Gadigal Accommodation Scholarship

1. Background

a. This Scholarship was established to provide assistance to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students studying at the University of Sydney with financial support for accommodation at a University owned or residential college.

2. Eligibility

a. The Scholarship is offered subject to the applicant having an unconditional offer of admission on a full-time basis at the University of Sydney. 

b. Applicants must be of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent as defined in the University of Sydney’s Confirmation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Identity Policy 2015.

c. Applicants are required to live on campus at a University owned or residential college.

3. Selection Criteria

a. The Scholarship will be awarded on the basis of a personal statement demonstrating their need for accommodation and how the scholarship will support their studies. 

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

I. the Deputy Vice Chancellor - Indigenous Strategy and Services (DVC-ISS) (Chair)

II. at least one Associate Dean of Indigenous Strategy and Services (AD-ISS)Director,

III. Gadigal Centre (Chair), and 

IV. at least one staff member selected by the Director, Gadigal Centre. 

c. Preference will be given to applicants from a regional or rural area (as defined by the ASGS Remoteness Areas – 2016).

d. Scholarships at a residential college will require the applicant to have received confirmation of an offer of place at a residential college (this is separate from the scholarship offer).

e. Scholarships at a USYD owned accommodation will require the applicant to have received confirmation of an offer of place from the USYD owned accommodation (this is separate from the scholarship offer).

4. Value

a. The scholarship will cover the costs of accommodation at a University owned or residential college for a total of 40 weeks from the beginning of semester 1 to the end of Semester 2 Recipients will be required to pay $50 a week towards their accommodation. 

b. The scholarship will be paid directly to the USYD owned or residential college accommodation where the student is staying. 

c. The duration of the scholarship will be for one year. The duration of the scholarship may be extended up to a maximum duration of 4 years. 

d. Where the scholarship is extended for one or more years students will need to cover the cost of accommodation if they choose to remain at the accommodation over the end of year break.

e. The scholarship is not transferable to another college throughout the duration of the recipient’s degree. 

f. Deferral and/or suspension of the Scholarship is not permitted unless approved by the DVC-ISS due to extenuating circumstances.

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

h. No other amount is payable.

5. Ongoing eligibility

a. To continue receipt of the scholarship the recipient must apply for Abstudy Residential Costs by contacting Services Australia on 132 490 on receipt of the conditional offer of scholarships. More details are at this link.

I. If the Abstudy Residential Costs are approved for the costs of the accommodation the student will no longer be eligible for the Gadigal Accommodation Scholarship

II. If the Abstudy Residential Costs are not approved for the costs of the accommodation the student will be able to continue to receive the Gadigal Accommodation Scholarship pending meeting all other eligibility requirements

III. Notification of the successful/ unsuccessful application for Abstudy residential costs must be supplied to the Scholarships Office scholarships.office@sydney.edu.au within 8 weeks of the conditional offer of scholarship.

b. To continue receipt of the Scholarship, the recipient must: 

I. engage with the Gadigal Centre, and the Mentoring our Brothers and Sisters (MOBS) Program at the University of Sydney through the duration of their scholarship. 

II. engage with the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) for at least the first year of their studies for at least one subject.

III. maintain a minimum Semester Average Mark (SAM) of at least 50 each semester. 

IV. Adhere to the University of Sydney Student Charter 2020

6. Termination

a. The Scholarship will be terminated if the recipient:

I. withdraws from an eligible course or fails to enrol,

II. does not receive an average semester average mark of 50,

III. commences part-time study, or

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. does not adhere to the University of Sydney Student Charter 2020 

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.