The Nick van Gelder Dreamers Scholarship

The purpose of The Nick van Gelder Dreamers Scholarship is to support undergraduate commencing students studying in the fields relevant to infrastructure including but not limited to finance, commerce, economics, engineering, constructure, environmental science or law at the University of Sydney. 

1. Eligibility criteria

Applicant who:

a. is a domestic applicant and is commencing an undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney as defined in the Coursework Policy 2021.

b. is able to demonstrate financial disadvantage.

2. Selection criteria

a. The scholarship is offered to students who meet the eligibility criteria and will be assessed on the below criteria:

I. academic merit,

II. financial disadvantage, and 

III. a personal statement that details the following:

a) their interest to pursue a career in infrastructure,

b) their leadership skills, involvement in extracurricular activities, and

c) how a tertiary education will enable them to fulfil their goals.

b. The scholarship will be awarded by a selection committee chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or their nominated delegate. The selection committee may include relevant Faculty representatives.

3. Value

a. The scholarship provides a cash payment of AUD$25,000 per year and is tenable for the published full-time duration of the recipient’s undergraduate (single or combined) degree up to a maximum total duration of 5 years full-time study or part-time equivalent.

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

c. The scholarship does not cover appended Honours degrees.

d. The scholarship does not cover any postgraduate studies, such as a Master of Nursing or Doctor of Medicine, even if taken as part of a vertically integrated combined degree.

4. Ongoing eligibility 

To continue receipt of the scholarship, the recipient must: 

a. maintain a minimum Semester Average Mark (SAM) of 65 each semester.

b. remain enrolled in an undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney after relevant census dates in each relevant teaching period; and

c. if undertaking an exchange program during the tenure of the Scholarship, achieve a ‘Satisfied Requirements’ (SR) grade.

5. Part-time study

a. The scholarship can be held whilst studying part time, subject to meeting ongoing requirements of the recipient’s course.

b. Recipients will receive 50% of the full-time payment of the scholarship if they enrol part-time (less than 18 credit points) in a semester.

6. Deferral and suspension

a. Deferral of the scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided the recipient obtains approval from the University to defer their degree.

b. Suspension of the scholarship is permitted for up to two semesters provided the recipient is permitted to, or obtains approval to, suspend their degree.

c. Requests for deferral or suspension of the scholarship for more than two semesters will be considered, and if appropriate approved, on a case-by-case basis by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) or their nominee.

d. The recipient must contact the Scholarships Office at least two months before the end of their deferral or suspension period to request reinstatement of the scholarship. Failing to do so may result in the scholarship being terminated. 

7. Transfer of degree

a. The scholarship is transferable to another undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney, provided the recipient obtains approval from the University to transfer.

8. Privacy

a. Personal information about recipients collected by the University will be managed in accordance with the University’s privacy obligations. See our student privacy statement for more information.

9. Termination

a. The scholarship may be terminated if a recipient:

i. withdraws from an eligible award course or fails to enrol;

ii. does not meet the eligibility or ongoing eligibility criteria for the scholarship;

iii. unless approval is granted by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor or their nominee, is a holder of an alternative scholarship administered by the University valued at $8,500 or more per year, excluding accommodation, tuition fee offset or exchange scholarships; 

iv. fails to enrol at the end of permitted or approved deferral or suspension; 

v. exceeds the maximum total duration of study supported by the Scholarship; or

vi. is found guilty of misconduct.

b. Once the scholarship has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to administrative error.