Wandering Warriors Indigenous Veterans Undergraduate Scholarship

The Wandering Warriors Indigenous Veterans Undergraduate Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in descent;
• Are a commencing student enrolled full time or part time in the year of awarding;
• Have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Forces.

The value of the scholarship is $10,000 per year for a maximum of 3 years paid in 2 equal instalments after census date of Study Period 2 and Study Period 1 the following year. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made. Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record from any other post-secondary institution if applicable; and
• Evidence of your PmKeys number to confirm your service in the Australian Defence Force; and
• A copy of your resume; and
• A written statement, no more than 200 words outlining:
  1. Your family background, cultural connections and defense service.
  2. How the scholarship will assist you in completing your studies.
  3. Why you have chosen this specific program.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.
The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquires as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorization for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied. Applicants may be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

Introduction

The Indigenous Veteran’s scholarship has been established to support the transition from military to civilian life for an Australian Indigenous defence force veteran. It is an undergraduate education scholarship to support a student in any field of study.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and payment of the scholarship

The value of the scholarship is $10,000 per year for a maximum of 3 years paid in 2 equal instalments after census date of Study Period 2 and Study Period 1 the following year. Please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment.

Eligibility Criteria

The Wandering Warriors Indigenous Veterans Undergraduate Scholarship is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in descent;
• Are a commencing student enrolled full time or part time in the year of awarding;
• Have served or are serving in the Australian Defence Forces.

Selection Criteria

The Selection Criteria are:

• Impact the scholarship will have on the applicant’s ability to study; and
• The character of the candidate for the award; and
• Any other criteria that the Selection Committee deems appropriate.

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made.

Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your academic record from any other post-secondary institution if applicable; and
• Evidence of your PmKeys number to confirm your service in the Australian Defence Force
• A copy of your resume; and
• A written statement, no more than 200 words outlining:
  1. Your family background, cultural connections and defence service
  2. How the scholarship will assist you in completing your studies
  3. Why you have chosen this specific program.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquiries as to the applicant’s good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant’s academic record, and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship shall be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Deputy Vice Chancellor, Indigenous Education and Strategy, or Head, Indigenous Student Services (CHAIR),
• Two Wandering Warriors representatives.
• **OR a pool of appropriate JCU representatives

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

• not to award a Scholarship in any year, if in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no candidate of sufficient merit to warrant an award;

The Selection Committee may require applicants to undertake an interview as part of their application.
The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Scholarship awardee.

Ongoing eligibility

• The recipient must remain enrolled.
• The recipient must maintain a GPA or 4.0 or above.
• The recipient should engage with IERC Student Support Staff and participate in learning support as prescribed.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• At the end of the academic year, a written report must be submitted to the scholarships office, the template will be sent to you.
• If the recipient defers commencement of their study, the recipient will no longer be eligible for the award.
• If the holder of an award takes an official leave of absence the award will be held for a maximum of 2 semesters.
• If the holder of the award does not meet the ongoing eligibility requirements, they are required to submit a statement of reasons to be reviewed by the Selection Committee for consideration of the scholarship extension. The Committee may decide not to extend the scholarship.
• A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Appeals Policy.

Administration of the Scholarship

• The scholarship shall be administered by Scholarships Office, on behalf of the Selection Committee.
• The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the officer of the University charged with administering the scholarship.
• Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation

Reference: Glossary of Terms