CPA allied health scholarship program

Cerebral Palsy Alliance is committed to providing high quality service for people with a disability and their families. An important component in this pursuit of excellence is the recruitment and retention of the best allied health staff.

Aims of the Program

Attract graduates of high caliber to work at Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Increase awareness and understanding of disability and cerebral palsy for allied health undergraduates
Form partnerships with tertiary teaching and research bodies

Description of the award

$1500 will be awarded to the successful applicant upon the successful completion of their placement.
Funds are to be used to support professional development, fees, textbooks, and practicum expenses.
The student is to complete one of their final year clinical practicum at Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Successful applicants will participate in an evaluation of the scholarship program and in any longitudinal study or recruitment of allied health professionals. As part of this they will be requested to provide their contact details for up to 2 years post-graduation.
At the completion of their placement, they will provide a 500-word report and feedback of their placement experience

Eligibility

Scholarships will be offered to students for their 4th year of undergraduate study or 2nd year of Master’s study, for clinical placement to be undertaken in the final year of study. Currently the scholarships are available in the disciplines of Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology with Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s partner Universities.

To be eligible student need to be:

Enrolled full time in their allied health discipline.
Australian citizen, New Zealand citizen or Australian resident
Available to undertake one of their final year fieldwork placements with Cerebral Palsy Alliance
Interested in the field of disability and paediatrics. A particular interest in cerebral palsy would also be desirable
Interested in pursuing a career in the field of disability
Strong academic and/or practical achievements in the paediatric components of their studies. Students must have satisfactory academic achievement and pass all practical units prior to their final practicum.

Scholarship offers for students completing their final practicums must be enrolled at one of the following universities:

Australian Catholic University
Canberra University
University of Newcastle
Charles Sturt University
Sydney University
Western Sydney University

How to apply

Check that your University is one of Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s partners in the scholarship program.
Discuss your interest with your faculty staff.
Submit an application to the person responsible for administering scholarships in your discipline at your University by the due date.

Applications should be in writing and demonstrate how the eligibility requirements have been met. This would normally consist of a letter of application including evidence of interest in paediatric and disability and evidence of achievement in your studies and practical experience. In total the application should not exceed four pages.