Key facts
About this scholarship
Benefits:
UNE’s Elite Athlete Scholarship is focused on assisting student athletes in balancing their commitment to high-performance sports with their pursuit of tertiary education. This new scholarship, supported by SAWO, will provide financial support for a year to a disadvantaged high performance athlete student studying at UNE.
Number offered:
1
Description:
The Student Accessibility & Wellbeing Office (SAWO) is dedicated to fostering an inclusive learning environment for UNE's diverse student community by helping students overcome barriers to their studies. This support extends to high performance athletes, ensuring they have strategies in place to prevent any undue academic or financial disadvantages resulting from their sporting commitments.
How will the scholarship be paid?
Bank account (100%)
Payment Conditions:
- The student shall receive $625 per 6 credit points (or equivalent) to a maximum of $5,000 for 48 credit points (or full-time equivalent) per academic year.
- The scholarship is payable into the recipient’s bank account [100%].
- The scholarship will be paid in up to 3 installments within 30 days following Trimester 1 and 2 and/or 3 census dates.
- 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 part-time enrolment for this scholarship is defined as 24 credit points (or equivalent) in the academic year.
4.2. Enrolment is required for Trimester 1 and 2 study periods, with Trimester 3 optional. If there is no active enrolment in these periods and a request for a leave of absence from their scholarship is not made and approved by Student Scholarships, the scholarship may be suspended.
4.3. Should a student be required to repeat any unit, a second scholarship payment will not be made for this unit. - The student must continue to achieve the academic eligibility requirement of 4.0 GPA in each trimester.
General Conditions:
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Some scholarships may affect other government payments. It is the recipient’s responsibility to seek advice from the relevant government agency.
- 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.
- 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
| 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 and Continuing students |
| Study Mode | On-campus or Online |
| Study Load | Full-time (48 credit points per academic year) or part-time (minimum 24 credit points per academic year) |
| Course type | Bachelor's degree (including Honours) |
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Academic High Achievers | For continuing students, applicants must have achieved an average GPA of 4.0 in their course to date. |
| Elite Athlete/High Sporting Achievement | Be an athlete competing at a state level who is recognised by the relevant national sporting body as elite or in possession of development potential |
| Other | The applicant must meet at least one of the following personal conditions:
|
Selection:
- The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of (in order):
1.1. Proven outstanding sporting ability/achievement; AND
1.2. Criteria for disadvantage; THEN
1.3. Responses to the application questions; THEN
1.4. Academic merit.
1.5. The applicant may be required to attend an interview with the selection panel via phone, Zoom or Skype. - Preference may be given to applicants who are not in receipt of another scholarship.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have not previously received a sporting scholarship.
- The scholarship shall be awarded by the University of New England on the recommendation of the UNE Sports Scholarships and Awards Committee.
- The scholarship will be administered by the University of New England.
- 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:
- 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 community activities you are involved in. How have you used them to make a difference in the lives of others?
1.3. What challenges, such as financial, geographic, or cultural, have you encountered and how have you navigated them? This might include community activities and leadership opportunities that you have been involved in. - Criteria for Disadvantage: the applicant must meet at least one of the following personal conditions:
2.1. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander;
2.2. Prior to commencing study, their residential address is Regional or Remote as defined by the Government Remoteness Tool;
2.3. Refugee;
2.4. Living with a disability or special needs;
2.5. From a low to middle income family background, and able to demonstrate financial need;
2.6. Single parent, or the child of a single parent;
2.7. Experienced other disadvantage, including trauma or violence.
Supporting Documents:
- State representation in your chosen sport: Written evidence of your participation as a state representative in your sport, such as a reference from your coach or relevant sporting body.
- Depending on the Criteria for Disadvantage above, the following documents are acceptable forms of evidence in your relevant criteria:
2.1. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander: You identify as an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and provide documentation according to the UNE Confirmation of Aboriginality and Torres Strait Islander Identity Rule.
2.2. Regional/remote address: Evidence to demonstrate that you have recently resided in a regional 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.
2.3. Refugee: Evidence of your refugee category visa (Vevo check, Immicard).
2.4. Living with a disability/special needs: You are registered with the Student Accessibility & Wellbeing Office (SAWO) at UNE.
2.5. Financial Disadvantage
2.6. Single parent, or child of a single parent: Explain your situation in your responses to the application questions and provide relevant document/s pertaining to your situation.
2.7. Other experience of disadvantage: Explain your situation in your responses to the application questions, and provide any relevant documentation pertaining to your situation.
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.
