John Mac Foundation Scholarship

Scholarship Type:  Equity
Scholarship Group:  B

Benefits

• $7,500 per year for up to three years*
  _{*full-time, or part-time equivalent}

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Citizenship:

• Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident, Permanent Humanitarian Visa Holder, or eligible New Zealand Citizen**
  _{** Eligible New Zealand Citizen includes students who meet the criteria for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP. Further details available here: Changes to fees for New Zealand Citizens | Western Sydney University}

Enrolment:

• new or continuing student

Program/s:

• any Western Sydney University undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree, or Foundation Studies, Diploma or Associate Degree at Western Sydney University College

Additional:

• demonstrate financial or other hardship as assessed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC)
• Preference will be given to Australian citizens or permanent residents who have been granted a humanitarian visa within the last five years.

John Mac Foundation

John Mac was a humanitarian and an activist who lost his life in 2014 while bravely trying to assist civilians escape attacking rebel forces across the River Nile in Sudan. In memory of his older brother, Deng Adut – alumnus, lawyer and 2016 NSW Australian of the Year – has established a charitable foundation to support education and justice in Australia and South Sudan. Established in 2016, the John Mac Foundation aims to continue the legacy of John Mac and also address some of the issues that held him back in life.

In Australia, the foundation operates a scholarship fund which enables underprivileged students (especially people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds) to access higher education. The foundation also connects scholarship beneficiaries to mentors and undertakes outreach to schools to promote the benefits of education and training. In the future, the foundation will expand its overseas operations by providing practical help to South Sudanese students to support the fledgling legal justice system in the young nation of South Sudan.

Application and Selection Process

Applications are to be submitted through the Universities Admissions Centre. Shortlisted applicants, as determined by the UAC Equity Ranking, may be required to make a written submission in support of their application.

Further information and how to apply can be found on our Equity Scholarship page.

Continuing Eligibility Criteria

• Recipients must remain enrolled at Western.
• Recipients must maintain a minimum GPA of 4.