Health Professions Student Loans, Including Primary Care Loans and Loans for Disadvantaged Students

 

To increase educational opportunities by providing long-term, low-interest loans to students in need of financial assistance and in pursuit of a course of study in an approved health discipline.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
93.342
Federal Agency/Office
Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2020 Increase in loans for all programs due to a reduction in unused funds being held in revolving loan accounts at institutions.
Fiscal Year 2021 In FY 2021, the Health Careers Loans and Scholarship allocated $60,448,000 to 110 eligible schools. Two program-specific webinars were conducted with all grantees which focused on the marketing of the student loan programs, and program-specific guidance. This resulted in a 15 percent increase in loans to students. Individual awards ranged from $12,000 to $19,000. The HPSL and LDS programs increased by four new recipients.
Fiscal Year 2022 In FY 2022, the Health Careers Loans and Scholarship allocated $20,988,000 to 34 eligible schools. One program-specific webinar was conducted with all grantees, which focused on marketing the student loan programs and program-specific guidance. This resulted in a 15 percent increase in loans to students. Individual awards ranged from $1,000 to $3,000,000. The HPSL and LDS programs increased by three new recipients.
Authorization
Public Health Service Act, Title VII, Part C, Section 721-735, 42 U.S.C. 292q-292y; Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998, Public Law 105-392; Section 5201(a)(1)(B) of the Affordable Care Act; Section 5201(b) of the Affordable Care Act.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
Any accredited public or other nonprofit private school of medicine, dentistry, osteopathic medicine, optometry, podiatry, pharmacy, or veterinary medicine which provides a course of study leading to a degree of Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine for PCL and LDS borrowers, Doctor of Dentistry (or an equivalent degree), Doctor of Optometry (or an equivalent degree), Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (or an equivalent degree), Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy (or an equivalent degree), Doctor of Pharmacy (or an equivalent degree), or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (or an equivalent degree) for HPSL and LDS borrowers. Additionally, the school must be located in the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia. Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Government and Native American Organizations may apply if they are otherwise eligible.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Student applicants must display financial need and be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a health professions school to pursue a full-time course of study leading to a degree as specified above. Students must also be citizens, nationals or lawful permanent residents of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia.
Credentials/Documentation
Annual operating reports serve as the renewal application for current loan recipient institutions.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is not applicable.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Students should apply at the financial aid office of the school of their choice for assistance in applying for a loan. The school then tabulates requests for financial aid and awards loans based on the needs of students and available funds. Schools can obtain new applications for this program from the Division of Health Careers and Financial Support by calling by calling 1-877-464-4772 . Annual operating reports serve as the renewal application for current loan recipient institutions.
Award Procedure
Notification is made in writing (electronic) by a Notice of Award. When Federal Capital Contribution funds are available for re-distribution, a Notice of Award is sent to the School's Contact Person notifying the school of the amount of federal funds allocated for loans within the program and discipline prior to the beginning of the academic year in which the award is to be utilized. Students are notified by the school's financial aid office of approval or disapproval of loans at times determined by schools.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
From 120 to 180 days. Approximately 120 - 180 days after receipt of applications.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Applications are only required for new schools. Annual Operating Reports are required for renewals.
How are proposals selected?
Applications will be reviewed for completeness, eligibility, and accuracy, and to determine if applicant schools meet minimum program requirements.
How may assistance be used?
