Applications for $12,000 scholarships for healthcare students across the NSW are now open to ease the hefty weight of degree and diploma debt and keep graduates in the state for at least five years.

The third year of the Tertiary Health Study Subsidies Program opened on 28 January to students studying medical, nursing, midwifery, dentistry, Aboriginal health and allied health degrees in NSW.

The subsidy gives up to 4000 NSW healthcare students $4000 per year for three years of study, or graduating students can receive $8000 on the spot. The scholarship is designed to help with fees, technology, travel, or other study-related costs, and is paid at the end of the year.

The only requirement for successful applicants is they must make a five-year commitment to working in the NSW public health system.

Minister for Health Ryan Park said the aim is to keep healthcare workers working in NSW.

“We know that not only do we need to recruit more health workers, we need to retain them, and our tertiary study subsidies bolster that effort."

Since commencing in January 2024, more than 7,900 students across NSW have received payments, including Coonamble's Charles Sturt University online student nurse Ruby Cush.

Her application for the scholarship was accepted in 2024.

Now in her final year of study, Ms Cush's degree's debt will weigh in at almost $19,000 once it is completed.

"I think this scholarship is a step in the right direction," she said.

"Potentially a smaller deposit start of every semester would be more beneficial to help support students to buy things required for that study period."

Ms Cush said the scholarship payments are "appreciated and helpful" but more could be done given nursing placements are especially hard for students, even with the scholarship.

"The placements are long, unpaid full-time work. There needs to be more financial support in this area."

NSW Health has already received over 830 applications for this year, with applications open until all funds are exhausted.

Find out more here.