CQUniCares Jenny Simpson Memorial Scholarship (Donor-Funded)

To be eligible to receive the CQUniCares Jenny Simpson Memorial Scholarship, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Have completed at least two units of the Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) course;
• Be commencing or have commenced a Bachelor degree in 2024;
• Be an Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or holder of a Permanent Humanitarian Visa with a permanent home address in Australia;
• Be enrolled at CQUniversity as of Census Date in Term 1, 2024;
• Not be receiving multiple CQUniversity Scholarships that exceed the annual value of $10,000.  

Applicants will be assessed on the application and a written submission of no more than 500 words addressing the following:

"How will a CQUniCares Jenny Simpson Memorial Scholarship assist with your studies?"

• Tell us about yourself:
  • Name/ course/ interests
  • You may wish to also share your current situation, challenges you have experienced or overcome, as well as any examples of success, leadership, community, or volunteering.
• How will a scholarship help you to overcome financial barriers to success?
  • You may wish to further explain your current situation and how a scholarship will assist you in managing general living and study expenses.
• What are your career goals and how will a scholarship assist you in achieving your educational objectives?
  • You may wish to outline your aspirations following graduation, as well as your plans for giving back and supporting our regions.  

Expectations of recipients

As a scholarship recipient, you may be asked to participate in a feedback survey. You may also be approached to assist with promoting CQUniversity’s Scholarship program by sharing your experiences as a recipient through testimonials, media or invitations to attend events such as Orientation or Open Days. If you do not wish to be publicly recognised or be involved in the above initiatives, please advise the Philanthropy Team via ourpartners@cqu.edu.au immediately following acceptance.

CQUniversity has a range of support services located on our website Student Support Services and Financial Preparedness.

Additional information

Students may request a deferral of their scholarship in special circumstances. This request must be made through the Student Scholarships Team and should occur in conjunction with an official Leave of Absence request to the University. If approved, a scholarship may only be deferred for a maximum period of two terms (excludes Term 3). Continuing students must still maintain a minimum GPA of 4.0 in the term directly before taking a Leave of Absence.

In special circumstances, a student may also make a request to transfer their scholarship to an alternative course of study. This request must be through the Student Scholarships Team and is at the discretion of the scholarship donor. 

Public recognition and your involvement

CQUniversity is committed to protecting your privacy. CQUniversity will take all reasonable steps to ensure that the collection, use, disclosure and handling of personal or health information provided by you complies with CQUniversity Information Policy and Procedures and the Information Privacy Act (2009). Visit www.cqu.edu.au/privacy for more information. 

As funds for your scholarship have been generously donated, CQUniversity is required to share your name, course/ study area and ongoing eligibility (including academic performance) with the donor of your scholarship. CQUniversity may also share your student email address and your nominated phone number, if requested by your scholarship donor, for the purpose of enabling their representatives to contact you regarding your scholarship. Donors may wish to celebrate their recipients, however if you do not wish your donor or CQUniversity to promote your name publicly, this can be arranged.

If you do not wish to be publicly recognised or be involved in the above initiatives, please advise the Philanthropy Team via ourpartners@cqu.edu.au immediately following acceptance.

Thanking your Donor

Many of our scholarships are made possible by generous donations from community partners who are committed to supporting CQUniversity students to reach their academic goals. Our donors are always keen to hear how their support is making a difference. You are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of thanks (Word/ PDF) or short video to ourpartners@cqu.edu.au to express your appreciation. To help you get started, we recommend providing a brief overview of who you are, what you are studying and your career aspirations, as well as some insight into how your scholarship will benefit you. 

Payment of scholarship

The successful applicant is required to enter their current financial institution details (banking details) into MyCQU for payment to occur. This must be done prior to Census Date to avoid delays.

Payment of $2,000 will be made to the successful recipient in week 6 of Term 1 following post Census Date eligibility checks. 

Payments will be credited electronically to the student’s nominated bank account. 

*Disclaimer - Students may be required to provide further documentation to support their application. This can include the following:

• Written submission
• Documentation demonstrating academic achievement or unofficial transcript
• Documentation demonstrating community involvement, exemplary work or demonstration of leadership
• Resume
• Documentation demonstrating low personal or family income/ financial need
• Confirmation of Identity or 2 x Cultural References + a Statutory Declaration (if relevant to scholarship)

All requests for further information to support applications will be sent to the student email account. Failure to supply further information will deem the application incomplete and will not be considered.

To apply for the CQUniCares Jenny Simpson Memorial Scholarship:

Complete a Scholarship Online Application Form, ensuring all supporting documentation is completed and attached as outlined here

• For Current students (applicants who have already have a Student ID number) apply through MyCQU. You will need to log in with your student details.
• For Future students (applicants who have applied or are intending to apply to study at CQUniversity but not yet received or accepted an offer) apply now.

A section panel, consisting of representatives from  CQUniversity STEPS Team will be formed to determine the successful applicant. 

Scholarships at CQUniversity are highly competitive. All applications are ranked based on how well applicants address the selection criteria, and in comparison, to other applicants.

Being eligible or being a recipient in the past is no guarantee of having a successful application.

A scholarship will only be offered where there is an applicant of sufficient merit.

All applicants are advised that any request for further information to support their application will be sent to their student email accounts or nominated email account for future students. Students will be required to re-submit any further information requested through their original application in MyCQU. Failure to resubmit further information will deem the application incomplete and will not be considered.

The Student Scholarships Team are unable to provide updates to students on the progress of their individual application until all assessments are completed.

Jenny Simpson was an extraordinary person. She was a passionate teacher, a transformative educator, a vigorous research, and for her students, she was an inspiration. She gave of herself to ensure that students, who previously may not have had the opportunity to achieve a tertiary education, were able to do so. She was responsible for enabling second-chance adult learners to effect a change in their lives, feel empowered and to be awakened to their true abilities.

Jenny Simpson dedicated 15 years of her life to providing 1,000 CQUniversity students with the opportunity to achieve the necessary requirements to equip them with the skills and confidence to embark on a tertiary education. She lived by the quote: “I think; therefore I am. I imagine: therefore, I can be more”, a value that she instilled in all her students.

Sadly, on Saturday 11 October 2008, after a battle with cancer, Jenny passed away. The CQUniCares Jenny Simpson Memorial Scholarship was established in her memory, to encourage STEPS students to pursue an Undergraduate degree at CQUniversity. Today, this scholarship is made possible through generous donations made by friends and colleagues of the late, Jenny Simpson.