Education – Continuing Student (Equity)

Many students experience difficulty with the costs of living and studying. This scholarship aims to assist students who experience financial difficulty arising from having limited income (eg reliance on Centrelink benefits, caring for others, high medical costs, etc).

The Faculty of Education will offer a scholarship to a continuing student enrolled in any Bachelor of Education degree program at the University of Southern Queensland.

Scholarship Value

The scholarship has a value of $2,500 ($500 per semester for five [5] semesters). The scholarship will be used for the purchase of prescribed textbooks, stationery or equipment for use in connection with the student's program and/or for attendance at one professional development activity related to the student's program of study, approved by the Associate Dean (Academic). Normally, purchase of books and stationery would be through the USQ Bookshop, though other arrangements may be considered by the Faculty.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

Be currently enrolled at USQ in a Bachelor of Education degree.
Have completed their first year of full-time study.
Intend to continue full-time enrolment at USQ until completion of a Bachelor of Education degree.

Conditions

Students already holding other undergraduate scholarships may be deemed ineligible.
Successful applicants who are offered other scholarships may be required to relinquish one of the offers.
Applicants must meet the following selection criteria:
Satisfactory performance at first-year level;
Perceived potential to satisfactorily complete a Bachelor of Education degree;
Evidence of financial hardship;
Perceived benefit from receipt of the Undergraduate Continuing Scholarship for Education.
The selection panel may decide to interview some candidates.
Any other scholarship, bursary, award or benefit to which the applicant is entitled will also be taken into account.
A satisfactory level of academic achievement is expected.
The allocation will be available for the purchase of prescribed textbooks, stationery and appropriate equipment, including second-hand goods, in accordance with USQ purchasing regulations. There will be no cash allocation.
The scholarship will be forfeited if:
the recipient fails any courses in the program; and/or
the recipient cancels their enrolment in the program and/or
the recipient changes their program of study to a degree program offered by another Faculty.
The decision of the selection panel is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Selection Criteria

Demonstrate sustained satisfactory achievement in university studies.
Demonstrate financial hardship (applicants must complete a Financial Report).
Demonstrate through a philosophy statement, your understanding of:
Children/students as learners;
The multiple roles of the teacher;
The importance of cultural and social sensitivities;
Inclusive education; and
Curriculum.
Demonstrate valuable contribution to the university community and fellow students.
Demonstrate leadership among fellow students.

Further Information

What documents should I attach to show financial hardship?

This is a combination of material that helps to accurately show that you and your family have difficulty funding your tertiary study due to financial constraints.

These documents could include:

certified copies of your health care card, or your pension concession card
documentation which proves that you receive Youth Allowance, AUSTUDY or ABSTUDY or another means-tested government benefit
an employer's statement of your income and earnings
a taxation return for the previous financial year
a copy of your parents' Family Tax Benefit statement if you are dependent and under 25
weekly budget

All information and documentation supplied by you will be treated confidentially. It will only be disclosed to those people who are involved in the selection process. Please do not send originals as they will not be returned.

Applications

To ensure the selection criteria are met applicants must provide the following information:

State their reasons for applying for the scholarship and how they believe they would benefit from receipt of the scholarship.
Provide evidence of sustained satisfactory achievement in their university studies.
Provide evidence of financial hardship (applicants must complete a Financial Report).
Provide a philosophy statement (one typed page or equivalent) (refer to selection criteria 2).
Provide evidence of their valued contribution to their fellow students, the university community and leadership.
Provide information about any other scholarship, bursary, award or benefit to which they are entitled.

To apply for this scholarship, you must foward a completed Continuing students application form 2009 (PDF* 45 kb) to:

The Scholarship Officer
Student Service
USQ
Toowoomba, QLD 4350.

Closing date

The closing date for applications is Friday 30 October 2009.

Further information

For further information please contact Melanie Cameron