Riawunna College to University Bursary 2015Guiding Principles

Introduction

The University of Tasmania is committed to the ongoing achievement of educational outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Tasmania to be commensurate with the success of other students at UTAS, and recognises and accepts the need to work with all stakeholders for this to be achieved.

Under the Closing the Gap strategy all education institutions are charged with improving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation, advancement and success at all levels of education.

The University is funded by the Commonwealth Government to operate the Riawunna Centre as an Aboriginal Education Unit. The Riawunna Centre supports the aspirations of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to enrol, participate and achieve academic success at University.

At this time just over one percent of Aboriginal people in Tasmania are attending university. UTAS, with the help of Riawunna is determined to bring this percentage to be at parity with the Aboriginal population between 16 and 64 in Tasmania (3.6%).

Riawunna has allocated funding for bursaries to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students finishing Year 10 to progress to College and then to University. This bursary, called the Riawunna College to University Bursary, will be awarded annually to eight (8)Year 10 students for three (3) years to help them and their families defray the costs associated with their education in Years 11, 12 and first year university.

The Riawunna Bursary

The Riawunna Bursary is intended to:

assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in Tasmania with the cost of education in Years 11 and 12 and during the first year of their undergraduate course at the University of Tasmania;

encourage student aspirations to participate in tertiary education; and build relationships with young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to support them in their

pathway to university, and enrol in and complete an undergraduate degree; support students who may not otherwise enrol at University because of economic circumstances.

Terms and Conditions of the Bursary

Eligibility for the Riawunna Bursary

Applicants MUST meet the Commonwealth definition to apply for the Riawunna Bursary.The Commonwealth definition of who is an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person is as follows:

is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent;

who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person; and

is accepted as such by the community in which he/she lives.

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The applicant must also:

be in Year 10 at the time of application and committed to attend Year 11 and 12, then undertake study at the University of Tasmania;

undertake at least two (2) pre-tertiary subjects in both Years 11 and 12; submit a report before the end of Term Two and Term Four on academic and personal progress

including attendance and academic results; have an attendance record of at least 95% for the duration of the Bursary - Year 11 and 12 and in the

first year of university; meet with the Aboriginal Higher Education Officer (AHEO)or other staff from Riawunna at least twice

a year at a Progress Meeting.

Payment of Riawunna Bursary

The total bursary is $2,000.00, to be paid in instalments over the three (3) years of the Bursary. Please note:In accordance with the University of Tasmania policy, the applicant cannot be in receipt of another Bursary or Scholarship while receiving the Riawunna College to University Bursary.

Year 11 The amount of $400 will be paid in two equal instalments:

at the beginning of the Bursary, the first payment of $200 will be made in the third week of Term One in Year 11 on successful enrolment and choice of subjects with at least two pre-tertiary subjects at the College/High School of choice;

The second payment of $200 will be made in the third week of Term Three.o on receipt of a satisfactory academic and attendance report at the end of Term Two. This

report will be given to the Aboriginal Higher Education Officer at the Progress Meeting before the end of Term Two and accepted by the Senior Executive Officer of Riawunna.

Year 12 The amount of $600 will be paid in two equal instalments.

The amount of $300 will be paid in the third week of Term One of Year 12 on:o the receipt of a satisfactory academic and attendance report at the end of Year 11. This

report will be given to the Aboriginal Higher Education Officer at the Progress Meeting before the end of Term Four in Year 11 and accepted by the Senior Executive Officer of Riawunna.

o successful enrolment and choice of subjects with at least two pre-tertiary subjects.

The second payment of $300 will be made in the third week of Term Three.o The payment will be made on receipt of a satisfactory academic and attendance report at

the end of Term Two. This report will be given to the Aboriginal Higher Education Officer at the Progress Meeting before the end of Term Two and accepted by the Senior Executive Officer of Riawunna.

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First Year University The amount of $1,000 will be paid in two equal instalments.

The first payment of $500 will be made in the week after the Census date in March:o on receipt of a satisfactory academic and attendance report being given to the Aboriginal

Higher Education Officer at the Progress Meeting before the end of Term Four in Year 12 and which has accepted by the Senior Executive Officer of Riawunna; and

o an appropriate ATAR Score; ando enrolment in an undergraduate degree at the University of Tasmania and undertaking at

least three subjects; ando if the student is enrolled after the Census date in March.

The second payment of $500 will be made in Semester Two in the week after the Census date in August:

o on receipt of a satisfactory academic and attendance report being given to the Aboriginal Higher Education Officer at the Progress Meeting before the end of the First Semester and accepted by the Executive Officer of Riawunna; and

o undertaking at least three subjects; ando if the student is enrolled after the Census date in August.

Support for Successful Applicants

Successful applicants will be expected to access:

support from the Aboriginal Higher Education Officer during the course of the Bursary.

mentoring/tutoring through the Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme.

If you require help or seek clarification with your application, please contact the Riawunna Centre on (03) 6226 2772.

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