Scholarships Policy

POLICY STATEMENT

Southern Cross Housing (SCH) has committed to a Scholarship Program that provides opportunities to tenants and other eligible applicants towards pathways to employment and education, enabling them to lead more fulfilling lives.

I. Purpose

To advise applicants and SCH staff on eligibility and assessment requirements for SCH Tenant Scholarship Program.

II. Definitions

•  N/a

III. Coverage

This policy applies to educational scholarships offered to SCH tenants.

IV. Principles

SCH scholarships are open to tenants that are living in SCH social housing properties in the Shoalhaven, Snowy Monaro, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley Local Government Areas. Tenants that are living in SCH affordable housing properties are ineligible unless they meet social housing eligibility criteria.

In order to be eligible, the household must:

• Have provided income details to SCH within the previous 6 months, to demonstrate that they are still eligible for social housing,
• Not have current rent or non-rent arrears, unless an approved repayment plan has been agreed and the household is complying with the plan,
• Have no other scholarship funding available to meet these costs, and
• Be an approved occupant of an SCH property.

Special consideration will be given to applicants with a disability. Attendance at therapy, or other health or social activities, may be counted towards community involvement.
Scholarship funding can be used towards educational costs for primary school, high school, TAFE or university courses, or participation in organised sporting or music activities. This includes costs of fees/registration, tutoring/lessons, textbooks, equipment, uniforms and related activities (e.g. excursions or concerts), or childcare.

Funding will be provided for items that are essential to participate in the nominated course or activity (e.g. items included on a compulsory school uniform list, or textbooks identified in a course guide). Funding for some items may also be capped at a reasonable value. The CEO will determine these items and values at the commencement of the scholarship round.

Southern Cross Housing will procure all IT equipment in collaboration with a nominated IT Supplier.

• Stream Maximum Eligible Amount Primary School (Kindergarten to Year 6) $400.00
• Secondary School (Year 7 — Year 12) $800 .00
• Tertiary Education (University and TAFE) professional development (music & sports) and $1200.00

Applications will be assessed, based on:

• student goals (in particular, how planned education/participation will improve personal outcomes),
• number and types of barriers that are being experienced by the applicant in particular: – disability — physical, intellectual and cognitive – cultural barriers (including Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders) – age specific barriers
• the level of student community involvement (as demonstrated by volunteer activities, community participation, etc.), and
• the student’s personal character and commitment (as demonstrated by school attendance, references and/or achievements).

V. Responsibilities

The Communities Assist Manager is responsible for all administrative tasks including promotion, distribution, assessment and evaluation. The Executive Manager Operations or the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for approving scholarships.