Commonwealth Scholarships and Awards Regulations (Amendment)

Overview

Statutory Rules 1972 No. 148, made under the Education Act 1945-1966, addresses the amendment of the Commonwealth Scholarships and Awards Regulations. Enacted by the Commonwealth of Australia, the regulation was issued on the advice of the Federal Executive Council and signed by Paul Hasluck, the Governor-General, on 31 August 1972. The policy objective of this amendment is to update and refine the criteria for awarding Commonwealth University scholarships, specifically targeting students enrolled at the University of New South Wales in certain courses. The regulation aims to ensure that scholarships are awarded to eligible students who meet the specified criteria, thereby supporting educational opportunities and access for deserving students.

Scope and Application

The Statutory Rules 1972 No. 148, made under the Education Act 1945-1966, amends the Commonwealth Scholarships and Awards Regulations, specifically targeting the Commonwealth University scholarships. This regulation applies to students enrolled at the University of New South Wales who are pursuing a Bachelor of Laws degree and who were admitted or eligible for admission to a Bachelor of Arts degree at that university, commencing their course during the years starting on 1 January 1969 or 1 January 1970. The regulation is part of a broader legislative framework aimed at enhancing educational opportunities by providing financial assistance to eligible students. The scope of the Act is national, extending across the Commonwealth of Australia, and it applies to specific classes of students as outlined in the regulation. There are no stated exclusions or exemptions within this particular regulation, and it operates within the confines of the overarching Education Act 1945-1966. Any further clarification or detailed application of the regulation would typically be addressed through subordinate instruments or administrative guidelines issued by the relevant authorities.

Key Provisions

The Statutory Rules 1972 No. 148 amends the Commonwealth Scholarships and Awards Regulations, specifically targeting Regulation 6 (1.) which outlines the criteria for awarding Commonwealth University scholarships. The amendment replaces the existing sub-regulation with a new one that specifies eligibility criteria more narrowly. The scholarships are now available to students enrolled at the University of New South Wales in a Bachelor of Laws course, who are also admitted or eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Arts degree, and who commenced their Bachelor of Arts course on or before 1 January 1970. Under this regulation, the Board or an authorised officer of the Board has the authority to award these scholarships to eligible students. This provision ensures that only those meeting the stringent academic and temporal criteria can be considered for these awards, thereby ensuring that the scholarships are awarded to deserving students who have met the specified academic requirements and commenced their studies within the stipulated time frame. The obligations imposed by these regulations include the duty of the Board to administer the scholarship awards in accordance with the specified criteria. The Board must ensure that only those students who meet the eligibility criteria, as detailed in the amended Regulation 6 (1.), are considered for the scholarships. This includes verifying the students' enrolment status, their admission or eligibility for admission to the specified degrees, and the commencement date of their Bachelor of Arts course. In terms of consequences for breach, while the specific legislative instrument does not detail penalties for non-compliance, breaches of regulations governing scholarship awards could potentially result in legal action, including administrative penalties or sanctions imposed by the relevant educational authorities. These could include the revocation of scholarships, legal proceedings, or other administrative measures deemed appropriate by the Board. The precise nature of the penalties would depend on the specific context and the severity of the breach. It is important for all parties involved, including the Board, students, and educational institutions, to adhere strictly to the criteria and obligations outlined in these regulations to avoid any potential repercussions. This includes ensuring accurate and timely submission of all necessary documentation and information required for the scholarship application process.