2009 Postgraduate Nursing and Midwifery Scholarships
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED – ALL CATEGORIESHow will my application be assessed?
When will I know if my application is successful?
If successful, how much money will I receive?
What if I am receiving another scholarship?
When will I receive my scholarship payment?
What can I use my scholarship funding for?
What if I defer, withdraw or change my subjects in 2008?
What if I am commencing my study mid-year in 2008?
Income tax advice
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) advice
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED - ALL CATEGORIES
Applicants applying for any of the above categories are required to provide the following six (6) documents:-
**IMPORTANT** - when printing off the application form, please ensure your printer setting for Page Scaling is set to 'None'. Applications will not process correctly unless printed in this format.
- Confirmation of current employment as required for the category of a scholarship. This is a recent letter (within the last three months) on hospital or Area Health Service letterhead from your Employee Services Department or immediate manager stating your name, that you are currently employed, your Award Classification, how long you have been employed in the position.
- A copy of your official enrolment confirmation from your course provider. 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 2009. Generic information about course subjects will not be accepted.
If your enrolment confirmation is unavailable at the time of application, please indicate your intention to enrol and forward your enrolment confirmation as soon as possible so that your application can be assessed.
Note: Where the course you undertake is not clearly a "nursing' or "midwifery" course, consideration will be given to the relationship between your current role and the course being undertaken. A covering letter to support this may be submitted.
- A copy of your official 2008 course results (if you have previously received a postgraduate scholarship from the NSW Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Fund).
- A completed 'Statement by a Supplier' form, which can be found at www.ato.gov.au/content/downloads/nat3346a.pdf. This is an Australian Taxation Office form. By completing this form the NSW Department 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'.
Note: the Nursing and Midwifery Office is unable to advise which box to tick, as it relates to your own personal circumstances.
- A stamped, self-addressed envelope to receive confirmation, that your application has been received in the Nursing and Midwifery Office.
If you are successful you will be required to provide a copy of your official 2009 course results, when available. This information is collected for evaluation purposes and to ensure you have undertaken the same number of subjects for which you received funding. A refund of scholarship funding will be requested should an overpayment be identified (subject to individual review).
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 in the 2009 postgraduate scholarship budget. Successful applicants will receive $1,000 per subject, to a maximum of $8,000.
Scholarships will not be provided to students enrolled in a course that is funded by the NSW Department of Health and conducted by The College of Nursing.
When will I know if my application is successful?
Letters to all applicants will be sent by the end of April 2009.
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.
Area Health Services will be provided with information on successful scholarship recipients within their Health Service.
If successful, how much money will I receive?
Funding will be allocated on a per subject basis at $1,000 per subject being studied in 2009. Funding will not be provided for subjects commencing outside of 2009. You should be aware that scholarship funding may not cover the whole of course costs, and that there is an expectation that applicant's will be required to self-fund a proportion of their study.
If you are successful you will receive an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form. This form must be completed and returned to the Nursing and Midwifery Office so that the scholarship payment can be processed. The postal address is
Nursing and Midwifery Office
Locked Mail Bag 961
The form can also be faxed to (02) 9391 9468.
Payments cannot be made into credit card accounts.
What if I am receiving another scholarship?
Nurses and Midwives who receive funding from other source/s for the same course of study may have their scholarship amount reduced or withdrawn. Please ensure you indicate this on the application form.
When will I receive my scholarship payment?
The scholarship payment process begins upon our receipt of the completed EFT forms. It can take up to five weeks to process payments into nominated bank accounts from this time. Please be patient as unexpected delays can occur.
What can I use my scholarship funding for?
Scholarship funding is provided to assist nurses and midwives with educational expenses directly associated with their postgraduate study. The Nursing and Midwifery Office does not require expenditure receipts, however you should retain these for taxation purposes.
What if I defer, withdraw or change my subjects in 2008?
If you defer or withdraw from your course or change the number of subjects being studied during 2009 you must notify the Nursing and Midwifery Office in writing within seven days. Full or partial repayment of scholarship funding may be required. This will be subject to individual review.
What if I am commencing my study mid-year in 2008?
You will still need to submit an application for a scholarship by the closing date of 28 February 2009. If your enrolment confirmation is not available by the closing date of 28 February 2009 please indicate your intention to enrol into a mid year course and forward your enrolment as soon as possible so that your application can be progressed.
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. It is recommended that you seek independent advice regarding your personal circumstances.
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) advice
An FBT issue arises with employees of the public health system who receive funding from the NSW Department of Health.
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.
It is recommended that you seek independent advice regarding your personal circumstances.
Where can I get more information?
For further information about this scholarship please contact the Project Officer, Scholarships on (02) 9391 9813 only between the hours of 9am - 10am and 3.00pm - 4.00 pm or via email at nscholar@doh.health.nsw.gov.au.
**IMPORTANT** - when printing off the application form, please ensure your printer setting for Page Scaling is set to 'None'. Applications will not process correctly unless printed in this format.
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/resources/nursing/scholarships/2009_pg_pdf.asp