National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program (93.288)
Program
93.288 National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program
Federal Agency
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Authorization
Public Health Service Act, Title III, Sections 338A and 338C-E, 338G.
Program Number
93.288
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To assure an adequate supply of primary care physicians, certified nurse midwives, certified family nurse practitioners, and physician assistants; and, if needed by the National Health Service Corps, an adequate supply of other health professionals in the Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) of the U.S.A. by providing service-obligated scholarships to health professions students.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Service-obligated scholarships for full-time students of allopathic (M.D.) and osteopathic (D.O.) medicine dentistry (3rd and 4th year), family nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery, and primary care physician assistants. Other health disciplines may be included after 2002 if needed by National Health Service Corps. Scholarship pays tuition and required fees for the year to the school, pays a monthly stipend to student ($1,065 for 12 months of the 2002-2003 school year) and a single annual payment to the student to cover the cost of all other reasonable educational expenses (books, supplies, equipment, uniforms, clinical travel, etc.) based on costs by school and class year. Awards are limited to U.S. citizens due to potential for Federal employment during service. Applicant must be enrolled in a U.S. accredited school. Each year of support incurs 1 year of service. A 2-year minimum service commitment is required. A maximum of 4 years of support may be awarded. Service is primarily a nonfederal salaried or contracted employee of a public or private non-profit entity, providing full-time primary health services. Services may also be in a fee for service private practice setting, or a Federal employee in Federal health systems such as the Indian Health Service, Immigration Health Service or Bureau of Prisons. Service sites are selected by the scholarship recipient from the list of high priority sites in HPSAs identified by the National Health Service Corps. Physicians receive their site list at the beginning of their last year of residency training; nurse practitioners, nurse midwives, and physicians assistants receive their site list within 6 months of their graduation. Service sites are limited to the United States, territories, and successor States to the Trust Territories, the Republic of Marshall Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Republic of Palau. Deferments of service are granted physicians to complete residencies in family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry, and OB/GYN.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
At the time of award, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national. At the time of award, the applicant must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in accredited school in U.S,in a course of study leading to a degree in medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, or other health profession. The applicant must submit application and signed contract to the Scholarship Programs Branch, Division of National Health Service Corps by the last Friday in March, agreeing to accept payment of scholarship and provide full-time primary health services in a Health Professional Shortage Area.
Beneficiary Eligibility
U.S. citizens or nationals enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a state in a course of study leading to a degree in medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry or other health profession.
Credentials/Documentation
Verification of specific program acceptance or enrollment at time of application. Proof of U.S. citizenship at time of application. Certificate from medical school of participation in Federal "Scholarship for Students of Exceptional Financial Need" giving priority for selection. Certificate of "Disadvantaged Background" (if claimed) from medical or nursing school financial aid officials if from low-income family or experienced inhibiting educational environment.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Students must be given a fair summary of the rights and liabilities of student applicants prior to application. This summary is included in the application packet. Applications are available directly from the program up to 2 weeks before the application deadline. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Application, a signed contract, and other information required (as listed in the application packet) are submitted to the administering Program Office.
Award Procedure
NHSC scholarship awards are very competitive; the Program anticipates more applicants for scholarship awards that there are funds available. The applications of individuals who meet the eligibility criteria are scored numerically. Where the application scores fall within the competitive range, the applicants will be invited to a personal interview. Applicants will be notified by mail of dates, times and locations of the interviews. Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria or whose scores do not fall within the competitive range will not be invited for an interview and will be notified of non-selection.
Deadlines
Deadline for receipt of applications for each new academic year is the last Friday in March.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Renewal applications are not necessary for students in compliance; contracts may be multi-year funded through graduation (1 to 4 years) from the respective fiscal year appropriation, if the applicant signs the contract through the graduation date.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Each award covers 1 to 4 years of support, as requested. No awardees may receive more than 4 years of support.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Annual reports by schools indicating average student educational expenses.
Audits
None.
Records
The files of unsuccessful applicants are retained for 6 months after the application deadline. The files of successful applicants are retained for 15 years following completion of obligated service (19 to 27 years: 2-year award + 2-year service + 15 years = 19 years; 4-year award + 4-year deferment + 4-year service + 15 years = 27).
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2001, there were 316 new awardees and 49 continuations. An increase is expected for fiscal years 2002 and 2003. In fiscal year 2003 we estimate issuing 522 new and 70 continuing scholarships.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0350-0-1-550.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 02 $34,222,557; FY 03 est $39,600,000; and FY 04 est $57,218,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Monthly stipend payment for the 2002/2003 school year is $1,065 plus tuition, fees and other reasonable costs.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
The most recent regulations, 42 CFR 62.1-14, were published on August 20, 1980. Information Bulletin published annually and Program Fact Sheets are available at no charge.
Related Programs
93.108, Health Education Assistance Loans; 93.162, National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program; 93.364, Nursing Student Loans; 93.972, Health Professions Scholarship Program.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Program Contact: Acting Chief, Scholarship Programs Branch, Division of National Health Service Corps., Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, 4350 East-West Highway, 10th Floor, Bethesda MD 20814. Public Information Phone: (301) 594-4410. For 24-hour toll-free calls from outside MD: 1-800-638-0824, use for requesting applications.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Scholarships covering tuition, monthly stipends and payments for other reasonable education expenses made to medical school students, dental students (3rd & 4th year), as well as for students of family nurse practitioner, nurse midwifery and physician assistant programs.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Priority will be given to students of allopathic and osteopathic medicine, who are former recipients of the Federal Scholarship Program for First-Year Students of Exceptional Financial Need (EFN). Second priority for consideration will be given to all students who have characteristics which increase the probability they will continue professional practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area when they complete their service obligation. (This includes a primary care specialty preference.) Third priority will be given to students who are from "disadvantaged backgrounds.
