Nursing Student Loans (93.364)

Program

93.364 Nursing Student Loans

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Health Resources and Services Administration

Authorization

Public Health Service Act, Title VIII, Section 835-842, 42 U.S.C. 297a-i, as amended; Health Professions Education Partnership Act of 1998, Public Law 105-392.

Program Number

93.364

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

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 nursing program.

Types of Assistance

DIRECT LOANS

Uses and Use Restrictions

The maximum amount a student may borrow is $2,500 for an academic year for each of the first two years, $4,000 for each of the final 2 years, or the amount of the student's financial need, whichever is less. The total is limited to $13,000 maximum. Loans to full and half-time nursing students who are citizens, nationals, lawful permanent residents of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico, the Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Funds are made to schools of nursing to capitalize loan. The maximum amount a student may borrow is $2,500 for an academic year for each of the first two years, $4,000 for each of the final 2 years, or the amount of the student's financial need, whichever is less. The total is limited to $13,000 maximum.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

All accredited public and nonprofit private schools of nursing that prepare students for practice as registered or graduate nurses, and that do not discriminate against students because of race, color, origin, sex, or handicapping conditions, are eligible to apply for funds to be disbursed to qualified nursing students.

Beneficiary Eligibility

The Nursing Student Loan Program provides financial assistance to nursing students who are citizens, nationals or lawful permanent residents of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated State of Micronesia.

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. OMB Circular No. A-110 applies to this program. 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

The Notice of Award is sent to the School's Contact Person notifying the school of the amount of Federal funds allocated for loans prior to the beginning of the academic year in which the award is to be utilized. Student is notified by student aid office of approval or disapproval at times determined by schools.

Deadlines

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

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Approximately 6 months.

Appeals

Not Applicable.

Renewals

Applications are required for new schools.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

This program has no statutory formula.

Matching Requirements: Percent: 90.%. Schools participating in loan programs must match the Federal contribution with an amount not less than one-ninth of the Federal allotment.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this program.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Length and time of assistance depends upon the time required by the student to complete the necessary course of study leading to a degree and is subject to availability of funds. See the following for information on how assistance is awarded/released: Grantees drawdown funds, as necessary, from the Payment Management System (PMS). PMS is the centralized web based payment system for HHS awards.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Annual Operating Report (AOR) through electronic submission at http://www.bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa. AOR must be submitted 45 days after the end of each budget period. No cash reports are required. No progress reports are required. No expenditure reports are required. No performance monitoring is required.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133.

Records

Grantees are required to maintain grant accounting records for 3 years after the date they submit the FSR. 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.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: Awards were made to 98 nursing schools in FY 08. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-0350-0-1-550.

Obligations

(Direct Loans) FY 08 $1,590,827; FY 09 est $1,236,418; FY 10 est $2,000,000

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$1,000 to $106,051 (FY 2008 Actual).

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

This program is subject to the provisions of 45 CFR Part 92 for State, local and tribal governments and 45 CFR Part 74 for institutions of higher education, hospitals, other nonprofit organizations and commercial organizations, as applicable.

Related Programs

84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program_Federal Capital Contributions; 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Christine Brazell, Division of Student Loans and Scholarships, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Parklawn Building, Room 9-95, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-0992. Use same number for FTS.

Headquarters Office

Christine Brazell 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 9-95, Rockville, Maryland 20857 Phone: (301) 443-0992

Web Site Address

www.hrsa.gov.

Examples of Funded Projects

Fiscal Year 2008: (1) Long-term, low-interest loans made to nursing students; and (2) funds provided to schools of nursing to capitalize loan funds. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Applications will be reviewed for completeness and accuracy, and to determine if applicant schools meet minimum program requirements.