Affinity Nursing and Midwifery Scholarship

This scholarship program is open for you to apply if:

1. You are studying one of the following degrees:
   • Bachelor of Nursing Science 2nd and 3rd year students
   • Bachelor of Nursing Science-Bachelor of Midwifery 2nd, 3rd or 4th year students
   • Graduate diploma of Nursing,
   • Graduate diploma of Midwifery, and
   • Master of Nursing.
2. Undertaking clinical placement.
3. Australian Citizen and Permanent residents.
4. Home original address has a regional rating of RA2-RA7 (ASGS Remoteness Areas (2021)).

If you are a successful applicant of this scholarship, you will receive $2,000 lump sum payment into your personal account.

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made.

Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your JCU academic record
• Outline of your financial situation
• Proof of home original address has a regional rating of RA2-RA7 (ASGS Remoteness Areas (2021)).
• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  • commitment to supporting and working in rural and remote communities
  • clinical placement you have or will undertake
  • impact scholarship will have on your capacity to complete your clinical placement.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquires as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authoriSation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Your application is checked for completeness and eligibility, and you will receive an email confirmation it has been received. After the closing date it will be individually assessed and put forward to a selection committee who will rank your application against others who have applied.

Introduction

Affinity is one of Australia’s leading workforce solutions organisations who specialist in partnering with state/territory health departments and other private providers. At Affinity, our mission is to “bring the best healthcare professionals to every corner of Australia to improve patient care”. Affinity has a strong emphasis on supporting the needs of the rural and remote communities and acknowledges the many barriers and challenges these individuals endure when accessing healthcare services.

The purpose of the Affinity Scholarship is to engage and support aspiring nurses and midwives to gain their tertiary education. Affinity is cognisant that nursing and midwifery students face many difficulties and hardships to attend clinical placement. Vulnerable students often lack financial and social support which can be a significant barrier to completing their qualification. Affinity will provide financial support to the successful recipients with the aim to alleviate stress and hardship.

This scholarship is subject to the provisions of James Cook University’s Coursework Scholarships, Bursaries and Grants Policy.

Value and Payment of the Scholarship

The value of the scholarship $2,000.

Payments are made in a lump sum into your personal account. Upon acceptance of scholarship.

Eligibility Criteria

This scholarship program is open for you to apply if:

1. You are studying one of the following degrees:
   • Bachelor of Nursing Science 2nd and 3rd year students
   • Bachelor of Nursing Science-Bachelor of Midwifery 2nd, 3rd or 4th year students
   • Graduate diploma of Nursing,
   • Graduate diploma of Midwifery, and
   • Master of Nursing.
2. Undertaking clinical placement.
3. Australian Citizen and Permanent residents.
4. Home original address has a regional rating of RA2-RA7 (ASGS Remoteness Areas (2021)).

Selection Criteria

The Selection Committee shall, in the exercise of its absolute discretion, afford consideration to the following criteria:

• Financial need (80%), and
• Demonstrate commitment to supporting and working in rural and remote communities (20%).

Application Procedures

Applications must be submitted on the official application form no later than the date set by the Selection Committee for the year in which the award is to be made.

Applicants must submit with the official form, where appropriate:

• A copy of your JCU academic record
• Outline of your financial situation
• Proof of home original address has a regional rating of RA2-RA7 (ASGS Remoteness Areas (2021)).
• A written statement of no more than 500 words outlining:
  • commitment to supporting and working in rural and remote communities
  • clinical placement you have or will undertake
  • impact scholarship will have on your capacity to complete your clinical placement.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to make such enquires as to the applicant's good character and suitability to receive the scholarship, which includes authorisation for the Selection Committee to examine the applicant's academic record and seek opinions from relevant members of the academic staff of this University or any other academic institution.

Selection Process

The award of the scholarship shall be made in the absolute discretion of the Selection Committee, which shall comprise:

• Head, Nursing and Midwifery (Chair) or representative,
• Affinity Nursing/Healthcare Group Representative, and
• Other JCU representative nominated by the Chair.

The Selection Committee reserves the right:

Not to award a Scholarship in any year if, in the opinion of the Selection Committee, there is no candidate of sufficient merit to warrant an award.

The Selection Committee may require applicants to undertake an interview as part of their application.

The Selection Committee will determine all matters relating to the selection of the Scholarship awardee.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• Students are required to reapply in each scholarship round for consideration.
• The recipient is required to provide a student impact report at the end of the calendar year.
• A student may lodge a request for review of a decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Complaints Policy and Procedures.

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship shall be administered by the Scholarships Office of the University, on behalf of the Selection Committee.

The funds of the scholarship shall be held in an account in the name of the University and shall be administered by the scholarship office.

Where an award provides some benefit to the recipient from a body external to the University, or an obligation upon a body external to the University, the University, its servants, and agents, shall not be liable for that benefit or obligation.

Please refer to Glossary of Terms