Scholarships and Financial Assistance

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Scholarships and Financial Assistance
Section 5:
Scholarships and Financial
Assistance
There are a wide variety of scholarships and grants available both within Queensland and
nationally. Below you will find a list of some of the major scholarships available from the Australian
Government, Queensland Government and other organisations.
There are many more scholarships available than what is included here. Many scholarships (like
the ones below) are offered to cover university tuition fees but there are also a vast array of
scholarships and grants that are available for other purposes. These purposes could be for:
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recognising high marks at high school and/or university
buying books and laptops
paying for accommodation
paying for clinical placements
conducting research
assisting students with financial difficulties
There is a comprehensive searchable database on the Health Careers in the Bush website that
provides further information on the types of funding available. In fact there are over 200 options!
www.healthcareersinthebush.com. Scholarships and grants can be administered by many organisations
including your chosen university, Rotary, Lions, other charities and research institutes. Check out
the database for a one-stop-shop for scholarship and grants information.
Scholarships for Medicine
Bonded Medical Places Scheme (BMP)
The BMP Scheme is an Australian Government initiative where universities are provided with
funding to accept additional applicants for medical school.There is no direct funding to the student
and you will still pay your student contribution fees.
Accepting a BMP Scheme place at medical school means you agree to work in a District of
Workforce Shortage (as determined by the Department of Health and Ageing) of your choice for
the period of time equal to the length of your medical degree.Your return of service commences
once you have qualified for your Fellowship.
Enquiries:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
1800 987 104
[email protected]
www.health.gov.au/bmpscheme
www.healthcareersinthebush.com
August 2010
John Flynn Placement Program (JFPP)
The JFPP, funded by the Australian Government, is a program that places medical students with a
rural doctor and a local community contact for a minimum of two full weeks per year, normally
over a four year period. Students are placed in the same community each year and are expected
to complete the entire eight weeks of placements by the last holiday period following completion
of their medical course.This program is designed to enhance the students understanding of health
care delivery in a rural setting while also getting a feel for the rural lifestyle over the course of
their degree.
There are approximately 300 new placements available each year and students have their travel
and accommodation costs covered as well as receiving $500 to pay for living expenses while on
their placement.
Enquiries:
Phone: Email: Website:
Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine
1800 231 231
[email protected]
www.acrrm.org.au
Medical Rural Bonded Scholarship Scheme (MRBSS)
The MRBSS is an Australian Government initiative that provides 100 scholarships to new medical
students each year. Your do not have to be from a rural area to apply. The scholarship is $23,000
a year, indexed annually and currently tax free. Scholars must commit to at least six years of rural
practice once they complete their basic medical and postgraduate training. Enquiries:
Phone: Email: Website:
Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing
1800 248 720
[email protected]
www.health.gov.au/mrbscholarships
Rural Australia Medical Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme (RAMUS)
The RAMUS Scheme is an Australian Government initiative and assists selected students to study
medicine at university. Scholarships are only available to students from a rural background and
scholars receive $10,000 a year during the completion of a standard medical degree at their
chosen university.The scholarships are not bonded.There are approximately 100 new scholarships
made available each year.
Enquiries:
Phone: Email: Website:
National Rural Health Alliance
1800 460 440
[email protected]
www.ruralhealth.org.au
www.healthcareersinthebush.com
August 2010
Scholarships for Nursing
Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme
The Aged Care Nursing Scholarship Scheme is an Australian Government initiative aimed at
encouraging more people to enter aged care nursing, particularly in regional, rural and remote
Australia. The Scheme provides financial assistance of up to $5,000 per semester, to a maximum
of $30,000 per applicant, to assist in meeting costs incurred while studying undergraduate nursing.
Scholarships will be available to students in any year of an undergraduate nursing degree but must
be studying towards Registered Nursing. There are 10 scholarships that are for Aboriginal or
Torres Strait Islander applicants.
Enquiries:
Phone: Website:
Royal College of Nursing
1800 061 660
www.rcna.org.au
Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS)
The NAHASS replaced the Nursing Scholarship Scheme: Rural and Remote Undergraduate on 1st
July, 2010.
