| Financial Assistance Application Form |
Financial Assistance Program
This program is to provide a fair and equitable path to assist Parents and Carers with the payment of school fees under exceptional circumstances.
The School has a finite number of Shearwater Scholarships and a limited amount of Financial Hardship Assistance available, and this may vary from year to year. Not all applications will be successful. Assistance is provided to those families assessed as being most in need and the amount of fee relief may vary.
Applications are sought annually in Term 3 and families are advised in Term 4 of the applicant’s success or otherwise. The closing date for Financial Hardship Assistance and Scholarship applications in 2020 is Friday September 19. Applications after this date will be added to a waiting list and may not be considered until the following year.
SHEARWATER SCHOLARSHIP CATEGORIES (YEARS 8 to 12)
A. Visual and Performing Arts
Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships are awarded on the basis of folio presentation or audition, school reports, references and interview.
B. Music
Students applying for a Music Scholarship must be studying at least one instrument, and/or singing. Applicants must be willing to commit to performing in Shearwater ensembles and/or performances. Music Scholarships are awarded on the basis of an audition, school reports, references and interview.
C. Outstanding Community Service
Community Service Scholarships are awarded to students who can demonstrate exceptional leadership and/or community service achievement.
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE
Shearwater Financial Hardship Assistance may be provided to students of families who would not otherwise be able to afford to enrol their child at Shearwater. Financial Hardship Assistance is offered to students on the basis of supporting financial documentation, school reports, school reference and an interview.
Financial Hardship Assistance is tenable for 12 months. This is identified in the offer and may continue, following a review, if parents and students meet the annual means-test validation and the other terms and conditions. Proof of income will be required. This includes personal tax returns and, where applicable, business tax returns and financial statements (profit and loss). Other financial information, such as Centrelink and bank statements, may also be required.
Fees Schedule
These Terms & Conditions are to be read in conjunction with the annual Fees Schedule; being an addendum to the School’s Fees Policy.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
1. Introduction
All applicants must complete an application form and an enrolment form (if not already enrolled) and meet all terms and conditions as outlined in this document. Applicants are considered to have read and agreed with these Terms and Conditions in their entirety upon accepting an offer.
2. Accepting a Shearwater Scholarship or Financial Hardship Assistance
Successful applicants will receive a letter of offer outlining how to accept or reject this offer. If applicants do not respond to the offer within 14 days, the offer may be withdrawn.
2.1 Correspondence
All correspondence during the application process will be sent to the postal address submitted in the application or the email address provided.
3. Value
The value of the assistance being offered will be outlined in the letter of offer, and is not transferable - 25 per cent and 50 per cent reductions on tuition fees are most commonly offered. All recipients of Scholarships or Financial Assistance will be required to pay a percentage of their fees.
This percentage reduction amount will be against the fees relating to the period of the support. A credit will be applied to the next Fees Statement. This is not a retrospective credit against past debt. It is not available as a cash payment.
4. Payments
Shearwater Scholarships and Financial Hardship Assistance are a reduction against tuition fees only. The Building Maintenance Levy, enrolment fees and other levies will be charged accordingly.
5. Specific Criteria
A Shearwater Scholarship or Financial Hardship Assistance is provided on the understanding that the student will remain enrolled at Shearwater for the duration of the offer. Students who withdraw from the School within the period of the offer, or fail to meet course requirements, give up their right to further assistance opportunities.
This assistance is awarded to students based on established eligibility criteria and each year, students will be re-assessed for eligibility prior to the commencement of any new annual period. If students do not meet the eligibility criteria the assistance may be revoked. New applications may be requested on an annual basis.
5.1 Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Candidates must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia. Candidates may be currently enrolled at Shearwater. All applicants must lodge an application form to be considered for a Shearwater Scholarship or Financial Hardship Assistance.
6. Duration
All Shearwater Scholarships and Financial Hardship Assistance offers will state the maximum period of the offer.
7. Deferments
Offers cannot be deferred.
7.1 Leave of Absence
Applications for extended periods of leave amounting to more than one (1) week in duration, which do not occur as a result of illness, work placement or as part of the curriculum must be made in writing to the Head of Education. Ongoing absences may result in termination of this assistance.
