HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
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.
To assist students in need
of financial assistance to pursue a course of study in professional nursing
education by providing long-term, low-interest loans, currently at the rate of
5 percent.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Direct Loans. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
Loans have a maximum of $2,500 for an academic year, $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. Loans to full and half-time nursing
students who are citizens, nationals, or a 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, 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 funds.
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:
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.
Consultation and technical assistance are
provided to nursing education institutions wishing to share in loan funds.
Program information may be obtained from DHHS Central Office. This program is
excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. This program is subject to the
provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.
Application Procedure:
Students apply at student aid office of school
of their choice for assistance in applying for a loan. The school then tabulates
requests for funds based on estimated needs of students. Application forms are
distributed to eligible schools and must be returned to the Central office by
date specified in application materials. This program is subject to the
provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.
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 Headquarters Office for application deadlines.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:
Approximately 2 months.
Appeals:
Not applicable.
Renewals:
Applications are required for new schools.
ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:
Formula and Matching Requirements:
Schools participating in loan
programs must match the Federal contribution with an amount not less than
one-ninth of the Federal allotment.
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.
POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
"Annual Operating Report" through electronic
submission at http://www.hhshrsa.com.
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 addition,
grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS
and other Federal government officials.
Records:
Financial records must be kept until such time as agreed upon
with the Secretary of DHHS as specified in 42 CFR 57.318.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
75-0350-0-1-550.
Obligations:
(Loans) FY 01 $3,500,000; FY 02 est $4,500,000; FY 03 est
$4,200,000. Note: Although no annual appropriations may be enacted, this program
operates using revolving funds.
In fiscal year 2001, awards were made to 146 nursing schools. It is estimated
that awards will be made to 110 nursing schools in fiscal year 2002 and 115
nursing schools in fiscal year 2003.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
42 CFR 57. "A Guide for Repayment and Deferment Provisions of Nursing
Student Loans," Nursing Student Loan Program Fact Sheet.
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, Department of
Health and Human Services, Parklawn Building, Room 8-34, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, MD 20857. Telephone: (301) 443-4776. Use same number for FTS.
Web Site Address:
http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
(1) Long-term, low-interest loans made to nursing students; and (2) funds
provided to schools of nursing to capitalize loan funds.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Applications will be reviewed for completeness and accuracy, and to determine
if applicant schools meet minimum program requirements.
