Sydney Montessori Training Centre

Bursaries and Scholarships

Purpose
This Victorian Teachers Bursary Fund was established by SMTC in 2021 following a generous seed donation from Peninsula Montessori Parents Association.

The Fund aims to make AMI Diploma Training more accessible to current and future Victorian primary teachers by awarding bursaries for SMTC’s AMI diplomas for the 3-6 and 6-12 age levels).


Bursary amount
Victorian Teachers Bursaries of between $3-5,000 for each upcoming 3-6 AMI Diploma and 6-12 AMI Montessori Diploma are offered. The Bursary is applied only towards the SMTC course tuition fees for the relevant AMI Diploma of the successful student.

 

Eligibility
To be eligible to receive an SMTC Victorian Teachers Bursary, an applicant must be:

1. an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident;

2. able to demonstrate that the financial assistance will significantly assist their ability to
     undertake and complete the course;

3. in a position to complete the course by its scheduled end date; and

4. able to demonstrate commitment to working as a teacher in a Victorian primary school in the 3-6 or 6-12 age levels.

 

Applicants may have been awarded a previous SMTC bursary (but not for an AMI Diploma in the same age level) and may be a previous SMTC bursary applicant.

 

Evidence
Bursary applicants must provide each of the following in support of their application:

1. applicants must have applied to SMTC to study the relevant AMI Diploma (and paid their first instalment of $500) prior to submitting their Bursary Application;

2. a completed SMTC Bursary Application Form;

3. a colour copy of their Medicare card AND a colour copy of one of the following:

     a. Australian passport;

     b. Australian birth certificate;

     c. Australian citizenship confirmation; or

     d. Australian permanent residency confirmation;

4. a short personal statement explaining:

     a. how financial assistance will significantly assist the applicant’s ability to undertake and
         complete the course; and

     b. the applicant’s commitment to Montessori teaching in a Victorian primary school
         setting.

5. at least one of the following documents:

     a. if working in a Victorian Montessori School or stream, a letter from the applicant’s
         employer confirming the applicant’s employment terms (eg fixed contract, permanent
         employee, role details);

     b. confirmation of any work experience placements or observation experience in a
         Montessori environment;

     c. a letter from the applicant’s employer in support of the study; and/or

     d. other documentation in support of the applicant’s commitment to teaching in a
         Montessori environment in Victoria.

SMTC may request additional information at its discretion including (but not limited to) financial information to assist in the assessment of the application. SMTC also reserves the right to require verification or certification of original documents as a condition of the award.

# Unsuccessful scholarship applicants may consider seeking a refund of all or part of this $500 instalment if eligible on compassionate grounds per our Fees, Cancellation and Refund Policy.

 

Other conditions of Bursary

1. The Bursary award will be applied to reduce the last instalment payments of SMTC course fees due for the student’s course.

For example, where students are on an 11-payment instalment plan for their SMTC course fees and receive an award of $3,000 this would be applied towards the final three payments as follows:

     · Payment 11 being $1,350 – Bursary contribution $1,350

     · Payment 10 being $1,350 – Bursary contribution $1,350

     · Payment 9 being $1,350 – Bursary contribution $300.

2. The Bursary will be terminated if the recipient:

     · withdraws from the course;

     · defers without prior approval;

     · does not maintain satisfactory academic performance during the course;

     · is determined by SMTC, acting reasonably, to be guilty of serious misconduct, including,
       but not limited to, having provided false or misleading information as part of their
       scholarship or course application; or

     · does not resume study at the end of a period of approved leave.

Once the Bursary has been terminated, it will not be reinstated unless due to SMTC error.

3. Where a student is found guilty of serious misconduct or withdraws from the relevant course, SMTC will require that any funds paid to the Bursary recipient be reimbursed to SMTC in full by the student. If relevant to the student’s circumstances, the student may apply to SMTC for relief on compassionate grounds as outlined in our Fees, Cancellation and Refund policy.

 

Application process

     1. Check eligibility.

     2. Complete SMTC Bursary Application Form.

     3. Provide electronic copies of all required documentation.

     4. Submit the application by email with scanned document attachments to SMTC’s  Training Centre Manager via [email protected]

 

Closing date

Applications for the upcoming SMTC AMI Montessori 6-12 Diploma scholarships close on 29 October 2021. All applicants will be notified via email of the outcome of their application.

Applications for the upcoming SMTC AMI Montessori 3-6 Diploma scholarships close on 12 November 2021. All applicants will be notified via email of the outcome of their application.

For all enquiries about the Victorian Teachers Bursary, please email SMTC’s Training Centre Manager, Alison Birdsall, via [email protected] or on 0451 309 620.