Mental Health Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse Scholarships - 2008 Round 1 (closed)
Am I eligible to apply?What documents are required?
When will I know if my application is successful?
What happens next?
When will I receive my scholarship payment?
What can I use my scholarship funding for?
What if I can't find a suitable and available position as an enrolled nurse in a designated mental health role within the NSW public health system?
Am I eligible if I do not work in a designated mental health role but my role involves a lot of mental health?
What if I am commencing my Bachelor of Nursing degree mid year in 2008?
What if I defer, withdraw or change my course in 2008?
How are scholarships awarded?
Income Tax Advice
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Advice
Where can I get more information?
Please note, that due to an overwhelming number of applications received for round 1 2008, a second round of mental health enrolled nurse to registered nurse scholarships will not be offered in 2008.
These scholarships will be offered again in 2009. Please check this site around September 2008 for further information.
The following information relates to round 1 2008 (closed).
Scholarships up to $1,000 per subject are available to Enrolled Nurses currently working/seeking employment in a designated mental health role within the NSW public health system, who will be undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2008.
Am I eligible to apply?
- Are you employed/seeking employment as an enrolled nurse in the NSW public health system?
- Are you currently working/seeking employment in a designated mental health role?
- Will you be undertaking an Australian Bachelor of Nursing degree in 2008?
- Do you intend to work as a registered nurse in a designated mental health role within the NSW public health system upon completion of your nursing degree?
- Are you an Australian citizen or permanent resident of Australia?
- If successful, 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.
Round One - Applications opened 1 September and closed 30 November 2007.
Applications must be received in the Nursing and Midwifery Office by the closing date. Late applications will not be considered.
What documents are required?
Each applicant is required to submit the following five documents:-
- A completed and signed original application form (see below).
- Confirmation of employment as an enrolled nurse within the NSW public health system. This is a current letter (within the last three months) on hospital or Area Health Service letterhead from your employee services department or immediate manager stating your name, position and role in the work place and that you are currently working in a designated mental health role; OR
Written documentation to support any attempts to secure employment as an enrolled nurse in a designated mental health role within the NSW public health system.
- A written statement of your intention to work as a registered nurse in a designated mental health role within the NSW public health system upon completion of your nursing degree.
- A completed Statement by a Supplier form.
This is an Australian Taxation Office form. By completing this form, the NSW Department of Health will not be 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 appropriate box (one only) and sign where it says 'Signature of supplier or authorised person'. Note: applicants should seek independent advice if uncertain about which box to tick.
5. A stamped, self-addressed envelope to receive confirmation that your application has been received in the Nursing and Midwifery Office.
Further Documents Required (Successful Applicants Only)
If your application is successful you will be asked to provide:
- a copy of your official enrolment confirmation from your course provider. This document needs to include your name, the name of the course and a list of the subjects that you have enrolled in for 2008. Generic information about course subjects will not be accepted. Where on-line print outs are provided, please ensure that the course provider is clearly identifiable.
- a copy of your official 2007 course results (if you have previously received a mental health enrolled nurse to registered nurse scholarship); and
- a copy of your official 2008 course results, when available.
When will I know if my application is successful?
Applicants will be notified by letter about the outcome of their application by late December 2007.
Please note however that unexpected delays sometimes occur.
What happens next?
If successful, and once all requested documentation has been received in the Nursing and Midwifery Office, you will receive a letter confirming your scholarship amount.
You will also be provided with a NSW Department of Health Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) form.
This form must be completed and either sent or faxed to the Nursing and Midwifery Office so that your scholarship payment can be processed.
The postal address for the Nursing and Midwifery Office is:
Locked Mail Bag 961, North Sydney, NSW, 2059
Fax (02) 9391 9468
Note: Area Health Services will be provided with information on successful scholarship recipients within their Area.
If successful, how much money will I receive?
Scholarships are valued at $1,000 per subject being studied in 2008, to a maximum of $8,000.
Funding will be adjusted if money is received for your course from another source.
Funding will not be provided to people receiving a Mental Health Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse or Rural Undergraduate Scholarship in 2008, or for subjects previously funded by the NSW Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship Fund.
When will I receive my scholarship payment?
The scholarship payment process begins when the Nursing and Midwifery Office receives your completed EFT form.
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 can I use my scholarship funding for?
Scholarship funding is provided to assist students with educational expenses directly associated with their post enrolment course.
The Nursing and Midwifery Office does not require receipts, however these should be retained by the applicant for taxation purposes.
What if I can't find a suitable and available position as an enrolled nurse in a designated mental health role within the NSW public health system?
Contact the Principal Advisor Mental Health Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Office on telephone (02) 9424 5746.
Am I eligible if I do not work in a designated mental health role but my role involves a lot of mental health?
Please check with the Principal Advisor Mental Health Nursing for further clarification on telephone (02) 9424 5746
What if I am commencing my Bachelor of Nursing degree mid year in 2008?
You will still need to get your application in by the scholarship closing date of 30 April 2008.
If the requested paperwork is not available at this time, please forward as soon as possible so that your application can be progressed.
What if I defer, withdraw or change my course in 2008?
Successful applicants who defer, withdraw from or change their course during 2008 must notify the Nursing and Midwifery Office in writing within seven days.
Full or partial repayment of scholarship funding may be required after review of individual circumstances.
Am I eligible to apply for this scholarship if I am a casual employee?
Yes, so long as you are employed on the casual pool of an Area Health Service and not employed through an Agency.
You must provide evidence that you are on a specialty mental health casual pool or that you have requested regular shifts within a designated mental health facility.
How are scholarships awarded?
Scholarships are awarded at the discretion of the scholarship provider or by a selection panel.
Decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into.
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 taxation advice regarding your personal circumstances where required.
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) Advice
An FBT issue arises with employees in the public health system who receive funding from the NSW Department 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.
Where can I get more information?
For more information about this scholarship please contact the Project Officer Scholarships via email or telephone (02) 9391 9813 between the hours of 9.00am to 10.00am and 3.00pm to 4.00pm.
For information about employment opportunities in mental health please contact the Principal Advisor Mental Health Nursing on telephone (02) 9424 5746.
**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.
2008 Mental Health Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse Scholarship Application Form - Round 1 (closed)
This web page is managed and authorised by Nursing & Midwifery Office of the NSW Department of Health. Last updated: 31 March, 2009