8. Retention
To retain their Shearwater Scholarship or Financial Hardship Assistance, students must: • maintain full-time enrolment at Shearwater;
• maintain acceptable academic standards;
• maintain an exemplary behaviour and attendance record;
• adhere to School rules and guidelines.
8.1 Probation and Suspension Policy for Underperforming Students
Academic progress will be assessed each semester, and within one or two weeks of the release of results. If performance falls below the required average, the procedures detailed below will be followed:
• Students will be notified in writing by the Head of Education that their performance is under review and that they are on probation.
• If students meet the required minimum average in the semester following being placed on probation, the probation status will be removed, or
• If students do not meet the required average in the semester following being placed on probation the financial support will be suspended for the following semester.
• If students applied for and were granted special consideration, or if other extenuating circumstances apply and are recognised by the Head of Education, no action will be taken.
9. Termination
Shearwater Scholarships or Financial Hardship Assistance may be cancelled if students have: • discontinued enrolment;
• failed to meet the eligibility criteria and conditions of the offer;
• failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress;
• been suspended or excluded for misconduct.
10. Provision of False Information
The provision of Financial Hardship Assistance is mostly based on the information that families provide to Shearwater. This Financial Hardship Assistance may be withdrawn at any stage if families provide incorrect information or withhold relevant information.
11. Shearwater Scholarship or Financial Hardship Assistance Offers
11.1 The School’s decision is final, and any offers made must be accepted on the terms contained within the letter of offer.
11.2 Students may only hold one form of support and therefore are unable to be in receipt of a Shearwater Scholarship and Financial Hardship Assistance.
11.3 School fees must be kept up to date. Families with fee arrears may have their financial support withdrawn.
12. Privacy
The information provided to Shearwater during the application process is collected for the primary purpose of assessing eligibility. The school’s Privacy Policy will apply to all information held by the School.
12.1 The granting of financial support is of absolute confidentiality and families will be expected to maintain this as a private arrangement with the School.
For further information please contact the Enrolments Coordinator on 6684 3223 or enrolments@shearwater.nsw.edu.au.
This program is to provide a fair and equitable path to assist Parents and Carers with the payment of school fees under exceptional circumstances.
The School has a finite number of Shearwater Scholarships and a limited amount of Financial Hardship Assistance available, and this may vary from year to year. Not all applications will be successful. Assistance is provided to those families assessed as being most in need and the amount of fee relief may vary.
Applications are sought annually in Term 3 and families are advised in Term 4 of the applicant’s success or otherwise. The closing date for Financial Hardship Assistance and Scholarship applications in 2020 is Friday September 19. Applications after this date will be added to a waiting list and may not be considered until the following year.
SHEARWATER SCHOLARSHIP CATEGORIES (YEARS 8 to 12)
A. Visual and Performing Arts
Visual and Performing Arts Scholarships are awarded on the basis of folio presentation or audition, school reports, references and interview.
B. Music
Students applying for a Music Scholarship must be studying at least one instrument, and/or singing. Applicants must be willing to commit to performing in Shearwater ensembles and/or performances. Music Scholarships are awarded on the basis of an audition, school reports, references and interview.
C. Outstanding Community Service
Community Service Scholarships are awarded to students who can demonstrate exceptional leadership and/or community service achievement.
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ASSISTANCE
Shearwater Financial Hardship Assistance may be provided to students of families who would not otherwise be able to afford to enrol their child at Shearwater. Financial Hardship Assistance is offered to students on the basis of supporting financial documentation, school reports, school reference and an interview.
Financial Hardship Assistance is tenable for 12 months. This is identified in the offer and may continue, following a review, if parents and students meet the annual means-test validation and the other terms and conditions. Proof of income will be required. This includes personal tax returns and, where applicable, business tax returns and financial statements (profit and loss). Other financial information, such as Centrelink and bank statements, may also be required.
Fees Schedule
These Terms & Conditions are to be read in conjunction with the annual Fees Schedule; being an addendum to the School’s Fees Policy.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
1. Introduction
All applicants must complete an application form and an enrolment form (if not already enrolled) and meet all terms and conditions as outlined in this document. Applicants are considered to have read and agreed with these Terms and Conditions in their entirety upon accepting an offer.
