Scholarships for Health Professions Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds (93.925)
Program
93.925 Scholarships for Health Professions Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds
Federal Agency
HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Authorization
Public Health Service Act, Title VII, Section 737, 42 U.S.C. 293a; Health Professions Education Partnership Act of 1998, Public Law 105-392.
Program Number
93.925
Last Known Status
Active
Objectives
To make funds available for grants to schools of allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic allied health (baccalaureate and graduate programs of dental hygiene, medical laboratory technician, occupational therapy, radiological technology and physical therapy speech pathology, audiology, registered dieticians), public health, and accredited schools of nursing.
Types of Assistance
Project Grants.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Scholarships may only be expended for tuition expenses, other reasonable educational expenses, and reasonable living expenses incurred while in attendance for the year. The Secretary is required to make available 16 percent of the funds to schools that will provide scholarships only for nurses, and must give preference to former Exceptional Financial Need and Financial Assistance for Disadvantaged Health Professions Student recipients. Schools are required to agree that, in providing scholarships under this program, preference shall be given to students from disadvantaged backgrounds for whom the costs of attending the school would constitute a severe financial hardship. The Secretary may not make a grant to a school unless the school is carrying out a program for recruiting and retaining students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Accredited public or private nonprofit schools of allopathic medicine, nursing, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, chiropractic, allied health, or schools offering graduate programs in public health, behavioral and mental health or physician assistants.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Students who are citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residence 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, the Federated States of Micronesia.
Credentials/Documentation
Each school must submit an application that contains information, agreements and assurances that the program requires.
Application and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
No preapplication is required. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure
Eligible health professions schools submit the required application to the Division of Health Careers Diversity and Development. Students apply to the Financial Aid Office at their respective school. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110. No State plan is required.
Award Procedure
Based upon the availability of funds, notice of awards are issued to the schools which in turn select and issue the awards to the eligible students.
Deadlines
Contact the Headquarters Office listed below for deadline dates.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Appeals
None.
Renewals
Applications are required for new schools.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Each scholarship award is made for 1 year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
A financial status report must be submitted at the end of each budget period.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. In additional, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.
Records
The institutions are required to maintain records of the amount of funds awarded to each recipient and a copy of the total need analysis and determination of resources.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2002, awards were made to over 380 health professions and nursing schools. It is estimated that in fiscal year 2003 over 410 health professions and nursing schools will receive awards. It is estimated that approximately 100 awards will be made to health professions and nursing schools in fiscal year 2004.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-0350-0-1-550.
Obligations
(Grants)FY 02 $46,000,000; FY 03 est $10,000,000 and FY 04 est $9,900,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
From $698 to $650,000. Average: $107,809.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
Program guidelines and related application materials. PHS Grants Policy Statement, DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000, (Rev.) April 1, 1994.
Related Programs
93.139, Financial Assistance for Disadvantaged Health Professions Students; 93.288, National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program; 93.342, Health Professions Student Loans, Including Primary Care Loans/Loans for Disadvantaged Students; 93.364, Nursing Student Loans.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
Not applicable.
Headquarters Office
Program Contact: Mary Farrington, Division of Health Careers Diversity and Development, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Service, Parklawn Building, Room 8-34, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-4776. Use the same numbers for FTS.
Web Site Address
Examples of Funded Projects
Scholarships to students of schools of nursing and health professions schools.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Applications will be reviewed for completeness, accuracy, and to determine if applicant schools meet minimum program requirements.
