National Priority Scholarships (NPS)

From April 2010 new grants of the National Priority Scholarships (NPS) were replaced by a new payment called the Student Start-up Scholarship available through Centrelink.

For more details visit Centrelink or call 132 490.

Any student enrolled at Deakin and currently holding a NPS, will continue to have their payments administered by the Deakin Scholarships Office. Existing scholarship holders must continue to meet eligibility to continue to receive this scholarship.

National Priority Scholarships (NPS) were introduced to assist students undertaking study in national priority disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, teaching, nursing, allied health, mathematics, science and engineering. NPS may also be awarded for students undertaking post graduate study required for initial registration for the purposes of practicing in the relevant profession.

Eligibility

To maintain eligibility, you must be:

• an Australian citizen, or holder of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa
• undertaking an undergraduate course of study in a Commonwealth Supported Place
• enrolled full time unless there are exceptional circumstances preventing full time study
• in receipt of a Centrelink benefit or can demonstrate that they have a personal or family taxable income below the HECS repayment threshold depending on independence status
• not holding a bachelor degree or higher-level award unless such award is a prerequisite of their current undergraduate course of study

In addition to the above, students applying for the NPS must meet the following requirements;

• applicants must undertake study in National Priority Disciplines such as medicine, dentistry, teaching, nursing, allied health, mathematics, science and engineering.

Students are only eligible to receive a maximum of eight scholarship payments (i.e. twice yearly for up to four years).

Selection criteria

Academic merit based on WAM, ENTER or grade point average based on previous higher education studies will be considered in the allocation of NPS to eligible students.

Value

The NPS payment amount for 2011 is $2,290 per year.

This scholarship is payable in two instalments - Trimester 1 and Trimester 2. No payment occurs in Trimester 3 for this scholarship.

Duration

Up to four years subject to satisfactory performance and maintenance of eligibility.

Current holders of a NPS will be paid up to the end of their course, a maximum of 8 payments or Trimester 2 2012 (inclusive) whichever occurs first.

Number per year

No new NPS will be offered from 2010.

Special conditions

Scholarship holders may defer their scholarship entitlement for up to twelve months but on resumption of studies they must demonstrate they have maintained their eligibility for a Commonwealth Scholarship.

How to apply

No new NPS will be offered from 2010.