News from NASFAA
Federal Register: January 19, 2005
Volume 70, Number 12
[Notices]
[Page 3046-3050]
[PDF Version of Document.]
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
[Funding Opportunity Number HHS-2005-IHS-SP-0001; CFDA Numbers: 93.123,
93.971, and 93.972]
Health Professions Preparatory, Health Professions Pregraduate
and Indian Health Professions Scholarship Programs; Announcement Type:
Initial
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: March 28, 2005.
Application Review: April 11-April 15, 2005.
Application Notification: Third week of July 2005.
Anticipated Award Start Date: August 31, 2005.
I. Funding Opportunity Description
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is committed to encouraging
American Indians and Alaska Natives to enter the health professions and
to assuring the availability of Indian health professionals to serve
Indians. The IHS is committed to the recruitment of students for the
following programs:
- The Indian Health Professions Preparatory Scholarships
authorized by section 103(b)(1) of the Indian Health Care Improvement
Act (IHCIA), Public Law 94-437, as amended by Public Law 100-713,
Public Law 102-573, and Public Law 104-313, CFDA 93.123.
- The Indian Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarships
section 103(b)(2) of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act (IHCIA),
Public Law 94-437, as amended by Public Law 100-713, Public Law 102-
573, and Public Law 104-313, CFDA 93.971.
- The Indian Health Professions Scholarship section 104 of
the IHCIA, Public Law 94-437, as amended by Public Law 100-713, by
Public Law 102-573, and by Public Law 104-313, CFDA 93.972.
Full-time and part-time scholarships will be funded for each of the
three scholarship programs. The Public Health Service (PHS) is
committed to achieving the health promotion and disease prevention
objectives of Healthy People 2010, a PHS-led activity for setting
priority areas. This program announcement is related to the priority
area of Education and Community-Based Programs. Potential applicants
may obtain a copy of Healthy People 2010, (Full Report; Stock No. 017-
001-00474-0) or Healthy People 2010 (Summary Report; Stock No. 017-001-
00473-1) through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing
Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325 (Telephone (202) 783-3238).
II. Award Information
Awards under this initiative will be administered using the
institutional grant mechanism of the IHS.
Estimated Funds Available: An estimated $7.8 million will be
available for FY 2005 awards.
Anticipated Number of Awards: Approximately 200 awards will be made
under the Health Professions Preparatory and Pregraduate Scholarship
Programs for Indians. The awards are for 10 months in duration and the
average award to a full-time student is approximately $23,000. An
estimated 340 awards will be made under the Indian Health Scholarship
(Professions) Program. The awards are for 12 months in duration and the
average award to a full-time student is for approximately $25,000. In
FY 2005, an estimated $3,410,000 is available for continuation awards,
and an estimated $4,485,000 is available for new awards.
Project Period--The project period will vary based on the type of
scholarship for which the grantee applies.
[[Page 3047]]
Max Project Period--The project period for the Health Professions
Preparatory Scholarship support is limited to 2 years for full-time
students and the part-time equivalent of 2 years, not to exceed 4 years
for part-time students. The project period for the Health Professions
Pregraduate Scholarship Support is limited to 4 years for full-time
students and the part-time equivalent of 4 years, not to exceed 8 years
for part-time students. The Indian Health Professions Scholarship
support is limited to 4 years for full-time students and the part-time
equivalent of 4 years, not to exceed 8 years for part-time students.
III. Eligibility Information
1. Eligible Applicants
The Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship awards are made to
American Indians (state recognized Tribal members, federally recognized
Tribal members, and first and second degree descendants of Tribal
members), or Alaska Natives who:
- Have successfully completed high school education or high
school equivalency; and
- Have been accepted for enrollment in a compensatory, pre-
professional general education course or curriculum.
The Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship awards are made to
American Indians (state recognized Tribal members, federally recognized
Tribal members, and first and second degree Tribal members), or Alaska
Natives who:
- Have successfully completed high school education or high
school equivalency; and
- Have been accepted for enrollment or are enrolled in an
accredited pregraduate program leading to a baccalaureate degree in
pre-medicine or pre-dentistry.
The Indian Health Scholarship (Professions) may be awarded only to
an individual who is a member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe as
provided by section 4(c), and 4(d) of the IHCIA. Membership in a Tribe
recognized only by a state does not meet this statutory requirement. To
receive an Indian Health Scholarship (Professions) an otherwise
eligible individual must be enrolled in an appropriately accredited
school and pursuing a course of study in a health profession as defined
by section 4(n) of the IHCIA.
