Rural undergraduate scholarships 2009
When will I know if my application is successful?What happens next?
If successful, how much money will I receive?
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 2009?
What if I am commencing my degree mid-year in 2009?
How are scholarships awarded?
Income tax advice
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) advice
Contact us
Scholarships up to $1,000 per subject are available to first year rural students undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery degree in 2009.
Am I eligible?
- Are you a current resident of rural NSW?
- Have you been living in rural NSW for the last two years?
- Will you be undertaking an Australian Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery degree as a first year student in 2009?
- 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.
Applications close 30 November 2008. Applications must be received in the Nursing and Midwifery Office by the closing date. Late applications will not be considered. Incomplete applications or failure to submit documents requested will result in your application being deemed ineligible.
What documents are required?
- A completed and signed original application form.
- A 500 word essay (send in two copies please) answering the following:
- Why do you wish to become a nurse or midwife and what could you, as a nurse or midwife, offer your own rural community.
- What do you believe are some of the challenges and benefits of working as a nurse or midwife in a rural area?
- 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. 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.
- 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)
- 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 2009. 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;
- 2009 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 January 2009. Please note 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.
Nursing and Midwifery Office
Locked Mail Bag 961
North Sydney NSW 2059
Fax + 61 2 9391 9468
If successful, how much money will I receive?
Scholarships are valued at $1,000 per subject being studied in 2009, 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 persons receiving an Enrolled Nurse to Registered Nurse/Midwife or Aboriginal Scholarship in 2009, an Aboriginal cadetship offered within the NSW public health system 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 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 defer, withdraw or change my subjects in 2009?
Successful applicants who defer, change the number of subjects or withdraw from their course during 2009 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.
What if I am commencing my degree mid-year in 2009?
You will still need to get your application in by the scholarship closing date of 30 November 2008.
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 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.
-
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.
Contact us
Project Officer, Scholarships
nscholar@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
telephone +61 2 9391 9813
Monday - Friday (from 9.00am to 10.00am and 3.00pm to 4.00pm)