Funds on deposit can only be used for loans to eligible students pursuing a full-time course of study. The maximum amount a student may borrow is the cost of attendance (including tuition, other reasonable educational expenses and reasonable living expenses). Third and fourth year medical and osteopathic medicine students may be eligible for additional funding to repay earlier higher-interest educational loans. The interest rate is five percent. To be eligible for a Primary Care Loan (PCL), students of allopathic medicine and osteopathic medicine must meet financial need criteria and agree to enter and complete a residency training program in primary health care not later than four years after the date on which the student graduates from such school. The PCL borrower must also practice primary health care for 10 years (including the years spent in residency training) or through the date in which the loan is repaid in full, whichever occurs first. To be eligible for the Loans for Disadvantaged Students (LDS) program, students must meet the Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL) criteria and also be from a disadvantaged background as defined by the Secretary. A school must be carrying out a program for recruiting and retaining students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including racial and ethnic minorities and carrying out a program for recruiting and retaining minority faculty to be eligible for LDS funds. In addition, the school must agree to ensure that adequate instruction regarding minority health issues is in the curricula of the school. Health clinics must provide services to a significant number of individuals who are from disadvantaged backgrounds, including members of minority groups and enter into arrangements with one or more such clinics for the purpose of providing students of the school with experience in clinical services to such individuals. Secondary educational institutions and undergraduate institutions of higher education must enter into arrangements with one or more such institutions for the purpose of carrying out programs regarding the educational preparation of disadvantaged students, including minority students, to enter the health professions and recruit such individuals into the health professions. These institutions should also establish a mentor program for assisting disadvantaged students, including minority students, toward completion of the educational requirements for degrees from the school.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Not applicable.
Auditing
Not applicable.
Records
Financial records must be kept until such time as agreed upon with the Secretary as specified in 42 CFR 57.215. Recipients are required to maintain grant accounting records 3 years after the date they submit Annual Operating Report (AOR). If any litigation, claim, negotiation, audit or other action involving the award has been started before the expiration of the 3-year period, the records shall be retained until completion of the action and resolution of all issues which arise from it, or until the end of the regular 3 year period, whichever is later.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. 11% Matching Requirement. Under the Federal Capital Contribution method, a school must match the Federal Capital Contribution with an amount equal to one-ninth of the funds drawn down.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
The time required by a student to complete the necessary course of study leads to a degree and is subject to the availability of funds. Recipient institutions drawdown funds, as necessary, from the Payment Management System (PMS), the centralized web based payment system for HHS awards.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Jim Essel (PCL), Devonaline Horne (LDS), or Hai Le (HPSL), Division of Health Careers and Financial Support, Bureau of Health Workforce, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services
5600 Fishers Lane, Room 15N58
Rockville, MD 20857 US
jim.essel@hrsa.hhs.gov
Phone: 18774644772
Website Address
https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0350-0-1-550
Obligations
(Project Grants (to capitalize loan funds)) FY 22$0.00; FY 23 est $3,000,000.00; FY 24 FY 21$29,110,000.00; FY 20$4,500,000.00; FY 19$5,551,875.00; FY 18$20,599,308.00; FY 17$20,599,308.00; FY 16$9,773,066.00; - PCL Project Grants (to capitalize loan funds)(Project Grants (to capitalize loan funds)) FY 22$10,839,000.00; FY 23 est $15,000,000.00; FY 24 FY 21$10,506,000.00; FY 20$8,200,000.00; FY 19$9,854,161.00; FY 18$406,845.00; FY 17$406,845.00; FY 16$6,740,331.00; - HPSL Project Grants (to capitalize loan funds)(Project Grants (to capitalize loan funds)) FY 22$10,148,000.00; FY 23 est $21,700,000.00; FY 24 est $20,000,000.00; FY 21$20,831,000.00; FY 20$5,500,000.00; FY 19$6,550,703.00; FY 18$3,400,395.00; FY 17$3,400,395.00; FY 16$966,224.00; - LDS Project Grants (to capitalize loan funds)
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
PCL FY22 Range: NA (No awards issued) FY23 Range: $10,000 - $1,000,000; Average per institution $500,000 F24 est. Range: $170,000-$570,000; Average per institution $280,000 HPSL FY22 Range $9,000 - $3,100,000; Average per institution $340,000 FY23 est. Range: $10,000 - $2,000,000; Average per institution $350,000 FY 24 est. Range: $10,500 - $2,000,000; Average per institution $400,000 LDS FY22 Range $3,500 - $2,500,000; Average per institution $554,000 FY 23 est. Range: $10,500 - $2,000,000; Average per institution $700,000 FY 24 est. Range: $10,500 - $2,000,000; Average per institution $700,000
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
All administrative and audit requirements and the cost principles that govern Federal monies associated with this activity will be subject to the Uniform Guidance 2 CFR 200 as codified by HHS at 45 CFR 75. HRSA awards are also subject to the requirements of the HHS Grants Policy Statement (HHS GPS) that are applicable based on recipient type and purpose of award. The HHS GPS is available at http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/hhsgrantspolicy.pdf.
Examples of Funded Projects
Not applicable.

 



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