Ma & Morley Scholarship Program - Category: Educational Disadvantage

Amount

up to $75,000

Number available

8 including 4 specifically for students who have completed a University of Newcastle Pathway Program such as Yapug or Open Foundation (or are set to complete in 2023).

Closing Date

Applications open 1 July 2024

Scholarship details

Donor

Jack Ma Foundation


Establishment

The Ma & Morley Scholarship Program was born to honour the life changing and enduring friendship between the successful Chinese entrepreneur Jack Ma and the respected Novocastrian Ken Morley through a program that aims to inspire, educate and cultivate the next generation of globally aware and socially conscious Australian leaders.

Applicable to: students who are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, who have carer responsibilities, sole parent responsibilities, long term medical condition(s) or disability/ies or ongoing effects of abuse, refugee status, or face regional or remote disadvantage or financial hardship.


Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship you must meet the following criteria:

  • Be an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa
  • Be enrolled in first year of study in any undergraduate degree program at the University of Newcastle in the year of scholarship award
  • Enrol in a minimum of 20 units
  • Demonstrate meeting Government educational disadvantage criteria (carer responsibilities, sole parent responsibilities, financial hardship, Indigenous Australian, long term medical condition(s) disability/ies or ongoing effects of abuse, refugee status, regional or remote disadvantage*)
  • Provide required documentation
  • Have leadership aspirations
  • Demonstrated commitment to one or more Ma & Morley values
  • Not be the recipient of another University of Newcastle Donor funded or sponsored scholarship
  • Not have completed another degree
  • Must be available to participate in program activities as per the key dates

4 of the 8 scholarships available in this category will be awarded to students who have completed a University of Newcastle Pathway Program (Yapug or Open Foundation) or are set to complete in 2024.

* To see if you qualify for regional remoteness visit www.doctorconnect.gov.au/locator. Tick the box ASGS Remoteness Area and enter your address. All areas outside of the RA 1 are considered for this Scholarship.

For more information on this scholarship, please review the full Terms and Conditions (PDF, 170KB).


Required documentation

Before applying it is recommended that all applicants read Application help and contact us at mamorley@newcastle.edu.au if you have any further questions.

You will be required to create a scholarship profile using the University's Scholarship Portal. The portal is where you will upload your required documentation. The portal will also require you to upload an additional one-page personal statement outlining your academic achievement to date and how a scholarship would assist you and your career aspirations. We suggest that all applicants complete this statement so that they are eligible for other University of Newcastle scholarships.

Below are the documents that you will need to upload in PDF format to the Scholarship Portal:

  1. An 800-word written statement addressing the two application questions, which can be found on the Application help page.
  2. A written reference from a responsible person. This person can include a higher education or VET educator, employer/manager/supervisor, community elder, doctor, specialist medical professional, lawyer, accountant, social worker, counsellor, religious or community leader, high school teacher, principal, counsellor, year advisor or career advisor. Your reference cannot be written by a relative.
  3. Provide copies of any documentary evidence supporting your claim that you are facing circumstances that may impact your study. For example; Centrelink income statement, health care card, registration with disability service, evidence of address in a remote area, medical certificate etc.

Benefit

The scholarship currently provides a benefit of:

  • Up to $75,000 for entire degree, Paid in lump sum payments of $7,500 each semester after the census date (pro-rata for students studying 30 or 20 units)
  • Access to values based leadership program
  • China immersion experience (subject to travel restrictions and health advice)*
  • Life-long friendships and bonds

Leadership program activities and minimum level of participation across program stages

Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4
January/February - Scholar Welcome Program April - 2-day Leadership Intensive        Action Projects - across the year Reasonable participation in supporting stage 1-3 Scholars as agreed with the Program Coordinator**
June/July - China Immersion*July - Indigenous Cultural Immersion DayReasonable participation in action projects as agreed with the Program Coordinator **only relevant if still attending university and receiving scholarship payment
August - Indigenous ImmersionNovember/December - Ma & Morley Gala  
October - Reflect & ShareReasonable participation in enrichment program monthly activities as agreed with the Program Coordinator  
November/December - Ma & Morley Gala   
Reasonable participation in enrichment program monthly activities as agreed with the Program Coordinator   

* Travel to China is pending travel restrictions and health advice. Activities may need to be adapted, substituted or postponed, sometimes at short notice.


Selection

Selection of the scholar will be on the basis of an assessment of the application and supporting documents against the eligibility criteria. An interview process will follow for shortlisted candidates.


College


Contact Details

Ma & Morley Scholarship Coordinator
Office of Alumni & Philanthropy
University of Newcastle


Email: mamorley@newcastle.edu.au