AUTHORIZATION:

Public Health Service Act, Title IV, Part G, Section 487D, as amended, Public Law 103-43; 42 U.S.C. 288-4.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide service-conditioned scholarships to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who agree to pursue undergraduate education at accredited institutions. Individuals must pursue a course of academic study which prepares them for professions needed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH expects to facilitate interest of these individuals in pursuing careers in the biomedical/biobehavioral sciences at the NIH.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

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USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

This program will provide scholarships to individuals who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment as full-time students at an accredited undergraduate institution of higher education and who are from disadvantaged backgrounds. Each recipient must agree by written contract to serve as an NIH employee full-time for not less than 10 consecutive weeks of each year during which the individual is attending the undergraduate institution and receiving a scholarship; and, not later than 60 days after obtaining the educational degree, each recipient must begin serving as a full-time NIH employee for one year for each year of NIH scholarship support (a deferment of the service obligation may be obtained if the Director, NIH, determines that such is appropriate). Applicants must submit a proposed academic program for each academic year and agree that this program will not be altered without prior approval. The applicant must be in good academic (maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5) standing with their educational institution for continuation under the scholarship program. Maximum scholarship per academic year is $20,000. Scholarship funds may only be used for tuition expenses and qualified educational and living expenses incurred while attending school.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   An eligible applicant must be

(1) A U.S. citizen, national, or permanent resident;

(2) enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time student at an accredited undergraduate institution (4 year school) of higher education;

(3) from a disadvantaged background as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services;

(4) in good academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.5 or be in the top 5 percent) with his/her educational institution; and

(5) submit an application to participate in the Undergraduate Scholarship (UGS) Program;

(6) agree to serve as a full-time NIH employee for not less than 10 consecutive weeks of each year during which the individual is attending the educational institution and receiving a scholarship;

(7) agree to serve as a full-time NIH employee for 12 months for each academic year during which the scholarship was provided, not later than 60 days after obtaining his or her academic degree, unless a service deferment is granted.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Undergraduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing academic programs supporting professions needed by the NIH.

Credentials/Documentation:   Applicants must submit documentation of the following, as appropriate:

(1) Verification of enrollment or acceptance to an accredited institution of higher education (4 year school);

(2) a proposed academic program for the school year;

(3) certification from the academic institution that the applicant is in good academic standing (minimum GPA of 3.5, or be in the top 5 percent);

(4) certification from the academic institution that the applicant qualifies for participation in an educational assistance program for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds as defined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and

(5) other documentation as may be required by law, statute, or regulation.

Pre-application Coordination:   Students must be given a fair summary of the rights and liabilities of applicants prior to application. This summary is included in the application packet. Applications are available directly from the program up to 20 weeks before the application deadline. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. Applicants should request an application package from the NIH's Intramural Loan Repayment Scholarship Programs, 2 Center Drive, Room 2E24, Bethesda, MD 20892-0230. Telephone: (888)352-3001. Facsimile: (301) 480-3123.

Application Procedure:   Application, a signed contract, and other required information (as listed in the application packet) are submitted to the Program office. Once an application package is received by the administering Program Office, preliminary eligibility will be determined and highly qualified applicants will be interviewed. Final determination of awards will be made upon review by the Undergraduate Scholarship Program Committee at a regularly scheduled meeting.

Award Procedure:   Priority will be given to applicants who are prior recipients. The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program Committee will review, rank, and approve or disapprove applications submitted for program participation. Criteria which determine competitive ranking for awards may include: (1) career goal in biomedical/biobehavioral research; (2) academic performance; and (3) letters of recommendation. A student's financial need alone does not affect selection. Applicants approved for award will be notified by the Program Director. The Secretary, and his/her designee will sign the service contract of approved applicants, provide a copy to the participant and under graduate institution notice of approved award amount. Scholarship payments, including room and board, books, fees and transportation are made to the college or university for dispersal.

Deadlines:   Contact the Headquarters Office listed below for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   

The approximate time for approval/disapproval is 3 months.

Appeals:   

None.

Renewals:   

Annual renewal applications are required to extend the award. Extensions of the scholarship award are subject to availability of funds, acceptable academic and laboratory performance.

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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 calendar year, and may be extended for an additional 3 years, for a maximum of 4 years. No awardee may receive more than 4 years of support.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Annual reports by schools indicating average student educational expenses and academic status of students.

Audits:   None.

Records:   The NIH will maintain applicant records for 3 years after rejection and participant records for 6 years after completion of final service obligation.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

75-6846-0-1-552.

Obligations:   (Scholarships, Salaries and Benefits) FY 07 $790,000; FY 08 est $1,484,000; and FY 09 est not available.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

Scholarship awards over the past seven years have ranged from $2,000-$20,000, with the average award amount of $9,000.

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