Scholarship Info
If you’re in Medicine, Social Work, Psychology, Optometry or Health & Exercise Science and want a taste of rural life, there are a variety of schemes and scholarships for you! See the NSW Rural Doctors Network for a fantastic search engine. Don’t be put off by “doctor” in the title - every health related discipline is included! Check out the variety of disciplines too, if you are interested in a career change or further study.
Rural Australia Medial Undergraduate Scholarships (RAMUS)
Overview
RAMUS is a scholarship offered by the Australian government to medical students with a rural background and a demonstrated financial need. The National Rural Health Alliance administers the scholarship on behalf of the Department of Health and Ageing. It is valued at $10,000 per year for each year of your degree. You can also apply before entering medicine and acceptance is conditional upon enrolment. Nationally there are 550 RAMUS scholars and roughly 100 scholarships become available each year.
Eligibility
- Be enrolled or applying for an accepted medical program in Australia (UNSW is)
- Be an Australian citizen
- Have resided in rural area for 5 consecutive years or 8 cumulative years
- Member of the rural health club at your university
- Not hold any other scholarship, cadetship or bursary greater than $7,000 pa
Ranking applicants
Ranking is based on 3 criteria
- Longevity of Rural Experience – the principle home address will be used from the age of 5 to a maximum of 12 years. Attending a boarding school is not a disadvantage. Loading is given if you attended a rural primary school
- Financial need – based on your taxable income for the previous 2 year and an estimate of this year’s income RAMUS determines if you are independent or dependent. If dependent partners and parental income is assessed
- Commitment to Rural Practice - demonstrated through evidence of rural community involvement
Scholarship requirements/ ongoing eligibility
- Successful scholars must choose a medical mentor who they keep regular contact with
- Scholars must participate in their rural health club and other activities they organise with their mentor
- Scholars must provide yearly tax file returns or to the RAMUS team
- Scholars must complete an annual report
Opportunities with RAMUS
- As part of RAMUS students are eligible to apply for the RAMUS Conference Placement Program. This subsidies scholars to attend a series of listed conferences related to rural health or alternatively a suitable conference of your own choice.
- You will develop a strong relationship with your mentor and participate in a range of rural activities.
More information