Commonwealth Learning Scholarships Need Fixing, Australia

Main Category: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 15 Nov 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The Australian Medical Students' Association (AMSA) welcomed Labor's expansion of the Australian Commonwealth Scholarship program, but warned that there are a number of flaws in the program that must be fixed before rolling out additional scholarships.

AMSA National President Mr. Rob Mitchell said, "it is commendable that Labor has placed emphasis on higher education.

"But there are flaws in the Commonwealth Learning Scholarship program that are creating inequality and disadvantage for postgraduate and full-fee paying medical students. The eligibility criteria for these scholarships must be addressed before the CLS program is expanded."

AMSA, along with the Australian Law Students' Association, is calling on both parties to make modifications to the Scholarship scheme:

- The CLS program is only applicable for a maximum duration of four years. A number of higher education courses, including undergraduate medicine, are five to six years in length. Scholarships should be commensurate with the length of time of the chosen degree.

- Graduate-entry medical students (who represent about 50% of all student doctors) are presently ineligible for Commonwealth Learning Scholarships. CLS regulations must be changed to allow these students to apply for the program.

- With the removal of the cap on the number of Domestic Undergraduate Full-Fee places, and the Fee-HELP loan scheme only going partway to cover the exorbitant costs of a full-fee medical degree, more students are facing greater debt burden. Full-fee medical students should be eligible for Commonwealth Learning Scholarships.

"Commonwealth Learning Scholarships are an invaluable support for those who meet the eligibility criteria. Medical studies are a lengthy and demanding commitment for students. We must ensure the future medical workforce is well-supported during their training, and we can do this by making revisions to the well-regarded CLS program," said Mr. Mitchell.

Australian Medical Association

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