2012 Postgraduate Scholarships
Essential Criteria for ALL Scholarship Categories | Category 1 – CLINICAL STUDIES | Category 2– EDUCATION | Category 3 – MANAGEMENT | How to Apply | Essential Documentation | Application | Important information for Student Midwives | Frequently Asked Questions | Further InformationScholarships 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.
The number of scholarships allocated is subject to total funds available within the 2012 postgraduate scholarship budget. Applicants will be subject to cull, based on scholarship criteria, and the provision of essential supporting documents within the required timeframe.
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Scholarships will be offered under the following categories: Category 1 - Clinical Studies (including Postgraduate study leading to registration as a midwife) |
The Nursing and Midwifery post graduate scholarships on offer for 2012 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 |
NOTE: Only one scholarship per program of study will be awarded.
For example:
Ms Jones enrols in a Graduate Diploma in 2012 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 2011, she is not eligible to apply for another scholarship until 2015 for the same program of study.
NOTE: Only one scholarship will be awarded to an applicant in a three year time frame.
For example:
Ms Jones applies for and is awarded a $2,000 scholarship in 2012 to undertake a Graduate Certificate. Ms Jones completes the Graduate Certificate and in 2013 decides to apply for a Masters. She will not be eligible to apply for a scholarship until 2015.
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.
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.
Transitional Arrangements
Applicants who have already commenced a post graduate qualification and were awarded a Nursing and Midwifery scholarship prior to 2011 will be considered for a scholarship in 2012. Successful applicants may however be awarded an amount such that the combined total is up to the amount now available in total.
Essential Criteria for ALL Scholarship Categories
The following criteria must be met for these scholarship 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 2012 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 3 years or for the same program of study.
- Completion of online application including essay.
- Evaluation including submission of qualifications.
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.
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 3 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 3 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.
How to Apply
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Applications open 1st December 2011 and close 1st March 2012 at 5.00pm. Late applications will not be accepted. |
Essential Documentation
You are required to send the following four (4) documents to support your application. These documents are to be sent to the Nursing and Midwifery Office in the NSW Ministry of Health by 1st March 2012:
- Evidence of your Enrolment in an Australian postgraduate Nursing or Midwifery course in 2012. 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 2012. Generic information about course subjects will not be accepted.
NOTE: If your enrolment confirmation is unavailable at the time you apply, please provide a brief letter indicating your intention to enrol and forward your enrolment confirmation when received. Confirmation must be provided by 1st April 2012 for the 1st semester/trimester and by 1st September 2012 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 3 months)
iii. State your name;
iv. State the title of your position;
v. State your employment status; (full-time, part-time or casual), and
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 Australian Taxation Office 'Statement by a Supplier' form which can be found here.
A sample of a completed form is provided here. Unsigned and/or incomplete forms will not be processed and will be deemed to be unsuccessful. - A completed NSW Ministry of Health Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) form which can be found here. Please note that payments cannot be made into credit card accounts.
It is preferable that you send your supporting documentation by Express Post so that you can track the delivery at www.auspost.com.au/track/
Please send your completed documents to the Nursing and Midwifery Office at the following postal address:
Nursing and Midwifery Office
NSW Ministry of Health
Locked Mail Bag 961
NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059
Application
Please read the entire terms and conditions and frequently asked questions before proceeding here to the online application.
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 your application ("cut" and "paste").
Click here for the online applicationOpens 1st December 2011 and Closes 1st March 2012 |
You will be able to lodge your on-line application between Thursday 1st December 2011 and 5pm Thursday 1st March 2012.
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. You must complete all parts of the application. Only online applications will be accepted.
Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
Important information for Student Midwives
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What scholarship category do I apply for? How do I show proof of having concurrent employment in a recognised student midwifery position in a maternity service? What if I haven’t received my letter of offer yet? What if I am commencing my study Mid Year in 2012? How do I answer the questions in Section C – Employment Details? Questions 22 – 25b do not require an answer. Please go on to Section D. |
Frequently Asked Questions
How will my application be assessed?
Scholarships are awarded by a selection panel. The number of scholarships allocated is subject to total funds available within the 2012 postgraduate scholarship budget. Applications will be subject to cull, based on scholarship criteria. The panel’s decisions are final.
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?
Letters via email will be sent to all applicants by the end of April 2012.
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:
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Postgraduate Study |
Amount |
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Graduate Certificate |
$2,000 |
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Graduate Diploma |
$4,000 |
|
Masters Program |
$6,000 |
What if I am receiving another scholarship?
Persons 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 2012. 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 use my scholarship funding for?
Scholarship funding is provided to assist applicants with educational expenses directly associated with their postgraduate study. The Nursing and Midwifery Office does 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 2012?
Successful applicants who defer or withdraw from their course being studied in 2011 must notify the Nursing and Midwifery Office 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 2012?
You must submit your application by the scholarship closing date of 1st March 2012.
If your enrolment confirmation is unavailable at this time please indicate your intention to enrol and forward your enrolment as soon as possible.
What is a Statement by a Supplier form?
This is an Australian Taxation Office form. By completing this form the NSW Ministry of Health is not obliged to deduct tax from your scholarship. If you do not have an Australian Business Number (ABN), you will need to fill out the form. When completing the Statement by Supplier form the top section that says ‘Name of supplier’ and ‘Address of supplier’ this is where you print your name and address;
Tick the most appropriate box (one only and it is usually the last box) and sign where it says ‘Signature of supplier or authorised person’.
A sample of a completed form is provided here.
Please note that the Nursing and Midwifery Office is unable to advise which box to tick, as it relates to your own personal circumstances.
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 NSW Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Fund.
For further information about this scholarship please contact the Project Officer by email at nscholar@doh.health.nsw.gov.au.
