting of:

I. the nominated Indigenous Lead from Sydney Dental School, 

II. a representative from Sydney Dental Hospital, and 

III. a Centre for Oral Health Strategy NSW Aboriginal Oral Health Policy Analyst, or equivalent.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $17,000 per annum and is tenable for up to one year. 

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

c. Deferral of the Scholarship is not permitted without prior approval. 

d. The scholarship cannot be suspended.

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 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,

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. is awarded and accepts an alternative scholarship valued at $8,000 per annum or more that provides a living allowance. In such circumstances this scholarship will be terminated in favour of the alternative scholarship where the alternative scholarship is of higher value, 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 successful recipient must in their best efforts be available to meet a member of the Sydney Local Health District if requested by the Sydney Dental School.