Health Professions Scholarship Program (93.972)

Program

93.972 Health Professions Scholarship Program

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Indian Health Service

Authorization

Indian Health Care Amendments of 1988, Section 104.

Program Number

93.972

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide scholarships to American Indians and Alaska Natives at health professions schools in order to obtain health professionals to serve Indians. Upon completion, scholarship recipients are obligated to serve in the Indian Health Service or an Indian health organization for each year of support with a minimum of 2 years.

Types of Assistance

Training

Uses and Use Restrictions

Scholarships support students who pursue full-time or part-time courses of study in health professions needed by the Indian Health Service (IHS). Disciplines have included allopathic and osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing (baccalaureate and graduate), public health nutrition (graduate), medical social work (graduate), speech pathology/audiology (graduate), optometry, pharmacology and health care administration. Not all disciplines participate each year. Scholarships may not be awarded to students who have conflicting service obligations after graduation or who are not enrolled members of Federally-recognized tribes. Recipients are required to perform 1 year of obligated service for each year of scholarship support, with a minimum obligation of 2 years in the Indian Health Service, or in a program conducted under a contract entered into under the Indian Self-Determination Act; or in an Indian health organization assisted under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act; or in private practice in a Health Manpower Shortage Area which addresses the health care needs of a substantial number of Indians. Deferment for internship, residency, or other advanced clinical training for medical, osteopathy, and dental students is generally not to exceed 3 years, consistent with the specialty needs of the IHS. Currently, 4-year deferments may be granted for obstetrics- gynecology and psychiatry residencies.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Individuals of American Indian or Alaska Native who are enrolled members of a Federally-recognized tribe are eligible. Applicants for new awards: (1) must be accepted by an accredited U.S. educational institution for a full-time or part-time course of study leading to a degree in medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, or other participating health profession which is deemed necessary by the Indian Health Service; (2) be eligible for or hold an appointment as a Commissioned Officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service; or (3) be eligible for civil service in the Indian Health Service.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Individuals of American Indian or Alaska Native who are enrolled members of Federally-recognized tribe; full-time students of medicine or other health professions; prospective or currently Commissioned Officers in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service; and eligible civilians of the Indian Health Service.

Credentials/Documentation

Students claiming Indian priority must submit proper certification and documentation as specified in the application. All applicants must provide transcripts of their latest academic work. All incoming freshmen are to provide copies of acceptance letters for enrollment in school. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. Application forms and instructions are provided by the Indian Health Service Scholarship Program, acting through the IHS Area offices.

Award Procedure

Priority will be given to applicants who are prior recipients. Special consideration is given to junior and senior level students whose specialty plans are in primary care fields. Criteria which determine competitive ranking fawards may include: (1) work experience, preferably health-related in communities of health care need; (2) personal background from a community of health care need; (3) career goals of primary care practice in service to Indians; and, (4) academic performance. Student financial need does not affect selection.

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 60 to 90 days.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Continuation applications must be submitted annually. Continued funding subject to availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory formulas are not applicable to this program.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Maximum length of funding is a total of 4 years. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Tuition payments and fees are paid upon receipt of invoices from the universities. Stipend payments are paid monthly for the 12-month academic period. An amount for books and other necessary expenses is provided to the student.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

No program reports are required. Annual reports are required from schools indicating average student educational expense. Students are required to submit their official transcripts as they are received. In addition, recipients must submit initial and mid-term progress reports on forms supplied by IHS. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

Not Applicable.

Records

The Indian Health Service Scholarship Program, maintains records for 7 years following completion of obligated service or other disposition of the scholarship obligation.

Program Accomplishments

Not Applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0390-0-1-551.

Obligations

(Salaries) FY 08 not reported.; FY 09 est not reported.; FY 10 est not reported. - (Grants) FY 08 $9,603,857; FY 09 $9,603,857; and FY 10 $9,603,857.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$24,128 to $38,222; $24,694.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Not Applicable.

Related Programs

93.288 National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Program Contact: Ms. Pat Lee-McCoy, IHS Scholarship Program, Division of Health Professions Support, Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 120, Rockville, MD 20852. Telephone: (301) 443-6197. Grants Management Contact: Ms. Kimberly Pendleton, Senior Grants Management Officer, Division of Grants Management Operations, Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP, Suite 360, Rockville, MD 20852. Telephone: (301) 443-5204. Use the same numbers for FTS. See Appendix IV of the Catalog for Indian Health Service Area Program Offices.

Headquarters Office

IHS Grants Policy Staff 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Suite 625, Rockville, Maryland 20852 Phone: 301-443-6290

Web Site Address

http://www.ihs.gov .

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

(1) Academic performance; (2) faculty recommendations; (3) stated reasons for asking for the scholarship; (4) goals of the individual; and (5) the relative needs of the IHS and Indian health organizations for persons in specific health professions.