Life Without Barriers & Veolia Scholarships

“Frequently Asked Questions”

Key Dates

Applications open: 30 November 2016

Applications close: 30 December 2016

Applicants notified: 30 January 2017

Information available via: www.lwb.org.au and www.veolia.com.au

Applications available via: www.lwb.org.au

IMPORTANT: Applications submitted after the closing date shown above will not be considered.

What is the aim of this scholarship program?

Life Without Barriers, in partnership with Veolia (referred to as the “Scholarship Providers”), have

established this scholarship program to assist students to successfully enter and complete a

course of study in their chosen field at any tertiary institution in Australia.

The scholarships are specifically designed to assist those students who identify as either

Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

Where possible, preference will be given to applicants currently studying, or intending to study,

courses in the social sciences or environmental streams.

What is the scholarship awarded for?

The scholarship is awarded to individuals (“Scholars”) as a contribution towards the cost of

undertaking tertiary study in Australia and may be used for a range of purposes including (but not

limited to):

living expenses

text books

library and internet charges

on-campus accommodation

residential school expenses (travel/accommodation)

field trip expenses

transport to and from university

computer hardware and software

stationery

scribes and tutors

personal equipment to assist the course of study.

What eligibility criteria apply to a scholarship?

To be eligible to apply for a scholarship, the applicant must:

confirm whether they openly identify, and are recognised as: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander

or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

have obtained written confirmation of enrolment for the proposed Australian tertiary course (if

not already enrolled)

provide two written references, including one reference from the relevant person in their

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community

provide a written outline (approximately 300 words in length) of how a scholarship would help

them achieve their goal of successfully completing their chosen course and develop a

leadership role in their Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community

in the case of an LWB scholarship, have obtained a satisfactory result from LWB’s standard

pre-employment checks (which includes a criminal history check).

If necessary, applicants for an LWB or Veolia scholarship can request assistance from LWB to

complete the written outline referred to above.

Can I apply for an LWB or Veolia scholarship if I’m already receiving educational support?

Receipt of educational funding support from another other non-government organisation (e.g.

another private sector sponsor who is not LWB or Veolia) (a “Third Party Sponsor”) does not

prevent a person applying for an LWB or Veolia scholarship.

However:

applicants who are already receiving, or will receive, educational funding support for their

current/proposed course from a third Party Sponsor must declare that funding as part of their

scholarship application. For clarity, receipt of ABSTUDY (or equivalent government education

support funding) does not need to be declared

the nature and amount of any Third Party Sponsorship will be taken into consideration in

assessing a person’s application for an LWB or Veolia scholarship.

How will my application be assessed?

Applications will be assessed by a Scholarship Selection Panel. Panel members consist of

representatives from Life Without Barriers and Veolia.

All scholarship applications will be assessed on the merits of their written application, references

and in the case of an LWB scholarship, satisfactory completion of the relevant pre-employment

checks.

The Scholarship Selection Panel may, but is not obliged to, conduct interviews with applicants as

part of the application assessment process.

The determination of successful applicants by the Scholarship Selection Panel will be final and no

correspondence will be entered into.

When will I know the outcome of my application?

All applicants will be notified by email by 30 January 2017 regarding whether or not their

application for a Scholarship has been successful.

What is the value of the scholarship?

The scholarship is based on full-time study. Scholarship payments will be calculated on a pro-rata

basis for different study modes such as for part-time students, or those participating in a reduced

academic load for personal reasons.

Successful applicants studying full-time will receive a maximum of $15,000 per annum, paid in two

$7,500 instalments each year, subject to:

receipt of written enrolment confirmation from the relevant tertiary institution each semester

(based on a two semester course)

successful completion of all subjects undertaken during the relevant year.

If the tertiary institution works under a trimester program, the installments will be $5,000 for each of

the 3 trimesters.

The scholarships are intended to run for the duration, or remainder, of the Scholar’s nominated

course only, subject to acceptable academic progress (see below). Scholarships do not apply to

additional courses that may be pursued after successful completion of the nominated course e.g.

