Aboriginal Undergraduate Scholarships 2009
Am I eligible?Documents required
When will I know if my application is successful?
Can I apply for a scholarship each year of my study?
Selection
What happens next?
If successful, how much money will I receive?
What if I defer, withdraw or change my subjects in 2009?
What can I use my scholarship funding for?
Income tax advice
Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) advice
Scholarships up to $1,000 per subject are available to Aboriginal students undertaking a Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery in 2009. This is an on line application process and you must read the Terms and Conditions before completing the application form. Please follow the links.
Am I eligible?
- Are you an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person?
- Are you living in NSW?
- Will you be undertaking an Australian Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery course in 2009?
- 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. Enrolled nurses are encouraged to apply.
Applications including all required documents must be received by 5.00 pm on the closing date. Late applications will not be considered. Please post your application in time to reach us before the closing date. Faxed copies or emailed applications will not be accepted.
Please note: scholarships will not be provided to any applicant undertaking a NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Undergraduate Cadetship in a NSW Area Health Service.
Documents required
- A completed and signed original application form.
- A 500 word essay (send in two copies please) that addresses:
- why you want to pursue nursing or midwifery as a career
- why it is important to have Aboriginal people working as nurses or midwives; and
- how this scholarship will assist you in completing your undergraduate nursing or midwifery studies.
- 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 quoting 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.
4. A 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 descent
- identify as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and
- that you are accepted as such in the community in which you live.
Confirmation of Aboriginality can be obtained from an Aboriginal community controlled organisation registered under the Aboriginal Councils and Associations Act 1967 or incorporated community organisations where all members of the governing body are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders or both.
This Statutory Declaration must be approved by a resolution at a formal meeting of the organisation's governing body and the record of such a resolution is to be sealed by the common seal of the organisation and signed by the authorised signatories.
5.For continuing students who have previously received an Aboriginal undergraduate scholarship from the NSW Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship fund, please send a copy of your Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery course results to date.
6.A stamped, self-addressed envelope to receive confirmation that your application has been received in the Nursing and Midwifery Office.
Further documents - succcessful applicants only
- enrolment form that identifies your name, the course you are undertaking, the course provider and which lists the subjects you will be studying in 2009 and
- results for 2009, 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 February 2009. Please note that unexpected delays sometimes occur.
Can I apply for a scholarship each year of my study?
Applications for Aboriginal undergraduate scholarships can be made each year of study, up to a maximum of six years for part-time and distance education students. Special consideration may be given subject to review of individual circumstances. A separate application must be submitted each year by the closing date.
Selection
What happens next?
If successful, and once all requested documentation has been received in the Nursing and Midwifery Office, you will receive confirmation of your scholarship offer. 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 OfficeLocked 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 or Rural Undergraduate Scholarship, for any subjects previously funded by the NSW Nursing and Midwifery scholarship fund, or to any applicant undertaking a NSW Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Undergraduate Cadetship in a NSW Area Health Service.
When will I receive my scholarship payment?
The scholarship payment process begins upon receipt by the Nursing and Midwifery Office of 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 if I defer, withdraw or change my subjects in 2009?
Successful applicants who defer or withdraw from their course or change the number of subjects being studied 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 can I use my scholarship funding for?
Scholarship funding is provided to assist students with educational expenses directly associated with their undergraduate Bachelor of Nursing or Bachelor of Midwifery course. The Nursing and Midwifery Office does not require receipts, however, these should be retained by the applicant for taxation purposes.
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.
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.
Further information
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 and 4.00pm)
For further information regarding nursing or midwifery careers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, please contact:
Project Manager, Aboriginal Nursing and Midwifery Strategy
Telephone + 61 2 9391 9367
aboriginalnursing@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.