Ida West Aboriginal Health Scholarship

To pay tribute to the life and work of Aunty Ida, the Department of Health and Human Services administers an annual Scholarship in her name. The Ida West Aboriginal Health Scholarship provides financial assistance to Aboriginal students completing a formal qualification at university or vocational education (such as TAFE) in a health and or human services related field.

Areas of study:

• Dentistry
• Health services and support
• Medicine
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Psychology
• Rehabilitation

At Institution: TAS Universities Study level: Undergraduate Study Load: Full Time Location: TAS

The scholarship is only open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. Scholarships will be awarded up to a maximum of $5,000 each year, to a maximum value of $15,000 for each scholarship.

How to apply

• Applicants must complete the Scholarship Application Form.
• The application must be received by the advertised closing date.
• Applicants who have not previously been assessed to determine eligibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and services by the Tasmanian Government are also required to submit an Eligibility Form.

How do I know if I’m eligible? The Ida West Aboriginal Health Scholarship is open to people eligible for Tasmanian Government Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and services.

The Tasmanian Government uses a three-part test to determine Eligibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs and services. This requires a person to:

• have Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander ancestry, and
• self-identify as an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander, and
• be recognised as an Aboriginal person and/or Torres Strait Islander by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community in which they live or have lived.

Applicants who have not previously been assessed are required to submit an Eligibility Form. Further assistance is available from the Office of Aboriginal Affairs (03) 6232 7569 or OAA@dpac.tas.gov.au

If I have been assessed as eligible in the past, do I have to apply again? No, if you have been found eligible under the previous Tasmanian Government Policy on Eligibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific programs and services you don't need to complete the eligibility form again.

Residency Scholarship applicants must be: . current residents of Tasmania, or . intending to move to Tasmania to study.

Place of study Priority will be given to applicants: . intending to study in Tasmania, or . interstate if the qualification is not available in Tasmania.

Tasmanian residents enrolling in qualifications interstate which are available in Tasmania will be eligible, but not given priority.

Working while studying

• Applicants cannot work 34 hours or more per week while studying (including casual employment).
• Students who are being supported under the Australian Apprenticeship scheme are not eligible.
• Students whose study is being fully financially supported by an employer are not eligible.

Eligible courses The scholarship is available to Tasmanian Aboriginal students enrolled or intending to enrol in a full-time health or human services related entry level or graduate entry level course.

• courses must be provided by an Australian registered training organisation or university
• funding is not available for postgraduate study (including honours), except for graduate entry level master’s degrees. See the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.