Aboriginal Post Enrolment Scholarships
How do I prove my Aboriginality? | When Will I Know If My Application Is Successful? | If Successful, How Much Money Will I Receive? | When Will I Receive My Scholarship Payment? | What If I Defer, Withdraw Or Change My Subjects? | What Can I Use My Scholarship Funding For? | Refunds | Statement by Supplier Form (SBS) | Income Tax Advice | Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) AdviceScholarships up to $1,000 are available to Aboriginal Enrolled Nurses who undertake post enrolment studies relating to their nursing role.
Am I eligible to apply?
- Are you an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person?
- Are you currently enrolled with the Nurses and Midwives Board of Australia as an Enrolled Nurse?
- Are you living in NSW?
- Are you undertaking post enrolment studies relating to your in nursing role?
- Is the course you will undertake accredited by the Vocational Education and Training Accreditation Board (VETAB)?
- Are you willing to participate in an evaluation or telephone survey about the NSW Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Fund?
If you answered yes to the above questions you are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
The following documents need to be sent with your application in order to be eligible:
- Copy of your Confirmation of Aboriginality or a Statutory Declaration confirming Aboriginality. Either document must state that you:
- are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander decent
- identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander; and
- are accepted as such in the community where you live.
(For further information please refer to the section on Frequently Asked Questions)
- Copy of Enrolment in an accredited VETAB post enrolment course.
- Copy of your Enrolled Nurse ‘Authority to Practice’.
- A completed 'Statement by a Supplier' form, which can be found at http://www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads/nat3346.pdf
- A completed ‘EFT Form’
- For continuing students who have previously received a NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship, please send in a copy of your official results from the previous semester.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I prove my Aboriginality?
Confirmation of Aboriginality can be obtained from an Aboriginal community controlled organisation registered under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1967 or an incorporated community organisations where all members of the governing body are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders or both.
When Will I Know If My Application Is Successful?
Applicants will be notified by letter about the outcome of their application.
Selection
Scholarships are awarded by a selection panel. Decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
What Happens Next?
If successful, and once all requested documentation has been received, you will receive confirmation of your scholarship offer.
If Successful, How Much Money Will I Receive?
Scholarships are valued at up to $1,000 per course. Funding will be adjusted if money is received for your course from another source.
When Will I Receive My Scholarship Payment?
It may take up to five weeks to process payments into nominated bank accounts from this time. Please note however that unexpected delays sometimes occur. Payments cannot be made into credit card accounts. A remittance advice will be forwarded to you.
What If I Defer, Withdraw Or Change My Subjects?
Successful applicants who defer or withdraw from their course or change the number of subjects being studied during the year must notify the Nursing and Midwifery Office in writing within seven days. Full or partial repayment of scholarship funding may be required to be returned after review of individual circumstances.
What Can I Use My Scholarship Funding For?
Scholarship funding is provided to assist students with educational expenses directly associated with their undergraduate nursing or midwifery degree. The Nursing and Midwifery Office does not require receipts, however these should be retained by the applicant for taxation purposes.
Refunds
A refund of scholarship funding will be requested should an overpayment be identified, or if you do not continue with your course (subject to individual review).
Statement by Supplier Form (SBS)
This is an Australian Taxation Office form. By completing this form the NSW Ministry of Health is not obliged to deduct a nominal amount of tax from any scholarship funding provided, for not reporting an Australian Business Number.
When completing the Statement by a Supplier form the top section that says 'Name of supplier' and 'Address of supplier' refers to your name and address. Tick the most appropriate box (one only) and sign where it says 'Signature of supplier or authorised person'.
The form may be downloaded directly from the taxation office at:- www.ato.gov.au/content /downloads/nat3346.pdf
Note: 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.
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 taxation advice regarding your personal circumstances where required.
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Advice
FBT issue arises with employees in 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 duties, 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 duties, the full scholarship payment will attract FBT.
Please seek independent taxation advice regarding your personal circumstances where required.
What Is an Electronic Transfer Funds (EFT) Form?
This form gives us the details of your bank account so we can forward your scholarship if awarded.
Further Information:
Ph: 1800 155 325
Email: aboriginalnursing@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Submit Completed Applications to:
Project Manager
NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Strategy
Nursing and Midwifery Office
NSW Ministry of Health
Locked Mail Bag 961
NORTH SYDNEY NSW 2059
Fax: 02 9391 9468
