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.

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 (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:  
Range: FY 2015: $42,840 to $650,000; Average $443,840.
Range: FY 2016: $28,000 to $650,000; Average $546,428.

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:  
Denise Sorrell, Division of Health Careers and Financial Support, Bureau of Health Workforce, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 15N78,, Rockville , Maryland 20857 Email: dsorrell@hrsa.gov Phone: (301) 443-1173

Web Site Address:  
https://bhw.hrsa.gov/

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.