Support Fund for Students with a Disability

1. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of (in order):
   1. Responses to the application questions; AND
   2. Academic merit; AND
   3. Financial need.
2. Preference may be given to applicants who are not in receipt of another scholarship.
3. The scholarship shall be awarded on the recommendation of the Student Accessibility & Wellbeing Office Scholarships Committee.
4. The scholarship will be administered by the University of New England.
5. The Selection Committee’s decision is final.

Required Information:

1. Complete the application form which includes the following questions:
   1. Why are you studying your chosen course and what are your career aspirations?
   2. Tell us about your personal strengths and community activities you are involved in. How have you used them to make a difference in the lives of others?
   3. What challenges, such as financial, geographic, or cultural, have you encountered and how have you navigated them?
2. Complete the Financial Need Details Section on the application form
3. Complete the Support Fund Application Form that demonstrates:
   1. What is it about your disability that inhibits your study?
   2. An itemised costing of the funds required which will include a description of how the funds will be used. Applications will only be considered for requests which total $1,000 or more.

Supporting Documents:

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

1. Financial disadvantage:

Note: If you are awarded a scholarship you will be required to supply evidence of your financial situation as described in your application. 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 * 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.

2. Support Fund Application Form:
1. SFSD funds MUST be used to fund items that directly assist the student’s capacity to undertake their studies at UNE. Examples may include:
• Computing hardware or software
• Fees for additional tuition or other assistance
• Travel costs associated with mandatory residential schools held in Armidale
• Specialised assistive devices or assistive technology that help to navigate challenges faced by the applicant.
2. It MUST be clear how requested items will ease difficulties directly associated with the applicant’s disability.
3. The SFSD will NOT fund:
• Medical tests and/or treatment
• Food and utilities
• Textbooks
• Personal financial debt
4. If you require assistance with your application, you should contact the Student Accessibility & Wellbeing Office.
5. Email the completed form to scholarships@une.edu.au and it will be attached to your application.

Payment Conditions:

1. The scholarship is payable into the recipient’s bank account.
2. The scholarship will be paid in up to 1 instalment within 30 days following Trimester 1 census date.
3. Payment will made in Trimester 1 provided there is a minimum enrolment of a minimum 12 credit points in Trimester 1 and a minimum enrolment of 24 credit points across the academic year.
4. If fewer than 24 credit points are demonstrated in the academic year, payment will be withheld until enrolment intentions are made in writing to the Student Scholarships team.

General Conditions:

1. The scholarship is intended for the nominated course and may not be deferred or transferred. If you wish to make any significant changes to your enrolment (e.g. change of degree, study mode and/or load) you must notify Student Scholarships prior to doing so. If you no longer satisfy the criteria and conditions of the scholarship, you may not retain it.
2. Any request to vary the terms and/or conditions of the scholarship must be made via an appeal to the scholarships committee and will be determined at the discretion of the University (in consultation with the donor or other relevant committee).
3. If at any time during the scholarship term the student is found to have committed behavioural misconduct in accordance with the University’s Student Behavioural Misconduct Rules, the scholarship will be terminated and any outstanding payments to be made under the scholarship will not be paid.  You may also be required to repay any instalment already received. Students who are residential college residents are also subject to the Residential College Code of Conduct.
4. On campus students are expected to attend events or participate in activities to promote scholarships, if asked to do so.
5. The applicant permits the University to give some personal details to the relevant Donor/Trustee/Committee/School, who may not be UNE staff. All information gathered will be treated with discretion.
6. Some scholarships may affect other government payments. It is the recipient’s responsibility to seek advice from the relevant government agency.
7. Minor changes may be required to the administrative conditions of this scholarship. If this occurs recipients will be given advance notice in writing. Donors will also be consulted where appropriate.
8. Failure to meet the requirements of these Terms and Conditions may lead to the termination of the scholarship and you being required to repay any instalment already received.