2. Cost Sharing/Matching
The Scholarship Program does not require matching funds or cost
sharing to participate in the competitive grant process.
IV. Application and Submission Information
1. Address To Request Application Package
Applicants are responsible for contacting and requesting an
application packet from their IHS Area coordinator. They are listed on
the IHS Web site at
http://www.ihs.gov/JobsCareerDevelop/DHPS/Scholarships/SCoordinator_Directory.asp.
This information is listed below. Please review the following list to identify the appropriate IHS
Area coordinator for your state. Application packets may be obtained by
calling or writing to the following individuals listed below:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IHS area office and States / locality Scholarship coordinator /
served address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Area IHS: Iowa, Nebraska, Ms. Kim Lawrence, IHS Area
North Dakota, South Dakota. Coordinator, Aberdeen Area
IHS, 115 4th Avenue, SE.,
Aberdeen, SD 57401, Tele:
(605) 226-7532.
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium: Ms. Evangelyn Dotomain, IHS
Alaska. Area Coordinator, 4000
Ambassador Drive, Anchorage,
Alaska 99508, Tele: (907) 729-
1913.
Albuquerque Area IHS: Colorado, New Ms. Arnissa Vallo, IHS Area
Mexico. Coordinator, Albuquerque Area
IHS, 5300 Homestead Road, NE.,
Albuquerque, NM 87110, Tele: 1-
800-382-3027.
Bemidji Area IHS: Illinois, Indiana, Mr. Tony Buckanaga, IHS Area
Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin. Coordinator, Bemidji Area IHS,
522 Minnesota Avenue, NW.,
Room 209, Bemidji, MN 56601,
Tele: (218) 444-0486.
Billings Area IHS: Montana, Wyoming.... Mr. Sandy Macdonald, IHS Area
Coordinator, Billings Area
IHS, Area Personnel Office,
P.O. Box 36600, 2900 4th
Avenue, North, Billings, MT
59103, Tele: (406) 247-7210.
California Area IHS: California, Hawaii Ms. Mona Celli, IHS Area
Coordinator, California Area
IHS, 650 Capitol Mall, Suite 7-
100, Sacramento, CA 95814,
Tele: (916) 930-3981.
Nashville Area IHS: Alabama, Arkansas, Ms. Arnissa Vallo, IHS Area
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Coordinator, Nashville Area
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, IHS, 5300 Homestead Road, NE.,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Albuquerque, NM 87110, Tele: 1-
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, 800-382-3027.
North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
Rhode Island, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West
Virginia, District of Columbia.
Navajo Area IHS: Arizona, New Mexico, Ms. Roselinda Allison, IHS Area
Utah. Coordinator, Navajo Area IHS,
P.O. Box 9020, Window Rock, AZ
86515, Tele: (928) 871-1358.
Oklahoma City Area IHS: Kansas, Mr. Jim Ingram, IHS Area
Missouri, Oklahoma. Coordinator, Oklahoma City
Area IHS, HC 67, Box 132,
Marietta, OK 73448, Tele:
(580) 276-5983.
Phoenix Area IHS: Arizona, Nevada, Utah Mr. Al Peyketewa, IHS Area
Coordinator, Phoenix Area IHS,
Two Renaissance Square, 40
North Central Avenue, Suite
510, Phoenix, AZ
85004, Tele: (602) 364-5252.
Portland Area IHS: Idaho, Oregon, Ms. Athena Bezahaloni, IHS Area
Washington. Coordinator, Portland Area
IHS, 1220 SW. Third Area IHS,
Rm. 440e, Portland, OR 97204-
2892, Tele: (503) 326-2625.
Tucson Area IHS: Arizona, Texas........ Ms. Reanetta Siquieros, IHS
Area Coordinator, Tucson Area
IHS, 7900 South ``J.'' Stock
Rd., Tucson, AZ 85746, Tele:
(520) 295-2440.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. Content and Form of Application Submission
Each applicant will be responsible for submitting the completed
application (Forms IHS-856-1, through 856-8) to their IHS Area
coordinator. Electronic applications are not being accepted for this
cycle. The application will be considered complete if the following
documents are included.
- Application Checklist.
[[Page 3048]]
- Original Signed Complete Application Form IHS-856
(Continuation Students--Data Sheet).
- Letter of Acceptance from College/Proof of Application to
Health Professions Program.
- Official Transcripts for All Colleges.
- Cumulative GPA: Applicants Calculation.
- Documents for Indian Eligibility.
