2013 Postgraduate Scholarships
Am I eligible to apply?Application requirements
Online application form
Frequently asked questions
Scholarships of up to $6,000 are available to registered nurses and midwives who are working in full or part-time permanent positions in the NSW public health system. These scholarships are provided to assist with educational expenses directly associated with postgraduate study. Applicants should understand that not all applicants may be awarded a scholarship and the scholarship will not cover all costs associated with a program of study.
The overall aim of these scholarships is to support the recruitment, retention and skill development of registered nurses and midwives currently working in the NSW public health system.
Scholarships will be offered under the following categories:
Category 1 – Clinical Studies (including postgraduate study leading to registration as a midwife)
Category 2 – Education
Category 3 – Management
The Nursing and Midwifery postgraduate scholarships on offer for 2013 consist of a single payment which is dependent upon the postgraduate qualification being undertaken. Scholarships will be awarded as a contribution toward the cost of courses at the following levels:
| Postgraduate Qualification | Amount |
| Graduate Certificate | $2,000 |
| Graduate Diploma | $4,000 |
| Masters Program | $6,000 |
Mental health and drug and alcohol postgraduate scholarships are funded by the Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Office and administered by the Nursing and Midwifery Office.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Only one scholarship per program of study will be awarded. For example:
Ms Jones enrols in a Graduate Diploma in 2013 and intends to take two or three years to complete this course. If she was deemed to be successful and awarded $4,000 for study in 2013, she is not eligible to apply for another scholarship until 2016 for the same program of study.
Only one scholarship will be awarded to an applicant in a three-year timeframe. For example:
Ms Jones applies for and is awarded a $2,000 scholarship in 2013 to undertake a Graduate Certificate. Ms Jones completes the Graduate Certificate and in 2014 decides to apply for a Masters. She will not be eligible to apply for a scholarship until 2016.
The scholarships are not offered to support research projects. Funding will not be available for courses studied outside Australia or for courses run by the College of Nursing that are funded by the Ministry of Health.
Transitional Arrangements
Applicants who have already commenced a postgraduate qualification and were awarded a Nursing and Midwifery scholarship prior to 2011 will be considered for a scholarship in 2013. Successful applicants may however be awarded an amount such that the combined total is up to the amount now available in total.
Am I eligible to apply?
In addition to the criteria specified for each category below, the following criteria must be met for all three categories:
- Must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia.
- Currently employed permanently working full-time or part-time as a registered nurse or registered midwife within the NSW public health system.
Note: Applicants undertaking postgraduate study leading to registration as a midwife (midwifery student applicants) must instead show proof of having concurrent employment in a recognised midwifery student position in a public maternity service. - Must be enrolled in an Australian postgraduate course in 2013 that is accredited under the Higher Education Act (2001) of the relevant jurisdiction.
- The program of study leads to a qualification (Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or Masters) and is not a research program.
- The applicant has not received a scholarship from the Nursing and Midwifery Office either in the last three years or for the same program of study.
Category 1 - CLINICAL STUDIES
Criteria for application
- The course being studied should relate to your current role or role being sought. Applicants in other roles must be able to provide evidence of requiring the clinical expertise. Clinical studies may include patient education such as Diabetes Education.
- Applicants (except midwifery student applicants – please see next dot point) are required to submit an essay and describe in no more than 250 words how the qualification being studied will make a positive contribution to your current role and workplace or role being sought.
- Midwifery student applicants ONLY are required to submit an essay describing in no more than 250 words your understanding of the role of a midwife in the current Australian health setting.
- Submit completed essential documentation as described below.
Category 2 - EDUCATION
Criteria for application
- Applicants are required to submit an essay describing in no more than 250 words how the qualification being studied will make a positive contribution to your current role and workplace.
- Submit completed essential documentation.
- Priority will be given to:
- Applicants who are currently employed or acting as a nurse/midwifery educator or clinical educator without prior tertiary education qualifications.
- Applicants in other roles who can provide evidence of requiring the educational knowledge.
Category 3 - MANAGEMENT
Criteria for application
- Applicants are required to describe in no more than 250 words how the qualification being studied will enable you to fulfil the key priorities of a nursing/midwifery management role.
- Submit completed essential documentation.
- Priority will be given to:
- Currently employed or acting for a minimum of three months in a nursing or midwifery management position without prior tertiary management qualifications.
- Currently employed or acting as a nurse or midwife manager for a minimum of three months and seeking to upgrade existing tertiary qualification.
- Currently employed and working as a registered nurse or registered midwife with at least three years experience in nursing/midwifery.
Application requirements
You are required to send the following four documents to support your application. These documents are to be received by the Health Education and Training Institute in the NSW Ministry of Health by 1 March 2013:
- Official confirmation of your enrolment in an Australian postgraduate Nursing or Midwifery course in 2013. This document must include your name, the name of the course, the year of study and a list of the subjects you have enrolled in for 2013. Generic information about course subjects will not be accepted.
NOTE: If your enrolment confirmation is unavailable at the time of application, please provide a brief letter indicating your intention to enrol and forward your enrolment confirmation when received. Enrolment confirmation must be provided by:
– 1 April 2013 for the first semester/trimester
– 2 September 2013 for semester 2 or trimester 3. - A letter from your employer in the following format:
i. Letter on Health Service letterhead from your employee services department or immediate manager
ii. Must be dated and signed (within in the last three months)
iii. State your name
iv. State the title of your position
v. State your employment status (full-time, part-time or casual)
vi. State how long you have been employed in this position.
NOTE: Applicants undertaking postgraduate study leading to registration as a midwife (midwifery student applicants) must instead show proof of having concurrent employment in a recognised midwifery student position in a public maternity service. - A signed and completed 'Statement by a Supplier' form which can be found at http://www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads/nat3346.pdf
- This is an Australian Taxation Office form. If you do not have an Australian Business Number (ABN), you will need to complete this form.
- By completing this form the Health Education and Training Institute is not obliged to deduct tax from your scholarship.
- Print your name and address in 'Section A: Supplier details'.
- In Section A, question 3, cross the most appropriate box (one only and it is usually the last box). Please note, the Health Education and Training Institute is unable to direct you as to which box to select as it relates to your personal circumstances.
- In 'Section B: Declaration', sign where it says 'Signature of supplier (or authorised person)'. Unsigned and/or incomplete forms will not be processed and your application will be deemed to be unsuccessful.
- A sample of a completed form is provided here.
- A completed Health Education and Training Institute Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) Payment Form. Please note that payments cannot be made into credit card accounts.
Supply of Documents
It is preferable that you send your supporting documentation by Express Post so that you can track its delivery status by going to: http://www.auspost.com.au/track/
Please send your completed documents to:
Attention: Donna Fong
Education and Training Implementation Portfolio
Health Education and Training Institute
Locked Bag 5022
Gladesville NSW 1675
Online application form
Please read the entire terms and conditions and frequently asked questions before proceeding to the online application.
Click here for the online application
Online application opens on 3 December 2012 and closes 5pm 1 March 2013.
Only online applications will be accepted. You must complete all parts of the application form. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
You need to complete your online application in one session and once submitted your application cannot be changed. Therefore, it is strongly recommended that you write your essay in a Word document before you fill out the online application form. Save the essay to your hard drive, then copy and paste it into the required field on the online application form.
When your application is lodged electronically, you will be allocated a unique registration ID number which you will need in order to re-access your application. It is advisable to print off your completed application with your unique registration ID number.
Frequently asked questions
How will my application be assessed?
Scholarships are awarded by a selection panel. Decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. The number of scholarships allocated is subject to total funds available within the 2013 postgraduate scholarship budget. Applications will be subject to cull, based on scholarship criteria and the provision of essential supporting documents within the required timeframe.
What if I have written the wrong essay or submitted incomplete paperwork?
Scholarship applications are only able to be assessed based on the information provided by the applicant. If the applicant has written the wrong essay or submitted incomplete paperwork, then that is what will be assessed by the panel. The responsibility to submit the correct essay and completed and signed paperwork lies with the applicant.
When will I know the outcome of my application?
All applicants will be notified by email by the end of April 2013.
If successful, how much money will I receive?
Successful applicants will receive a single payment dependent upon the postgraduate qualification being undertaken. Scholarships are awarded as a contribution toward the cost of courses at the following levels:
| Postgraduate Qualification | Amount |
| Graduate Certificate | $2,000 |
| Graduate Diploma | $4,000 |
| Masters Program | $6,000 |
What if I am receiving another scholarship?
People who receive funding from another source for the same course of study may have their scholarship amount reduced or withdrawn. Please ensure you provide information about other scholarships or funding that you are receiving.
When will I receive my scholarship payment?
Letters via email will be sent to all applicants by the end of April 2013. It can take up to six weeks to process payments into nominated bank accounts from this time. Please note however unexpected delays can occur.
What can I use my scholarship funding for?
Scholarship funding is provided to assist applicants with educational expenses directly associated with their postgraduate study. The Health Education and Training Institute do not require expenditure receipts, however these should be retained by the applicant for taxation purposes.
What if I defer, withdraw or change my subjects in 2013?
Successful applicants who defer or withdraw from their course being studied in 2013 must notify the Health Education and Training Institute in writing within seven days. Full or partial repayment of scholarship funding may be required, subject to individual review.
Note: If a student owes outstanding money from a previous scholarship the offer of the new scholarship will be withheld until the funds are repaid, or if an overpayment is identified or your do not continue with your course. (Subject to individual review)
What if I am commencing my study mid-year in 2013?
You must submit your application by the scholarship closing date of 3 March 2013. If your enrolment confirmation is unavailable at this time please indicate your intention to enrol and forward your enrolment as soon as possible.
Income tax advice
Full-time students: Scholarships are considered to be tax exempt income for students who are studying full time at university.
Part-time students: Generally, scholarship funding provided to part time students, regardless of their employment status, is not considered to be tax exempt income. However, as long as the scholarship funding is used for non-tax deductible expenses, it may be classified as exempt income.
Please seek independent advice regarding your personal circumstances where necessary.
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Advice
An FBT issue arises with employees of the public health system who receive funding from the NSW Ministry of Health. Please note the following:
- If the course being studied directly relates to current employment, the taxable value of the benefit will be reduced to nil. If there is a nil taxable value there is a nil FBT liability.
- If the course being studied does not directly relate to current employment, the full scholarship payment will attract FBT.
Please seek independent advice regarding your personal circumstances where necessary.
Further information
All successful applicants may be required to participate in an evaluation or telephone survey regarding scholarships provided under the Health Education and Training Institute.
For further information about this scholarship please contact the Project Officer by email at nscholar@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
