Key facts

Domestic students scholarship information
Value (per annum)
$10,000
Duration
Up to 3 years (subject to funding)
New or continuing
New Students
Study Load
Full-time
Study Mode
Online
On campus
Closing date
4 January 2026

This scholarship has been awarded
Applications are no longer being accepted for this scholarship

About this scholarship

Number offered:

4

Description:

The Cec Spence Memorial UNE Country Scholarship recognises the generosity and commitment that Cec Spence demonstrated during his lifetime in supporting students attending UNE.

Cec was a country boy at heart and attended a tiny school near Walcha, NSW. He appreciated the privileges of his secondary education at The Armidale School and at UNE, where he studied Economics (graduating in 1969) and was determined to ensure that other country students enjoyed similar opportunities.

Cec also completed a Bachelor of Financial Administration as a mature-age student and worked for a time as an economics tutor at UNE.

How will the scholarship be paid?

Bank account (100%)

Scholarship Special Conditions:

Recipients seeking the extension of their scholarship for their 4th/5th or Honours year must enquire to the Student Scholarships team prior to the end of Trimester 2 in their third and consequent year of study.

Payment Conditions:

  1. The student shall receive $1,250 per 6 credit points (or equivalent) to a maximum of $10,000 for 48 credit points (or full-time equivalent) per academic year.
  2. The scholarship is payable into the recipient’s bank account.
  3. The scholarship will be paid in up to 3 instalments within 30 days following Trimester 1 and 2 and/or 3 census dates.
  4. Payments will be made in each Trimester provided there is a minimum enrolment across the academic year in the nominated course:
    4.1. The minimum enrolment for full-time is defined at UNE as an enrolment of 48 credit points (or equivalent) in the academic year.
    4.2. Full-time students are expected to complete their course in the minimum period of candidature.
    4.3. Enrolment is required for Trimester 1 and 2 study periods, with Trimester 3 optional.  If a student is not actively enrolled during the T1 and T2 periods and does not have an approved leave of absence from their scholarship, the scholarship may be suspended.
    4.4. If a student is required to repeat a unit, a second scholarship payment will not be made for this unit.
  5. The student must continue to achieve the academic eligibility requirement of GPA 5.0 in each trimester.
  6. The student must submit a brief report upon request each year reporting on progress with their studies and involvement in University life, such as participation in sporting, cultural or community activities.

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 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. Where possible, scholarship recipients are encouraged to attend events or participate in activities that promote scholarships and acknowledge donor support. One such event is the Annual Scholarship Donor Luncheon, typically held in July. Students who require a letter to excuse them from class may request one from the Office of Advancement. If a student is unable to attend the luncheon or similar opportunities, they may instead provide a written or video message to be shared with the donor.
  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. Students may be required to repay any instalment already received.

Note: If you are struggling to meet the requirements of your scholarship, it is important that you contact the Student Scholarships team at scholarships@une.edu.au to discuss your circumstances and they will provide advice and support.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following core and scholarship specific eligibility requirements

Core requirements
Requirement Description
Citizenship

Australian Citizen/Permanent Resident:  The applicant must be an Australian Citizen or permanent resident as defined by the Commonwealth

New or Continuing

New: Year 12 school-leaves and 1-2 year gap-year students

Study Mode

On-campus or online

Study Load

Full-time (48 credit points per academic year)

Course type

Bachelor degree

Scholarship specific requirements
Requirement Description
Academic High Achievers

Students must have achieved an ATAR/UAC ranking or equivalent mark of at least 86.3

Financial Disadvantage

Applicant must be able to demonstrate financial need

(see Supporting Documents/Required Information below)

Regional/Remote Areas

The applicant’s permanent home address is in a Regional or Remote area as defined by the Government Remoteness Tool

Selection:

  1. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of (in order):
    1.1. Academic merit; AND
    1.2. Responses to the application questions; THEN
    1.3. Financial need.
  2. Preference may be given to applicants who:
    a) Come from a permanent home address in the New England or North West regions of NSW;  
    b) are not in receipt of another scholarship.
  3. The scholarship shall be awarded by the University of New England.
  4. The scholarship will be administered by the University of New England.
  5. The Selection Committee’s decision is final.

Before you apply

Before you apply for this scholarship, please ensure you have read and understood the below important information:

Required Information:

  1. Complete the application form which includes the following questions:
    1.1. Why are you studying your chosen course and what are your career aspirations?
    1.2. Tell us about your personal strengths and how you have used them to make a difference in the lives of others. This might include community activities and leadership opportunities that you have been involved in.
    1.3. 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.

The documents listed below are acceptable forms of evidence for 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 by a letter from an accountant that comments on the estimated similarity/differences.

2. Geographic requirement evidence

Evidence to demonstrate that your permanent home address is in a rural or remote location (Regions defined as RA2-5) as defined by the Government Remoteness Tool. This may be in the form of bills or official correspondence to your address, schools you were enrolled at, or a signed statement from a rural community leader (e.g. previous employer, doctor, school principal) validating the location and period of your residence.

Contact Student Scholarships