St Joseph's College Old Boys' Union Bursary Scheme

Background & application information on the
SJC OBU Bursary Scheme
Applications Due: 2nd Friday in September

Established 1917

The early days

At a meeting on 16 September, 1917 it was resolved that the "St. Joseph's College Old Boys' Bursary Fund" be established for sons of Old Boys'. The earliest reference to the granting of a bursary however, was not until 1924 when a bursary for 1925 was announced. In the 1930's the Bursary Fund experienced great difficulty, presumably due to the Great Depression and on a number of occasions there were insufficient funds to meet the commitments.

Wyndham Scheme

The introduction of the Wyndham Scheme in 1960

The introduction of the Wyndham Scheme in the 1960's could have spelled the end of the Bursary Fund as the whole of the College Family focused on the College Building Fund Appeal. Indeed the finances of the Bursary Fund were having difficulty with the rapid rate of inflation being experienced at the time.

Growth of the capital in the Bursary Fund was for a long time far less than might have been expected on the basis of the original aims and aspirations.

However, there have been a number of significant periods in the life of the Bursary Fund which has stimulated interest and created opportunities from time to time, the St. Joseph's College Centenary in 1981 being one very prominent occasion.

With the strong support the Old Boys' Union receives from its outstanding number of Life Members and a number of Bequests, the Bursary Fund has grown in recent times to a level where some meaningful assistance can be provided, however the low investment returns available in recent times from fixed deposits has seen a decline in income earned on the capital of the Bursary Fund.

"Consequently, resources are limited and consideration of applications will always be based on hardship."


General Conditions for Consideration of Assistance Under The Old Boys' Union Bursary Scheme

The candidate must be enrolled at St. Joseph's College before submitting an application for assistance under the Old Boys' Union Bursary Scheme.

Assistance under the St. Joseph's College Old Boys' Union Bursary Scheme is only available to blood and adopted sons of Old Boys' of St. Joseph's College.

Assistance is only provided to candidates in Years 10, 11 or 12 unless exceptional circumstances exist which warrant consideration of a candidate in Years 7, 8 or 9. No assistance is available to Extended - Day Students in Years 7, 8, 9 or 10.

The value of assistance provided under the Old Boys' Union Bursary Scheme is determined by the Bursary Board contingent upon the financial circumstances of the parents/guardian at the time. Consideration will also be given to the relative daily living costs of a student being at home on a full time basis. Assistance provided will be for one year however, parents/guardians will have the opportunity to apply for renewal of assistance for each following year contingent upon their financial and family circumstances remaining unchanged.

Assistance under the Old Boys' Union Bursary Scheme is available on the condition that the balance of fees is paid for each year to the College by the relevant due date. Parents/guardians who do not comply with this requirement will not be considered for renewal in the following year.

Applicants will be required to provide comprehensive details on their financial position to support their application. A detailed list of the requirements is included. This information is strictly confidential and will only be reviewed by members of the Bursary Board.

Applicants may be required to be available for an interview with the Bursary Board as part of the application process.

Applicants are required to treat the application as strictly confidential.

Applications close the 2nd Friday in September.

Applications are processed by the Bursary Board Secretary:

Applicants will be required to provide their consent for the Bursary Board to review the Candidates Enrolment Application to St. Joseph's College with a view to obtaining further information on the student's school achievements to date and to confirm references

Applicants will be required to sign a Consent Form under the Privacy Protection of Information Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) authorising the Bursary Board to undertake appropriate enquiries to verify the applicant's financial position.

How to Apply

Applications Due: 2nd Friday in September

Please forward the completed application and supporting documentation to the below address:

Mr Tim Murphy
PO Box 244
BOTANY NSW 1455