Queensland Health Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Scholarship Program

Introduction

Queensland Health Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Scholarship Program

In July 2023 The Honourable Shannon Fentiman, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women, announced State Government support to help grow the health workforce in the Torres Strait. The comprehensive support package included funding for tertiary scholarships to support First Nations peoples residing in the Torres and Cape Hospital & Health network. The scholarships are designed to facilitate the pursuit of health-related studies at JCU.  Minister Fentiman emphasized that the investment was aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility for Torres Strait residents and fostering employment opportunities within the region.

This investment is all about helping deliver better health services closer to home for people living in the Torres Strait, and more job opportunities for people who call this region home. Queensland Health understands the critical role that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander healthcare professionals have in directly improving health outcomes for First Nations people and in order to deliver this care there needs to be more First Nations doctors, specialists, nurses, carers and allied health professionals.

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

Value and Payment of the Scholarship

If you are a successful applicant of this scholarship  you will receive between $5,000 and $30,000 per year for the duration of your degree. The award value will be determined by the selection committee.

Payments are made in two equal instalments after census dates of study period one and study period two each year of award (please allow up to 6 weeks after census date for payment).

Eligibility Criteria

The Queensland Health Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Scholarship Program is open for you to apply if you:

• Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander in descent; and
• Your home address is within the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health region (see map); and
• Are enrolled, or intending to enrol, in one of the undergraduate health-related degree listed below:
  • Bachelor of Dental Surgery
  • Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science [Pre-Registration]
  • Bachelor of Nursing Science - Bachelor of Midwifery
  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy (Hons)
  • Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons)
  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy
  • Bachelor of Psychological Science
  • Bachelor of Social Work
  • Bachelor of Speech Pathology (Hons)
  • Bachelor of Sport & Exercise Science
• Are, or will be, enrolled full-time (min 18 credit points per year) as an internal student on campus at JCU; and
• Need financial assistance to undertake your studies; and
• Are an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident.

Selection Criteria

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

• Financial need (60% weighting).  Based on a variety of factors including the following:
  • Financial situation (supported by self/by family/by partner)
  • In receipt of other scholarships or funding (including AbStudy)
  • Living with a disability
  • Dependants / carer responsibilities
• Academic merit (20% weighting)
• Commitment to community (20% weighting). Demonstrated by:
  • Volunteer work
  • Community engagement
  • Sporting activities
  • Cultural activities etc

Application Procedures

Applicants wanting to apply for this scholarship must attach the following documents to their application form.

• Academic records from high school or other education institutions;
• A written application of 400 words addressing:
  • Your background and reason for choosing your degree;
  • Your commitment to the Torres Strait and Cape communities;
  • The community health needs within your home region;
  • Any other funding you are receiving i.e., scholarships, government support etc.
• Proof of home address in Torres and Cape Hospital and Health region (see map).
• A copy of your resume.
• Financial hardship documentation
  • documented evidence of financial hardship based on your answers in the application questions.

Applications submitted without the relevant documentation will not be considered.

The applicant authorises the Selection Committee to verify any information provided by the applicant.

Selection Process

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

• Deputy Vice Chancellor, Indigenous, or representative (Chair),
• Indigenous Education and Research Centre representative; and
• Chief first Nations Health Officer, First Nations Health Office, Queensland Health; and
• Chief Executive, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Or Executive Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service.

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

Ongoing eligibility

To continue to receive payments, the ongoing eligibility must be met:

• The recipient must maintain a satisfactory academic progression.
• The recipient must remain enrolled full-time (minimum 18 credit points per year) in an eligible degree.
• The recipient must continue to maintain connection with community in Torres and Cape region demonstrated by maintaining a home address in the area, return visits home throughout the year, participation in events, placement or other activities with the community, or participation with Torres and Cape community organisations in Townsville and/or Cairns.
• The recipient must connect and engage with Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service mentors throughout degree duration.
• The recipient must submit an annual activity report that discusses their:
  • Connection and engagement with community in the Torres and Caper HHS region.
  • Connection and engagement with Torres and Cape HHS mentors.

Conditions of the Scholarship

• The recipient may defer their study for up to one academic year (2 semesters / 3 trimesters).
• The recipient may take an official LOA for up to one academic year (2 semesters / 3 trimesters)
• If a recipient/student does not meet the on-going eligibility requirements the recipient/student will be asked to provide a statement of reasons if they wish to continue receiving Scholarship funding. The statement provides the recipient/student with the opportunity to address any significant issues or challenges that has led to their current situation and allows the Funding Recipient to provide assistance to help them meet their study goals. There are three main courses of action the Scholarship Office can consider, in consultation with the selection committee, after receiving a statement of reasons:
  • decide to continue funding the Scholarship recipient/student for another semester to allow them the greatest opportunity for success. This may be on the proviso that they satisfy on-going eligibility requirements within a given timeframe; or
  • with-hold Scholarship funding until the recipient/student satisfies on-going eligibility criteria; or
  • terminate the Scholarship and funding.

A student may lodge a request for review of decision in accordance with the provisions of the Student Complaints Policy and Procedures.

Administration of the Scholarship

The scholarship shall be administered by 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