Australian Muslim Academic Scholarship Program
The Patrons of the Islamic Museum of Australia are excited to present a scholarship program for Australian Muslim tertiary students in collaboration with our university partners.
Access to higher education, financial security and connection to future employers together create the optimal conditions for life planning and a focus on achievement.
Keep reading to find out more about this exciting opportunity for our future Islamic leaders.
The Australian Muslim Academic Scholarship Program (AMAS) will support year 12 graduates with high academic merits and/or young working professionals who also possess significant leadership qualities to obtain graduate and/or postgraduate qualifications through one of our preferred university partners.
The goal of AMAS is to provide development opportunities for all future Islamic leaders across Australia, ensuring gender equality and equal opportunity to all. The program aims to support five recipients in the first year.
Successful applicants will be awarded up to $10,000 per 12-month period for full-time study.
Applications are currently open. Shortlisting will commence in November 2023 with interviews to follow in December 2023. Applicants will be notified of their outcome in January 2024.
Applicants must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or have refugee status. Applicants residing overseas are not eligible to apply.
Applicants must attend one of the following partner universities: La Trobe University, University of South Australia, Edith Cowan University, Western Sydney University, or the University of Queensland.
Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the academic merit (criteria 1 below) in addition to at least one of the following criteria (criteria 2-5 below).
Criteria
a) Available for undergraduate or postgraduate studies
b) Achieved an Australian Tertiary Entrance Rank (ATAR) or equivalent of 85 or higher within the past two years, or
c) Achieved a weighted average mark of 80 or higher as an undergraduate within the past two years
2. Equity criteria (e.g. financial hardship) – applicants who are experiencing or can demonstrate financial hardship and other personal circumstances impacting study, including:
a) Carer responsibilities
A person who, without being paid, cares for another person who needs ongoing support because of a long-term medical condition, a mental illness, a disability, frailty or the need for palliative care (may or may not be a family member; may or may not live with the person they care for; may be in receipt of Centrelink carer allowance or carer payment)
- Includes sole parent responsibilities; a person who is single and has at least one dependent child under 18 who is wholly or primarily in their care and who is in Australia
b) English language difficulty
Experiences difficulties due to their non-English speaking background that affects their ability to study; came to Australia from a non-English speaking country within the last 10 years; speaks a language other than English at home
c) Financial hardship
In receipt or eligible for receipt of Centrelink (or other Commonwealth) means tested income support payment or able to provide comprehensive information demonstrating financial hardship; or a student under 19 whose parent or guardian is in receipt of the Family Tax benefit part A
d) Long term medical condition/disability
A person experiencing a long term medical condition or disability (including mental illness) or ongoing effects of abuse and their ability to study at university is affected or is likely to be affected
e) Additional attributes such as having refugee status
A person is considered to have refugee status if they entered Australia as a refugee or on a Global Special Humanitarian Visa or entered seeking asylum and then gained a permanent humanitarian visa
- Asylum seeker: deemed to be people currently seeking asylum who are Bridging Visa A or E, Temporary Protection Visa or Safe Haven Enterprise Visa holders
- Refugee: people born outside of Australia who have had their refugee claim assessed and accepted in Australia and hold a Permanent Humanitarian Visa
- Refugee background: people that arrive in Australia as a refugee
3. Location (state, regional or remote)
a) State – The selection panel will allocate scholarships equally across Australia where possible, having regard for the number and quality of applications received
b) Regional or remote disadvantage if within the two years immediately prior to the start of their proposed course in higher education they lived in a regional or remote area for at least 12 months
4. Personal attributes, including leadership qualities and being a positive role model
a) Demonstrated involvement in the community, university, or with external organisations in a leadership role
b) Written reference from a third-party referee supporting their statement of leadership activities
5. Community involvement (must be of Islamic faith, contributing to the Islamic society). Demonstrated involvement in the community, school, university, or other external organisations in one or more of the following categories:
a) Community service or community group activities
b) Religious/cultural group activities
c) School leadership or social justice groups
d) Sport, performing arts or charity fundraising group activities
Ongoing Eligibility
Once a scholarship has been awarded, the recipient’s ongoing eligibility will be checked before each payment is made. To remain eligible for a scholarship, the recipients will need to:
1. Remain enrolled full-time (unless they have requested and been granted approval for part-time enrolment)
2. Maintain satisfactory progress in their studies
- This will be attaining a minimum weighted average mark, which will be determined by the selection committee and communicated to every scholarship recipient
3. Continue to meet all the relevant scholarship criteria
4. Maintain their citizenship, visa or refugee status
5. Advise the IMA Grants Officer of any changes to your income or eligibility
Academic Progress
Terms and Conditions
1.1: To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:
a) Meet the academic merit (see criteria 1), and
b) Demonstrate that they meet at least one other criteria (criteria 2 – 5), and
c) Submit a whole and complete application with all of the requested documentation and evidence
1.2: To remain eligible for a scholarship, recipients must comply with the terms as stated in the Ongoing Eligibility section.
