Rural Sustainability Scholarship

1. Background

a. Established in 2015, this Scholarship supports undergraduate students experiencing rural or remote disadvantages and who have a passion for sustainability in natural and agricultural systems, including the areas of carbon, water and food security.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant being a recent school leaver and having an unconditional offer of admission in full-time in one of the following undergraduate degrees within the Faculty of Science at the University of Sydney:

I. the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Agriculture), or
II. the Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Food and Agribusiness).

b. Applicants must have a rural or remote primary residential address as defined by the Australian Government Doctor Connect classifications as inner regional, outer regional, remote or very remote.

c. Applicants must be able to demonstrate financial and/or any other relevant hardship.

d. Applicants who have deferred or have undertaken a gap year are not eligible.

3. Selection Criteria

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

I. inner regional, outer regional, remote/very remote status as determined by the Australian Government Doctor Connect classifications,
II. supporting documentation and a personal statement which provides evidence financial hardship, and any other relevant hardships, and,
III. a personal statement detailing the applicant’s passion for sustainability in natural and agricultural systems, including the areas of carbon, water and food security.

b. Preference may be given to an applicant based on ATAR or equivalent.

c. The Scholarship will be awarded on the nomination of the Dean of the Faculty of Science, or their nominee.

4. Value

a. The Scholarship is valued at $6,000 per annum and is tenable for up to three years only.

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 the prior permission of the Dean of the Faculty of Science or their nominated delegate, and it is not transferable to another University school, faculty or university.

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

e. 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 65 each semester.

b. Recipients must remain enrolled in one of the eligible degree programs full-time unless prior approval is sought to study part-time, due to extenuating circumstances such as a medical condition that limits the recipient’s capacity to study full-time

c. 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,
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 $8,300 per annum or more for the same purpose as this Scholarship,
VI. does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave, or
VII. any other provision as indicated in these terms that would lead to termination.

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.