The NAHSSS Scheme is funded by the Australian Government and is available to applicants
who meet the eligibilty criteria and are enrolled in (or about to enroll in) the following elegible
courses:
yy Diploma of Enrolled Nursing
yy Bachelor of Nursing
yy Bachelor of Midwifery
yy Bachelor of Nursing/Midwifery
Scholarship holders will receive $10,000 each year during their entry level nursing course. The
scholarships are not bonded.
Enquiries:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
Royal College of Nursing
1800 117 262
[email protected]
www.rcna.org.au
Scholarships for Pharmacy
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pharmacy Scholarship Scheme
The Scheme is funded by the Australia Government and is aimed at encouraging Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander students to undertake studies in Pharmacy at University. Scholars will have
mentors in rural Pharmacy to assist them throughout the course of their studies. A total of 3
scholarships valued at $15,000 per annum for a maximum of four years are offered annually.
Enquiries:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
(02) 6270 1888
[email protected]
www.guild.org.au/rural
www.healthcareersinthebush.com
August 2010
Rural Pharmacy Scholarships Scheme
The Rural Pharmacy Scholarships, funded by the Australia Government, have been established to
provide financial support to encourage and enable students from rural and remote communities
to undertake undergraduate or graduate studies in pharmacy at University. There are up to
30 scholarships offered annually, with a value of $10,000 per annum per student up to a maximum
of $40,000. Scholarship recipients are encouraged to seek employment in rural and remote areas
following graduation.
Enquiries:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
The Pharmacy Guild of Australia
(02) 6270 1888
[email protected]
www.guild.org.au/rural
Scholarships for Multiple Disciplines
Australian Defence Force Sponsored Undergraduate
The ADF Sponsored Undergraduate scheme is available to students who have successfully
completed the first year of a relevant degree at any university in Australia. If sponsored, you’ll
continue to study at your university until the end of your degree.The ADF will pay you a salary up
to $39,137 per year during the course of your study and they will also pay your HELP contributions
(University fees).
As an ADF undergraduate, you will also receive enormous benefits such free medical and dental
care and subsidised meals and accommodation. The ADF will also pay for your tuition, textbooks,
student contribution expenses, and library and student union fees.
If you have completed an undergraduate degree and wish to continue on to a Medical degree, the
ADF have a Graduate Medical Scheme where they will pay you up to $58, 290 per year as well as
your university fees as you study towards becoming a Medical Officer in the Navy, Army, or Air
Force.
There will be a repayment of service requirement to the ADF once your have graduated.
Enquires:
Phone:
Website:
Australian Defence Force
13 19 01
www.defencejobs.gov.au
Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme
The Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme is funded by the Australian Government and was
established in recognition of Dr Arnold (‘Puggy’) Hunter’s significant contribution to Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander health.
The scholarship provides financial assistance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who
are undertaking study or are intending to undertake study in a health related discipline at an
undergraduate or TAFE (Certificate IV and above) level in the areas of:
yy Aboriginal Health Worker
yy Alcohol and other drugs workers
yy Allied Health (excluding Pharmacy) www.healthcareersinthebush.com
August 2010
yy Dentistry/Oral Health
yy Health Service Management
yy Health Promotion
yy Medicine
yy Mental health
yy Midwifery
yy Nursing
Scholars receive up $15,000 per year for the usual term of the course.
Enquiries:
Phone: Website:
Royal College of Nursing
1800 061 660
www.rcna.org.au
Queensland Health Rural Scholarship Scheme (QHRSS)
The QHRSS, funded by the Queensland Government, provides financial assistance to students
to support them during full-time undergraduate tertiary study in their chosen field. Following
graduation, Scholarship holders are contracted to be employed by Queensland Health Service
Districts in rural health care facilities throughout the state, providing rural communities with
essential health services.
Scholars receive $10,000 - $20,000 per year depending on their course of study. The length of the
repayment of service years is also dependant on the course of study.
Eligible courses are:
yy Dentistry
yy Dietetics/Nutrition
yy Medicine
yy Nursing
yy Occupational Therapy
yy Oral Health
yy Pharmacy
yy Physiotherapy
yy Podiatry
yy Psychology (Clinical Masters)
yy Radiography
yy Social Work
yy Speech Pathology
Enquiries:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
Queensland Health, Rural Health Connections
1800 680 291
[email protected]
www.health.qld.gov.au/orh
www.healthcareersinthebush.com
August 2010
Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship and Support Scheme (NAHSSS)
The NAHASS replaced the RAHUS Scheme on 1st July, 2010.