Masters degree, Doctorate, etc.

Does the scholarship include any work experience?

In addition to scholarship payments, Scholars will be offered optional paid casual employment at

their Scholarship Provider as part of their scholarship. If the Scholar wishes to accept this

placement, matters such as the period of time, working hours and the type of work will be agreed

between the Scholarship Provider and Scholar and would likely occur during the extended summer

holiday break.

This component of the scholarship will be overseen by a representative from the Scholarship

Provider’s Human Resources team to ensure Scholars are placed in roles suited to their course of

study and aligned with their future goals, and to ensure all required administrative work to establish

and manage the placement is completed.

Minimum relevant award rates will be used to calculate the wages for this paid work experience.

IMPORTANT:

The work experience arrangement does not include payments for travel and accommodation

expenses if the work location is distant from the Scholar’s home or residence

Scholars will be required to undertake pre-employment checks, as per the Scholarship

Provider’s employment policies, before starting their paid work experience, and the offer of this

experience is subject to those checks being satisfactory

The Scholarship Providers are under no obligation to place Scholars permanently following

successful completion of their course of study. Any opportunity for future employment would

follow the usual employment practices of each Scholarship Provider.

What documents am I required to submit annually?

As a condition of being granted a scholarship, Scholars are required to submit to the following to

their Scholarship Provider by 15 December each year:

a 300 word report - explaining how the scholarship has assisted them to study at their

nominated tertiary institution. That report should also outline what Scholars have achieved in

their course, and how their learnings relate to their future involvement and potential impact on

their own communities

a certified copy of an official academic transcript - that demonstrates successful

completion of the Scholar’s study at their chosen tertiary institution. The transcript must be

commensurate with the Scholar’s approved course

a record of expenses – to show how the scholarship funds have been spent.

If necessary, applicants for an LWB or Veolia scholarship can request assistance from LWB to

complete the annual written reports referred to above.

What if I want to withdraw from my course?

If a Scholar is thinking about withdrawing from their course for any reason, they must speak with

their Scholarship Provider as soon as possible and before any action to withdraw is taken. That

discussion will allow the Scholarship Provider to understand the circumstances surrounding the

potential withdrawal, whether other support or options are available to allow the Scholar to

continue studying and ultimately, whether the Sponsorship Provider consents to a withdrawal and

how scholarship payments are to be treated.

Any final decision to withdraw from a course will require the written consent of the Scholarship

Provider.

If a Scholar withdraws from their course without their Scholarship Provider’s prior written consent:

the Scholar will be required to fully refund any scholarship payment made by their Scholarship

Provider in anticipation of completing the current or upcoming semester

the Scholar’s scholarship will be automatically terminated.

What if I want to change my course or vary my enrolment?

The Scholar cannot change their course (or major) or vary their enrolment in any way (e.g. defer or

move from part-time to full-time study load) and continue the scholarship unless they have the prior

written permission of their Scholarship Provider.

What if I don’t pass a course subject?

Acceptable academic progress in a course is defined as achievement of a minimum “Pass” result

in each subject studied in a semester, with no failures.

If there is a subject failure, this must be advised to the relevant Scholarship Provider within 5 days

of the result becoming available from the tertiary institution.

Each Scholarship Provider reserves the right to:

terminate a scholarship

require repayment of scholarship payments made for upcoming semesters,

due to poor academic progress of the Scholar.

To allow a Scholarship Provider to reach its decision concerning whether termination of the

scholarship is warranted, Scholars may be required to provide information or evidence as to why

their scholarship should not be terminated and funding repaid.

If a scholarship is terminated for any reason, the Scholarship Provider will not be required to make

any further scholarship payments to the Scholar.

Can I transfer my scholarship to another person?

The Scholarship cannot be transferred to another person by the Scholar.

Are there any Tax implications from receiving Scholarship payments?

Scholarship payments will contribute to recipients’ taxable income and may also impact entitlement

to Commonwealth benefits such as ABSTUDY.

