Oorala Wellbeing Scholarship

Background

The Oorala Aboriginal Centre, in collaboration with UNE’s Student Accessibility & Wellbeing office, developed the Oorala Wellbeing Scholarship. We have a shared vision to improve access to the UNE experience for everyone, regardless of their background or current situation.

The Accessibility & Wellbeing office supports students who are living with a disability or health condition, carers of a family member, elite athletes, ADF and SES personnel, living remotely, incarcerated, or do not have access to reliable internet and online technology.

Details

Value:$500
Payment method: Bank account
Number awarded:Various - minimum of 10
Duration:One-off payment
Study Mode: On campus / Online
Study Load:Full time / Part-time (minimum 24 credit points in the academic year)
Course Type:Enabling programs
Undergraduate including Honours
Postgraduate
School/Discipline:N/A
New/Continuing requirement: New and Continuing
Residential requirement:N/A
Application Closing Date:Ongoing until 1 November 2024 (subject to funding availability)

Who can apply?
  1. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander: The applicant must identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and provide documentation according to the University’s Confirmation of Aboriginality and Torres Strait Islander Identity Rule
  2. Applicant has a registered Student Access Plan with the UNE Accessibility and Wellbeing Office
Selection criteria

    1. Preference may be given to applicants not in receipt of another scholarship.

    2. Regional/Remote: Preference will be given to applicants residing in a regional or remote location as defined by the Government Remoteness Tool.

    3. Financial Disadvantage: Preference will be given to those who can demonstrate financial need.

    4. Previous recipients of the Oorala Wellbeing Scholarship can reapply in subsequent years but priority will be given to new applicants who have not been in receipt of this scholarship.

    5. The scholarship shall be awarded on the recommendation of the Indigenous Scholarships Committee and administered by the UNE Alumni Relations and Student Scholarships team.

    6. The Selection Committee’s decision is final.

Supporting documents/Required information

The listed documents are acceptable forms of evidence in each of the following criteria:

  1. Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander: Students will be required to provide evidence of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status as per the relevant policy.
  2. Financial Need:
    1. Complete the Financial Need details section of the UNE Scholarship Application Form
    2. The applicant should attach evidence to support financial need, which may be one or more of the following (as determined in Financial Need Details section of application form):
    • Evidence of your income/expected income
    • Evidence of most recent and regular Centrelink/payments
    • Evidence of partners income
    • Evidence of parents’/guardians’ income/s

    Evidence of income can include:

    • Income Tax Returns*
    • Regular payslips
    • Centrelink Statement/s
    • A letter from an authorised person (e.g. community leader, school principal, minister of religion, accountant) that comments on your financial circumstances

    3. *Note: if the most recent financial year income information is not available, previous financial year income information may be used and must be accompanied with a letter from an accountant that comments on the estimated similarity/differences.

  3. A registered Student Access Plan (SAP) with UNE Accessibility and Wellbeing Office or gives permission for this to be confirmed with the Accessibility and Wellbeing Office by Student Scholarships staff.
How to apply

Applications for the Oorala Wellbeing Scholarship should be made through the Application for University of New England Scholarship/s Form.

Only complete applications will be processed, so please ensure that you have submitted all required documentation with your application. The Scholarships team will notify you via email when your application has been processed.

Conditions

General Conditions

  1. The scholarship is payable into the recipient’s bank account in one instalment within 30 days of the approval of the application.
  2. Any request to vary the conditions of the scholarship must be made in writing and will be determined at the discretion of the Alumni Relations and Student Scholarships Team (or other relevant committee).
  3. The Scholar may be required to attend the annual scholarships donor event if they are invited to do so, and may be asked to participate in activities to promote this scholarship and other scholarships in general, including public speaking, donor liaison, media interviews and photographs.
  4. Some scholarships may affect other government payments (e.g. Centrelink). It is the recipient’s responsibility to seek advice from the relevant government agency.
  5. From time to time minor changes may be required to the administrative conditions of this scholarship. If this occurs recipients will be given advanced notice in writing.
  6. Failure to meet the requirements of these terms and conditions may lead to the termination of the scholarship and your being required to repay any instalment already received.

Scholarship Specific Conditions

  1. By applying for this scholarship, the Applicant confirms that they have a registered Student Access Plan (SAP) with UNE Accessibility and Wellbeing Office and give permission for this to be confirmed with the Accessibility and Wellbeing Office by Student Scholarships staff.
Acceptance

In accepting the Oorala Wellbeing Scholarship, the recipient acknowledges that they have read, understand and accept the terms and conditions outlined above.