Application
2.1: There is no closing date for applications. Applications can be made for study during the current financial year, or the following year. While there is no closing date, the selection panel will convene on a biannual basis only. The Fund will continue to accept the receipt of applications until funds for the relevant financial year are exhausted.
2.2: Scholarships are applicable only to tertiary institutions.
2.3: Students may only apply for one degree per application.
Selection
3.1: A panel consisting of, IMA Founder, Moustafa Fahour OAM, Khalil Shahin AO, Ahmad Agha, Faris Karem and Michael Dib will select the scholarship recipients.
3.2: The selection panel’s decision is final.
3.3: Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to seek specific feedback regarding their application.
Use of Funds
4.1: The funds are for one degree only. The successful applicant cannot use the funds for a double degree and or living related expense if degree is funded.
4.2: All undergraduate qualifications including Bachelor and Honours degrees, and postgraduate qualifications including Masters by Coursework, Masters by Research and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, are eligible for funding.
4.3: The scholarship covers tuition fees and student services and amenities fees (SSAF).
Payment of Funds
5.1: The successful applicant will be awarded up to $10,000 per 12-month period for full-time study. Part-time study scholarship value will be discussed directly with the recipient and based on the number of contact hours.
5.2: Payment of funds will be made at the start of the first teaching period for students commencing in semester one, and at the start of the second teaching period for students commencing in semester two.
5.3: If the successful applicant changes from full-time to part-time study and their scholarship has been approved to continue by the selection panel, the stipend will be adjusted to up to $5,000 per 12-month period of part-time study.
5.4: Funds will be deposited directly to the nominated tertiary institution.
Deferment
6.1: Should circumstances change prior to the deposit of funds, an applicant’s request for the deferment of funds will be considered at the discretion of the selection panel.
Termination of Scholarship
7.1: The offer of a scholarship is based on the information provided to the Museum. A scholarship may be withdrawn at any stage if incorrect, false or misleading information is provided or relevant information is withheld.
7.2: The offer of a scholarship is based on the initial nominated undergraduate of postgraduate course specified in the application. A scholarship will be withdrawn if the applicant transfers degrees.
7.3: The successful applicant is not permitted to simultaneously receive scholarship or grant funds which cover tuition and student services and amenities fees from another source. Doing so may terminate the scholarship.
Repayment of Funds
8.1: Should the nominated studies not occur during the contracted period, the IMA may request partial or full repayment of funds.
8.2: Should the successful applicant breach the conditions outlined in 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3, the IMA may request partial or full repayment of funds.
Taxation and Centrelink
9.1: It is the grantees responsibility to seek advice regarding taxation and Centrelink advice regarding their individual circumstances. Scholarships may be considered as taxable income.
Publicity
10.1: Successful applicants may be required to be photographed or interviewed for publicity purposes. The Museum may choose to publish the names and studies of successful applicants across any/all of its owned channels or provide these details to third parties for the purpose of publicity.
Contact with the IMA
11.1: All enquiries regarding the scholarship and changes, issues or further information after acceptance should be directed to:
The Grants Officer
Islamic Museum of Australia
15 Anderson Road
Thornbury, VIC 3071
Email: admin@islamicmuseum.org.au
Phone: 1300 915 171
Disclaimer
12.1: The scholarship does not carry any commitment by the Museum for future employment.
