Working with The Doctors' Health Fund to offer bursaries to medical students.

The Doctors' Health Fund & AMSA Medical Student Bursary Scheme

This bursary scheme is offered to medical students in Australian universities. Bursaries are available to assist students with the costs of -

• Texts and medical equipment, for which bursaries are issued in amounts up to $500.
• Professional development, including attendance, equipment and other expenses for activities such as attendance at seminars and conferences, work experience and other activities the applicant can demonstrate will contribute to their skills, knowledge or career development. Bursaries of up to $1,000 are issued for professional development activities.

Applications are considered on the following basis -
  • financial need
  • academic performance
  • how the applicant's medical education, professional development and career goals will be assisted by the bursary.
Please read the information about the application before completing the form below. Applications which do not follow the instructions will be rejected by the processing system.

2008 application closing dates -
• 31 March
• 31 May
• 15 September


Any enquiries about The Doctors’ Health Fund & AMSA Student Bursary Scheme should be directed to bursaries(at)doctorshealthfund.com.au or 1800 226 126. Please note that The Doctors' Health Fund provides support to  Australian medical students through this bursary scheme, any request for individual financial support will be directed to this application process.

Your Application

Bursary applications must be submitted on the form on this page. The committee will only consider information provided by the applicant in this form which meets the requirements set out below, and any statements submitted by others which specifically support your application and the reasons for your application. General references are not considered by the committee.

How to make your application relevant

  • You must include the Year you are in with the University, faculty and course information.
  • The bursary committee will consider an applicant’s medical school academic performance. Pass grades are a minimum to qualify and when necessary results will be considered to differentiate between applicants. Provide the number of years you have been enrolled and if already completed at least your last two years results. A general statement may be made about results in prior years. The committee may request copies of your results in any year.
  • First & second year students are advised to provide information about prior academic performance. All applicants should include information about prior academic performance where it can concisely support their application.
  • All applicants should include information about their extra curricular activities where it can relevantly and concisely support their application.
  • 'Your reasons for applying' should not repeat information provided in any other part of this application. However, this is the most influential part of the application. It is an opportunity to provide any information that you feel will assist the committee to understand why you are applying, how you will use the bursary and how it will contribute to your success as a medical student or in your professional future.
  • You may wish to provide supporting statements for your application from third parties such as academic staff, employers or others. Please note only supporting statements specific to your application will be considered. General references are not considered by the committee. Supporting statements should be submitted by the person providing the statement either by -- Email to bursaries(a)doctorshealthfund.com.au, or Fax  to 02 9437 9326, marking it to the attention of the Marketing Manager 
How to complete the financial information categories on the form

Financial information is to be provided in the sections on
  • Total expenses
  • Total income
  • Total assets
  • Total liabilities

Each category starts with a total and is followed by sub-category totals which make up the category total you have entered. Below is information about what you need to include in each sub-category.

  • The amounts to be entered in the financial section of the application must be either amounts for a 12 month period, or a single amount or value of the item today.
  • Do not put $ signs, any mathematical sign or text notes in the financial fields, only enter numbers in the format - 1000.
  • For any item not relevant to you enter a zero - '0'.
  • Check that your sub-category totals and category totals add up correctly
             TOTAL EXPENSES
1. Living expenses – rent, board, mortgage, residential college fees, utility bills, food, transport fares, petrol, parking, dependents expenses, spending money, etc
2. Course related expenses – course fees which must be paid this year, union fees, texts and other course materials, etc
3. Other costs – car expenses including registration and insurance, medical costs, etc
4. Outstanding Debts - total amounts repayable for the year, credit card payments, loan payments, etc

TOTAL INCOME
1. Known employment income – secure hours of paid work
2. Estimated employment income - do not include known income in this amount, it is an estimate of casual work, holiday work etc which you expect to do
3. Partner’s income – any form of income received
4. Centrelink, scholarships – income either payments or lump sums from other sources, other bursaries, grants etc
5. Parental assistance – allowances, one off payments, payment of fees or expenses
6. Savings at date of application

TOTAL INCOME – TOTAL EXPENSES = subtract your total expenses from your total income

TOTAL ASSETS
1. Property – value at present whether owned or mortgaged
2. Vehicles – estimated sale value today
3. Investments – all non savings account investments
4. Other

TOTAL LIABILITIES – enter the total and current balances owed for each of the following
1. Outstanding mortgage
2. Loans
3. Total credit card debt
4. Other debts