National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (93.162)
Program
93.162 National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program
Federal Agency
Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Health Resources and Services Administration
Authorization
Public Health Service Act, Section 338B, 42 U.S.C. 254l-1), as amended; Health Care Safety Net Amendments of 2002,, Title II, Public Law 107-251.
Program Number
93.162
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
The National Health Service Corp (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program’s objective is to increase the supply of primary care physicians, dentists, dental hygientist, behavioral and mental health professionals, certified nurse midwives, certified family nurse practitioners, and physician assistants and, if needed by the National Health Service Corps, other health professionals in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA) within the U.S.A and it’s territories by assisting the repayment of qualifying educational loans in return for service to populations located health professional shortage areas identified by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Types of Assistance
DIRECT PAYMENTS FOR A SPECIFIED USE
Uses and Use Restrictions
Awards provide payments of up to $35,000 a year towards participants' qualified government and commercial health professions undergraduate and graduate education loans during the first 2 years of practice at a selected National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Service Site under a written agreement with this program. For a 3rd and 4th subsequent year, payments of up to $35,000 a year may be made available under a written agreement, for a 5th subsequent year payments of up to $25,000 a year may be made available under a written agreement, for a 6th subsequent year payments of up to $20,000 a year may be available under a written agreement, and for a 7th subsequent year and beyond, payments of up to $15,000 may be available under a written agreement. Health professions given priority for selection are those identified by communities.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Individuals are eligible to apply if they have (1) U.S. citizenship; (2) a health professions degree or are in professional practice (they must hold an unrestricted health professions license from the State in which they will be working, and be eligible for selection for a Federal civil service appointment, or hold an appointment as a commissioned officer in the Regular or Reserve Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service); (3) not defaulted on any Federal debt or do not have a court judgment against them; and (4) no existing service obligation.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Primary care, oral health, and mental and behavioral health professions are eligible for the Loan Repayment Program (LRP). Specific specialties within these professions are selected for LRP awards based on community demand for health services.
Credentials/Documentation
Applicants should review the individual HRSA Guidance documents issued under this CFDA program for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Preapplication coordination is required. 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. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. HRSA requires all applicants to apply electronically through Grants.gov.
All qualified applications will be forwarded to an objective review committee. Based on the advice of the objective review committee, the HRSA program official with delegated authority is responsible for final selection and funding decisions
Award Procedure
NHSC loan repayment awards are made based on the highest need as determined by descending health professional shortage area scores. Priority will be given to individuals whose training is in a health discipline or specialty determined by the Secretary for Health and Human Services to be needed by the NHSC and who the Secretary determines are committed to service in health professional shortage areas.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 120 Days.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Contract amendments will be considered according to the availability of appropriated funds and eligibility criteria applied to the individual and the site at which that individual is employed.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
Matching requirements are not applicable to this program.
MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Loan repayments for 1 year of obligated service will be made no later than the end of the fiscal year in which the individual completes such year of service. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Direct Payments to recipients account through the PSC.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Audits
Not Applicable.
Records
Not applicable.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: FY 08 1,535 were made. Fiscal Year 2009: In FY 09, approximately 1,600 awards are expected to be made. Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0350-0-1-550.
Obligations
(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 08 $59,647,676; FY 09 est $72,878,669; FY 10 est $110,329,200
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
New awards range from $5,000 to $50,000, with an average award being $45,761.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Not Applicable.
Related Programs
93.288 National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program; 93.303 Nursing Scholarship Program; 93.342 Health Professions Student Loans, Including Primary Care Loans/Loans for Disadvantaged Students; 93.364 Nursing Student Loans; 93.908 Nursing Education Loan Repayment Program
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
See Regional Agency Offices. Chief, National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Branch, Division of Applications and Awards, Bureau of Clinician Recruitment and Service, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 8-37, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 594-4400. Public Information Phone: (1-800) 221-9393.
Headquarters Office
Division of Applications and Awards, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 8-37, Rockville, Maryland 20857 Phone: (301) 594-4400
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2008: During FY 08, the program awarded a total of 1,535 contracts to eligible clinicians with health professions degrees or licenses. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Priority will be given to applicants who are individuals whose training is in a health or specialty profession determined by the Secretary to be needed by NHSC.