The NAHSSS Scheme is funded by the Australian Government and is available to applicants from
rural or remote areas who are studying the following disciplines:
yy Aboriginal Health Worker (Certificate IV and above only)
yy Audiology
yy Chiropractic
yy Dietetics and Nutrition
yy Dental and Oral Health
yy Exercise Physiology (AAESS approved only)
yy Medical Radiation Sciences (Medical Imaging, Radiation Therapy, Nuclear Medicine)
yy Occupational Therapy
yy Optometry
yy Orthoptics
yy Osteopathy
yy Physiotherapy
yy Podiatry
yy Psychology (Honours or Postgraduate courses only)
yy Social Work (AASW approved only)
yy Speech Pathology
yy Sonography
Scholarship holders will receive $10,000 each year during their entry level allied health or oral
health professional studies. These funds assist scholars to cover the costs of moving from their
homes and support structure in the country and settling to university study and living in the city.
The scholarships are not bonded.
Enquiries:
Phone:
Email:
Website:
Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health
1800 338 061
[email protected]
www.sarrah.org.au
Other Types of Funding
Indigenous Cadetship Support Program (ICS)
The ICS is an Australian Government initiative that improves the professional employment
prospects of Indigenous Australians.
Under the ICS, Indigenous cadets enrol in full-time study in a diploma, advanced diploma, or
undergraduate degree course. During their course of study, they undertake an annual 12 week
(or equivalent) work placement with an employer, which compliments their course of study.
The expectation is that the cadet will commence employment with the employer on successful
completion of their cadetship.
Cadets receive up to $13, 000 each year to cover study-related costs. Cadets are also paid a wage
by their employer during their work placement and often a travel allowance is also available.
Once registered on the ICS website your will be placed on a database and you can either wait for
interested employers to contact you, or you can contact them directly. Please enquire at ICS.
www.ics.deewr.gov.au
www.healthcareersinthebush.com
August 2010
Queensland Health is registered as an employer under the ICS program.They offer many cadetship
positions in areas such Audiology, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Physiotherapy, and
Pharmacy.
In particular, the Office of the Chief Nursing Officer, Queensland Health close applications for
nursing cadets in October and April each year. For more information on their specific cadetships
in Nursing, please contact [email protected]
Queensland Health also have a step-by-step guide on setting up a Cadetship on
www.health.qld.gov.au/clinedq/html/ah_icp.asp
HECS Reimbursement Scheme
If you study towards becoming a doctor, and you undertake further training or provide health
services in rural and remote Australia after you graduate, you may be eligible to have one-fifth of
your HECS medical fees paid off by the Australian Government for each year of service in that
rural area. Please enquire at the Department of Health and Ageing. www.health.gov.au/hecs
Queensland Health and SARRAH Clinical Placement Grants
These two organisations provide some funding to help you pay for your elective placements
undertaken throughout your degree. You must undertake your placement in a rural or remote
area of Queensland or Australia. Please enquire at Queensland Health, Office of Rural Health or
SARRAH.
www.health.qld.gov.au/orh
www.sarrah.org.au
Please note: There have been some changes to the SARRAH Clinical Placement Grants since July
2010. We recommend you check the update to date information of their website above.
Youth Allowance
Youth Allowance can assist you if you are a young person aged 25 and under who is studying,
undertaking training or an Australian Apprenticeship, looking for work or sick. We reccommend
you check the website for the most up to date information as changes are occuring in AprilJuly 2010. If you are eligible for the program, you will be paid a fortnightly allowance from the
Government while you study and/or seek employment.
www.centrelink.gov.au
Austudy
Austudy provides financial help if you are 25 years or more and studying or undertaking an
Australian Apprenticeship full-time. We recommend you check the website for the most up to
date information. If you are eligible for the program, you will be paid a fortnightly allowance from
the Government while you study and/or seek employment.
www.centrelink.gov.au
ABSTUDY
ABSTUDY is an allowance that may help you stay at school or in further study if you are an
Indigenous secondary or tertiary student or a full-time Australian Apprentice.We recommend you
check the website for the most up to date information. If you are eligible for the program, you will
be paid a fortnightly allowance from the Government while you study and/or seek employment.
www.centrelink.gov.au
www.healthcareersinthebush.com
August 2010