Dr Geoffrey Leonard AM Scholarship

Applications open
Amount

$5,000

Number available

1

Closing date

08 February 2026

Apply for this scholarship

Scholarship details

Donor

Dr Geoffrey Leonard AM

Establishment

This scholarship was established by Dr Geoffrey Leonard in 2009 to assist eligible students from rural and remote areas who are studying a Business, Commerce or Accounting program. Dr Geoffrey Leonard is a recipient of the 1999 Newton-John Award and named as one of the `Magnificent seven', one of the most successful owner-operated businesses in the Hunter in 25 years. He was a graduate of the University of Newcastle and has served on the University Council.

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

Applicable to academic achievement, equity, financial disadvantage, disability, regional and remote, business, commerce.

Eligibility

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

  • Be enrolled in 1st or 2nd year of the Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Commerce or a combined degree where both degrees are offered by the Newcastle Business School or Newcastle Law School.
  • 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, or applicant attributes such as being an Indigenous Australian, having a Refugee background, or placement with an Out-of-Home Care provider.
  • Not have previously completed a degree.
  • Not be the recipient of another University of Newcastle donor-funded or sponsored scholarship concurrently.
  • Be an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident (including holders of a permanent humanitarian visa and New Zealand citizens with permanent residency).

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 provides a benefit of 5,000, paid in two lump sums of $2,500 each semester.

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. Academic merit, namely your Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or equivalent may be taken into account.

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