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 (associate, diploma, baccalaureate
and graduate programs) and graduate degree in behavioral and mental
health. Funds are awarded to assist such schools in providing scholarships
to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who are enrolled (or
accepted for enrollment) as full-time students in the schools.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants. Place Cursor
Here for Definition
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.
Pre-application
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: From 1 to 2 months.
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.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification:
75-0350-0-1-550.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $44,000,000; FY 02 est $46,000,000; and FY 03 est
$10,000,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
From $698 to $650,000. Average: $107,809.
In fiscal year 2001, awards
were made to over 360 health professions and nursing schools. It
is estimated that in fiscal year 2002 over 360 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 2003.
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.
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: http://bhpr.hrsa.gov/dsa
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.
