Rita Leech Indigenous Scholarship – Newcastle University

About Scholarship:

The Newcastle University Scholarship programs align to the University’s values of excellence, equity, sustainability and engagement. On that note, trustees of the Rita Leech Aboriginal Education Trust established this scholarship in accordance with Rita Leech’s will. Rita was born and raised in the Netherlands, and she comes from a large, happy family. As a teenager, she experienced war, occupation, cold, dread, and near-starvation. She migrated to Australia in the 1950s. It wasn’t always easy, but she became a true Aussie. With her quick thinking, she found acceptable job. She later opted to attend university, where she majored in French and German and graduated with high distinctions and honours.
Rita was a member of the Central Coast Reconciliation Group; she despised discrimination and injustice and understood the value of education. She put her principles into effect by making arrangements for an Indigenous Scholarship.

Scholarship Category:

Undergraduate

Rita Leech Indigenous Scholarship Benefits:

  • Total benefit amount, $50,000
  • Offers $10,000 per year for undergraduate degree up to 5 years.
  • Payments in two lump sums of $5,000 after census dates.
  • Benefit and number of scholarships may vary based on annual funding availability.

Rita Leech Indigenous Scholarship Eligibility:

  • Enrol in an undergraduate degree at the University of Newcastle.
  • Enrol at one of the Central Coast campuses.
  • Enrol full-time.
  • Establish Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity.
  • Demonstrate how financial stress affects learning abilities..
  • Show academic progress using ATAR or GPA.
  • Do not hold another University of Newcastle scholarship concurrently.

Selection Process:

  • Competitive process based on application assessment and eligibility criteria.
  • Indigenous Selection Panel, minimum three members, chosen by Pro Vice-Chancellor – Indigenous Strategy and Leadership.
  • Outcomes communicated via email 6 weeks after application close date.

Application Window:

Deadline: 9th of March 2024