Since we launched 'Grants for Good' program, we've had a number of questions about the program. So, this blog article provides you with answers to the most asked questions about our Grants. We recommend using it along with the following documents:

• HealthCarePlus Charitable Education Grants – Procedures and General Guidelines

• The Information pack for the Category of grant that you wish to apply for.

Depending on your situation, you may wish to contact us for further information or advice and you can do so by sending an email to grants@healthcareplus.org.nz 

1. What constitutes education, health and well-being for the purposes of this grant?

HealthCarePlus takes a broad view of education and will consider for funding any activity that contributes to the growth of knowledge, the development of resources or supports enhanced capability. In this context, we are keen to support study directly on health and well-being providing it has an educational dimension (in that the findings will be used to inform and educate others). For a (by no means exclusive) list of suggested potential topics refer to the Procedures and General Guidelines for the 2020 Grants Cycle.

2. Can I apply for these study grants if I am a full-time student?

Yes, but you will need to demonstrate you have clear plans to ensure your study will benefit others – refer to the questions under the “Outcomes” section.

3. How do I demonstrate hardship?

You will need to tell your story and, in particular explain why you are either not eligible for a student loan, or, if eligible, would have significant difficulty servicing student loan repayments. If your circumstances have changed since you embarked on your study, and you will have difficulty completing without support please explain (the Grants Committee may prioritise strong applications of this type).

You must provide an outline income / expenditure budget for your day-to day-living expenses and declare any other financial assets. You should support this by one or more relevant bank statements (or screen shots of your on-line statements). In addition, one of your referees should be in a position to attest to the accuracy of your statement in this section and, in particular, confirm you have no additional financial assets you can draw on to support your study.

4. How can I demonstrate the benefit of study to me in my future work? (Personal benefits)

Tell us in your answer to why you have chosen to undertake the Professional Development and tell us how you envisage using that qualification to progress your career once you have gained it and how you will know your work has improved as a result. In particular, talk about your existing successes in your current or past role, and how this study will expand your skill-set and allow you to build on that success. It maybe that you are demonstrably strong in some areas, but want to do better in others. If that is the case tell us about it. One of your referees should be in a position to confirm how successful study will support you in the future.

You will need to explain your context. If appropriate, you may wish to talk about what challenges you have and how you expect this might be improved through your Professional Development. Importantly, tell a realistic story about what you expect to change. Just gaining a new qualification will not automatically make things happen: we need to understand your plans for implementing the skills and knowledge you expect to gain.

Note: you should also be as clear as you can be about how you expect to demonstrate that benefit in the future. Be specific: for example, “once I understand more about ‘x’ educational theory, I will be able to do ‘y’ better and this will have outcomes ‘a’, ‘b’ and ‘c’ for ‘z’”. Or, “once I have completed ‘x’ course, my new skills ‘y’ and ‘z’ will enable me to provide enhanced service to the communities I serve in ways ‘a’, ‘b’, etc.”

These are deliberately challenging questions, but we need to be as sure as possible that we select the most worthy people to invest in through these hardship grants.

5. How do I respond to the question regarding benefits for colleagues and/or my wider community?

Here we are looking to assess the ‘multiplier effect’ we might gain from supporting you. Will your successful study have an impact on how your colleagues work: how do you intend to share your learnings? How might the communities you serve benefit directly or indirectly? How do you intend to and ensure that this happens?

Note that you may well feel that parts of your answer to the question regarding personal benefits may have covered this question: in some contexts this is almost inevitable. If that is the case, please cross reference clearly.

6. How can I get help in making this application?

We encourage you to apply at whatever level you plan to study, but make sure you make enough time to develop the application, have it reviewed and then revise it in the light of that review. The Grants Committee is looking for well thought-out applications; applications that are clearly last minute seldom get selected.

Firstly, read this supporting material and check you meet the eligibility criteria and then consider how well you have addressed the evaluation criteria.

The Union Owners of HealthCarePlus have agreed to provide support to their members making applications, so if you are a member of one of these unions, contact your union’s Head Office for guidance on how to access that support.

If you are not a member of one of these unions, then you need to find a friend or colleague with good critical skills who you can ask to provide an independent review of your application. Ideally, they should put themselves (as you should when writing) in the position of a member of the Grants Committee reviewing your application against the published criteria.

7. Who do I contact if I have queries or issues with my online application?

Firstly, read the supporting material and check you meet the eligibility criteria and consider how well you have addressed the evaluation criteria.

If you still have any queries please email grants@healthcareplus.org.nz. Depending on demand and your issue there may be some time delay in our response. Do not leave your queries until the last minute as late applications will not be accepted. Please note our listed telephone numbers are ONLY for insurance queries and not for grant related matters.

8.Can a family member apply, though they are not HealthCarePlus member?

The answer is yes. Our grants are open to anyone who is a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident to apply.