Southern Cross University Scholarships Now On Offer

Southern Cross University has advised students intending to apply for a scholarship to start early on their applications.

Southern Cross University is offering a number of new scholarships to high school leavers who'll be commencing their first year of undergraduate studies at the University in 2003. Additionally, scholarships sponsored by the national Koori Mail newspaper are open to Indigenous students who may be non-school leavers.

Southern Cross University's Marketing Director, Shaun McDonagh, said he'd encourage all school-leavers who'd had good results in their studies so far, and who were thinking of enrolling at Southern Cross University, to apply early for a scholarship.

"We sometimes find that students underestimate the results they're likely to achieve and the efforts they've put into their studies, but it's too late once applications have closed," he said.

The University has offered a range of undergraduate scholarships since 1995 to attract Australia's best and brightest students, and successful applicants have come from local areas as well as interstate.

The Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship award offered by Southern Cross University provides recipients with $5,000 per year for three years of full-time study in the course of their choice.
Industry Scholarships range from $2,000 to $5,000 per year for three years, and are funded by local and national businesses or organisations.

A number of Residential Scholarships valued at $3,000 are also available, providing one year's free on-campus accommodation.

Selection for a Vice-Chancellor's or Industry Scholarship is based upon outstanding academic achievement, personal maturity and social responsibility as evidenced by contributions to school or college and community life, and by the comments of the School or College Principal or nominee.

Applicants for the Residential Scholarships must have completed their HSC (or equivalent) during the last five years, and these scholarships are awarded on academic merit and/or excellence of performance in an area relevant to the course of study chosen by the student.

Mr McDonagh said some businesses sponsoring Industry Scholarships look for students choosing studies in a specific area relevant to their industry with a view to future staff development and recruitment.

"Other sponsors seek to assist a student from a disadvantaged economic or social background," he said.

A panel of senior University staff assesses the applications each year and successful applicants are notified immediately after the HSC/Senior Certificate (or equivalent) results are published.

Application forms are sent out to Careers Advisers and Guidance Officers at high schools and colleges throughout Australia in September, but they are also available on the University's web site, [http://scu.edu.au /scholarships].

Information on Southern Cross University scholarships is also available from the University's Marketing and External Relations Directorate; telephone (02) 6620 3975, or email: scholarships@scu.edu.au.