Scholarship applicants and/or recipients are encouraged to contact Centrelink, the Australian

Taxation Office (“ATO”) and/or their taxation agent to obtain advice about the implications of the

scholarship payments on their current earnings and benefits.

Information about taxation on scholarships is also available from the ATO website at:

https://www.ato.gov.au/Calculators-and-tools/Is-your-scholarship-taxable/

What may I be asked to do to promote the scholarship?

Scholars may be asked by their Scholarship Provider for the following help to promote the

Scholarships:

participation in media and marketing activity to assist with sharing their story within their own

communities, for the purpose of role modelling and showcasing the benefits of higher

education

being open to responding to invitations from their Scholarship Provider to speak at one of their

functions with staff or other stakeholders. Requests would provide the opportunity to showcase

information about the course of study, or learnings from the workplace/scholarship.

Scholars must obtain prior approval from the Scholarship Provider for any promotional activity or

media engagement they wish to pursue to promote their scholarship, their Scholarship Provider or

this scholarship program.

Further information

For further details on the Life without Barriers / Veolia Scholarship Program, please contact:

Life Without Barriers Veolia

Anaïs Tobalagba Clare Moran

Partnerships Coordinator

Executive General Manager- Human

Resources

E. anais.tobalagba@lwb.org.au E. clare.moran@veolia.com

P. 02 9307 9306 P. 02 8571 0230

Life Without Barriers & Veolia Scholarships

Scholarship Application Form

Applicant Details

PERSONAL DETAILS

Surname: Preferred Name:

First Name: Date of Birth:

Email: Mobile:

Home address:

Please tick if your address details during semester are the same as above. If not, please complete below

Semester address:

How did you hear about the

Scholarship program?

LWB Website

Radio or Newspaper

Social media

Veolia Website

Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander organisation

SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDER DETAILS

Preferred Sponsor: Veolia / Life Without Barriers (delete which is not applicable)

STUDY DETAILS

Institution: Campus:

Course name: Course Code:

Course start date: Number of semesters each calendar year:

Number of full time years to complete course:

THIRD PARTY SPONSORSHIP DETAILS

Do you or will you receive any educational funding support from a third party for your proposed course?

YES / NO

If YES, name of third party: Approx. sponsorship value:

$

Application checklist (tick as items completed):

confirm whether you openly identify, and are recognised as: Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

provide written confirmation of enrolment for your proposed Australian tertiary course

provide two written references including one reference from the relevant person in their Aboriginal

and/or Torres Strait Islander community)

provide a written outline (approximately 300 words in length) of how a scholarship would change

your life and support your goals after successfully completing your chosen course

Applicant’s Statement

I acknowledge and agree that:

I have received a copy of the Life Without Barriers and Veolia Scholarship “Frequently Asked Questions”

document (the “Scholarship FAQ Document”) and have read and had a reasonable opportunity to fully

understand that document

if I am successful in obtaining a scholarship, the requirements set out in the Scholarship FAQ Document, are

incorporated in and form part of my scholarship agreement with the scholarship provider and I am bound by

those requirements during the term of my scholarship

if I fail to comply with any of the requirements or any provision of the Scholarship FAQ Document my

scholarship funding may be terminated, and I may be required to repay scholarship funds paid to me.

SIGNATURE (S)

Signature of Applicant*: Date:

* If you are under 18 years of age at the date of signing, please include your parent/guardian’s signature

Parent/ Guardian signature:

Parent/Guardian name (print):

Please, email your application and supporting documents to: anais.tobalagba@lwb.org.au

_________________________________________________________________________________

Office use only:

If this applicant is successful in obtaining a scholarship, the section below must be signed by an authorised

representative of the Sponsor as confirmation the terms and conditions of the Scholarship FAQ Document will

govern the Sponsor’s grant of the sponsorship to the applicant.

Scholarship Provider's Agreement

Name of Sponsor: Date:

Signature of Authorised Representative:

Name of Authorised Representative:

Title of Authorised Representative: