Applications open
Amount

$15,000

Number available

1

Closing date

08 February 2026

Scholarship details

Donor

Public Trustee

Establishment

This scholarship was established by the trustees of the will of John Sinclair Cormack to assist students who are studying piano or violin. The purpose of the scholarship was to provide funds to be used towards the payment of fees or living expenses.

Applicable to: Academic achievement, disability, equity, financial disadvantage, Indigenous Australian, regional or remote.

For more information on this scholarship, please review the full Terms and Conditions.


Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, you will need to:

  • Be enrolled in any year of a Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts with University of Newcastle.
  • Be an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident (including holders of a permanent humanitarian visa and New Zealand citizens with permanent residency).
  • Be intending to study on a full-time basis (minimum 60 units per year).
  • Demonstrate academic achievement either by an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent of 75 or higher for commencing students, or a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.0 for continuing students.
  • Demonstrate the impact of educational disadvantage such as carer and sole parent responsibilities, financial hardship, a long-term medical condition or disability, the ongoing effects of abuse, regional/remote disadvantage,
  • applicant attributes such as being an Indigenous Australian, having a Refugee background, or placement with an Out-of-Home Care provider.
  • Be a resident of Newcastle, Maitland, Cessnock, Lake Macquarie or Port Stephens Local Government Areas..
  • Not have previously completed an Australian undergraduate degree program.
  • Not have previously received this scholarship.
  • Not be the recipient of another University of Newcastle donor-funded or sponsored scholarship concurrently.

Required Documentation

Required documents will be listed on the ‘Your Documents’ page of your application. The application portal accepts PDF only. A maximum of 3 PDF smaller than 5 MB can be added per document type upload field.

  • A personal statement (approx. 1 A4 page) outlining your academic achievements, career aspirations in the relevant area of study, and how this scholarship would assist you. This statement will cover all scholarships you are submitting for.
  • You may be required to provide documents to support your educational challenges and personal circumstances. These will be identified when you apply based on your individual application responses.

Benefit

The scholarship currently provides a benefit of $15,000 payable over a maximum of 2 years study. The benefit will be paid as $3750 each semester, after semester census date.

Payments are typically received 2–3 weeks after the semester census date, or 2–3 weeks after you accept your offer if the census date has already passed.


Selection

Selection is a competitive process and will be based on assessment of the scholarship application and any required supporting documents. Performance may be required.


College

College of Human and Social Futures


Contact Details

Scholarships
Student and Academic Services
University of Newcastle
University Drive
CALLAGHAN NSW 2308

Phone: +61 2 4921 5000
Email: scholarships@newcastle.edu.au