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.

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 Place Cursor Here for Definition

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.

Pre-application 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.

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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.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION:

Account Identification:  

75-0350-0-1-550.

Obligations:   (Direct Loans) FY 15 $4,239,512; FY 16 est $5,055,338; and FY 17 est $4,647,425

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  

Range: $3,389 to $731,051 (FY2015); Average: $73,095 per institution for FY 15.

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