2. Accepting a Shearwater Scholarship or Financial Hardship Assistance
Successful applicants will receive a letter of offer outlining how to accept or reject this offer. If applicants do not respond to the offer within 14 days, the offer may be withdrawn.
2.1 Correspondence
All correspondence during the application process will be sent to the postal address submitted in the application or the email address provided.
3. Value
The value of the assistance being offered will be outlined in the letter of offer, and is not transferable - 25 per cent and 50 per cent reductions on tuition fees are most commonly offered. All recipients of Scholarships or Financial Assistance will be required to pay a percentage of their fees.
This percentage reduction amount will be against the fees relating to the period of the support. A credit will be applied to the next Fees Statement. This is not a retrospective credit against past debt. It is not available as a cash payment.
4. Payments
Shearwater Scholarships and Financial Hardship Assistance are a reduction against tuition fees only. The Building Maintenance Levy, enrolment fees and other levies will be charged accordingly.
5. Specific Criteria
A Shearwater Scholarship or Financial Hardship Assistance is provided on the understanding that the student will remain enrolled at Shearwater for the duration of the offer. Students who withdraw from the School within the period of the offer, or fail to meet course requirements, give up their right to further assistance opportunities.
This assistance is awarded to students based on established eligibility criteria and each year, students will be re-assessed for eligibility prior to the commencement of any new annual period. If students do not meet the eligibility criteria the assistance may be revoked. New applications may be requested on an annual basis.
5.1 Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Candidates must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia. Candidates may be currently enrolled at Shearwater. All applicants must lodge an application form to be considered for a Shearwater Scholarship or Financial Hardship Assistance.
6. Duration
All Shearwater Scholarships and Financial Hardship Assistance offers will state the maximum period of the offer.
7. Deferments
Offers cannot be deferred.
7.1 Leave of Absence
Applications for extended periods of leave amounting to more than one (1) week in duration, which do not occur as a result of illness, work placement or as part of the curriculum must be made in writing to the Head of Education. Ongoing absences may result in termination of this assistance.
8. Retention
To retain their Shearwater Scholarship or Financial Hardship Assistance, students must: • maintain full-time enrolment at Shearwater;
• maintain acceptable academic standards;
• maintain an exemplary behaviour and attendance record;
• adhere to School rules and guidelines.
8.1 Probation and Suspension Policy for Underperforming Students
Academic progress will be assessed each semester, and within one or two weeks of the release of results. If performance falls below the required average, the procedures detailed below will be followed:
• Students will be notified in writing by the Head of Education that their performance is under review and that they are on probation.
• If students meet the required minimum average in the semester following being placed on probation, the probation status will be removed, or
• If students do not meet the required average in the semester following being placed on probation the financial support will be suspended for the following semester.
• If students applied for and were granted special consideration, or if other extenuating circumstances apply and are recognised by the Head of Education, no action will be taken.
9. Termination
Shearwater Scholarships or Financial Hardship Assistance may be cancelled if students have: • discontinued enrolment;
• failed to meet the eligibility criteria and conditions of the offer;
• failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress;
• been suspended or excluded for misconduct.
10. Provision of False Information
The provision of Financial Hardship Assistance is mostly based on the information that families provide to Shearwater. This Financial Hardship Assistance may be withdrawn at any stage if families provide incorrect information or withhold relevant information.
11. Shearwater Scholarship or Financial Hardship Assistance Offers
11.1 The School’s decision is final, and any offers made must be accepted on the terms contained within the letter of offer.
11.2 Students may only hold one form of support and therefore are unable to be in receipt of a Shearwater Scholarship and Financial Hardship Assistance.
11.3 School fees must be kept up to date. Families with fee arrears may have their financial support withdrawn.
12. Privacy
The information provided to Shearwater during the application process is collected for the primary purpose of assessing eligibility. The school’s Privacy Policy will apply to all information held by the School.
12.1 The granting of financial support is of absolute confidentiality and families will be expected to maintain this as a private arrangement with the School.
For further information please contact the Enrolments Coordinator on 6684 3223 or enrolments@shearwater.nsw.edu.au.