National Mental Health Support Workers Training Grant
Mental health and addiction support workers can apply for the Mental Health Support Workers Training Grant to assist them with payment of their study fees.
The Grant
The Mental Health Support Workers Training Grant assists students with their tuition fees for the National Certificate in Mental Health (Level 4), the National Certificate in Mental Health and Addiction Support (Level 4), and/or the National Diploma in Mental Health (Level 6). The maximum funding available to someone studying the national certificate is $2,000, and the maximum amount available to someone studying the national diploma is $2,500 per year. A new grant application is required each year, and is subject to available funding.
The Grant is funded by the Ministry of Health and administered by Careerforce.
Criteria
To qualify for the grant you must:
- Be enrolled by an NZQA accredited Tertiary Education Organisation in the National Certificate in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work) (Level 4) , the National Certificate in Mental Health and Addiction Support (Level 4 or the National Diploma in Mental Health (Mental Health Support Work (Level 6) V1.
- Be employed (paid or volunteer) or on placement for a minimum of 20 hours per week in a mental health service funded by the District Health Board Ministry of Health for the duration of the training programme.
- Be in a role that is relevant to mental health support work.
- Have an employer who is supportive of your application for a Training Grant.
- Not have your tuition fees paid by other benefits or other scholarships (excluding student loans). NB Where employers have funded training, employees are able to apply for the Grant (if other criteria are met) and nominate that their employer receives the Grant in reimbursement.
- Attach proof of payment of fees from the Tertiary Education Organisation to your Training Grant application form.
- Be a New Zealand citizen or New Zealand permanent resident and provide photocopied evidence.
Students who are working / volunteering or on placement in a disability setting (minimum of 20 hours per week for duration of the training programme), funded by the MOH may be eligible for the grant and this will be assessed on a case by case basis.
Applications should be received within 4 weeks of commencement date. Late applications may be declined subject to available funds.
Grant Application Form
Click to download the 2012 applicatiion form. Please note: old grant application forms are no longer valid.
Completed application forms should be faxed or posted to:
Careerforce (Community Support Services ITO Ltd)
P O Box 25 255
Christchurch 8144
T: 0800 937 877
F: 03 371 9285
If you require any further information please do not hesitate to make contact on 0800 937 877 or mentalhealth@careerforce.org.nz
Mental Health Support Work Grant Payments
Training Grant payments will be made on the last Friday of the month following approval of the training grant application.
Dates for 2012 are as follows:
24th Feb
30th March
27th April
25th May
29th June
27th July
31st August
28th September
26th October
30th November
14th December
Students are eligible to receive payment in the following way:
National Certificate in Mental Health Support Work (Level 4)
- Students are eligible for a grant of up to a maximum of $2000
- This is paid in two instalments of up to $1000. The first after confirmation the student has been regularly attending class for three weeks, and the second on confirmation of completion of the qualification by NZQA.
National Diploma in Mental Health Support Work (Level 6)
- Students are eligible for a grant of up to a maximum of up to $2500 per year of the Diploma and is subject to available funds.
- This is paid in two instalments. The first after confirmation the student has been regularly attending class for three weeks, and the second on confirmation of completion of year one requirements from the tutor or Head of Department
- Year two: a new application form is required and is subject to available funds.