A. If you are a member of a federally recognized Tribe (recognized
by the Secretary of the Interior), provide evidence of membership such
as:
(1) Certification of Tribal enrollment by the Secretary of the
Interior, acting through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA
Certification: Form 4432--Category A or D, which ever is applicable);
or
(2) In the absence of BIA certification, documentation that you
meet requirements of Tribal membership as prescribed by the charter,
articles of incorporation or other legal instrument of the Tribe and
have been officially designated as a Tribal member as evidenced by an
accompanying document signed by an authorized Tribal official, or
(3) Other evidence of Tribal membership satisfactory to the
Secretary of the Interior.
B. If you are a member of a Tribe terminated since 1940 or a State
recognized Tribe, provide official documentation that you meet the
requirements of Tribal membership as prescribed by the charter,
articles of incorporation or other legal instrument of the Tribe and
have been officially designated as a Tribal member as evidenced by an
accompanying document signed by an authorized Tribal official; or other
evidence, satisfactory to the Secretary of the Interior, that you are a
member of the Tribe. In addition, if the terminated or state recognized
Tribe of which you are a member is not on a list of such Tribes
published by the Secretary of the Interior in the Federal Register, you
must submit an official signed document that the Tribe has been
terminated since 1940 or is recognized by the state in which the Tribe
is located in accordance with the law of that state.
C. If you are not a Tribal member but are a natural child or
grandchild of a Tribal member, you must submit: (1) Evidence of that
fact, e.g., your birth certificate and/or your parent's birth
certificate showing the name of the Tribal member: and (2) evidence of
your parent's or grandparent's Tribal membership in accordance with
paragraphs A and B. The relationship to the Tribal member must be
clearly documented. Applications that do not provide the required
documentation will be deemed incomplete and will be returned to the
applicant.
Note: If you meet the criteria of B or C you are eligible only
for the Preparatory or Pregraduate Scholarships.
- Two Faculty/Employer Evaluations with original signature.
- Reasons for Requesting Scholarship.
- Delinquent Debt Form.
- Course Curriculum Verification with signature.
- Acknowledgment Card.
- Section 103/103P Agreement Signed and Dated (Form IHS-817).
- Curriculum for Major.
Health Professions Applicants Only:
- Section 104 Contract Signed and Dated (Form IHS-818).
- Health Related Experience (MPH only)--Optional Form.
3. Submission Dates and Times
Application Receipt Date: The application deadline for both new and
continuing applicants is Monday, February 28, 2005. Applications shall
be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received by the
appropriate IHS Area Coordinator on the deadline date or postmarked on
or before the deadline date. Applicants should request a legibly dated
U.S. Postal Service postmark or obtain a legibly dated receipt from a
commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service. Private metered postmarks
will not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing. Applications will
not be considered for funding. Once the application is received, the
applicant will receive an ``Acknowledge of Receipt of Application''
(IHS-815) card that is included in the application packet.
4. Intergovernmental Review
Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not
applicable to this program.
5. Funding Restrictions
No more than 5% of available funds will be used for part-time
scholarships this fiscal year. Students are considered part-time if
they are enrolled for a minimum of 6 hours of instruction and are not
considered in full-time status by their college/university.
Documentation must be received from part-time applicants that their
school and course curriculum allows less than full-time status. Both
part-time and full-time scholarship awards will be made in accordance
with 42 CFR parts 36.320, 36.370 and 36.330 incorporated in the
application materials; and for Health Professions Scholarship Program
for Indians.
6. Other Submission Requirements
Applicants are responsible for contacting and requesting an
application packet from their IHS Area Coordinator. Electronic
applications are not being accepted for this cycle.
V. Application Review Information
1. Criteria
Applications will be reviewed and scored with the following
criteria:
- Need of the IHS. Applicants are considered for scholarship
awards based on their desired career goals and how these goals relate
to current Indian health manpower needs. Applications for each health
career category are reviewed and ranked separately.
- Academic Performance (40 points). Applicants are rated
according to their academic performance as evidenced by transcripts and
faculty evaluations. In cases where a particular applicant's school has
a policy not to rank students academically, faculty members are asked
to provide a personal judgement of the applicant's achievement. Health
Professions applicants with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 are not eligible
to apply.
- Faculty/Employer Recommendations (30 points). Applicants
are rated according to evaluations by faculty members and current and/
or former employers regarding the applicant's potential in the chosen
health related professions.
- Stated Reasons for Asking for the Scholarship and Stated
Career Goals (30 points). Applicants must provide a brief written
explanation of reasons for asking for the scholarship and of their
career goals. The applicant's narrative will be judged on how well it
is written and content.
- Applicants who are closest to graduation or completion are
awarded first. For example, senior and junior applicants under the
Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship receive funding before
freshmen and sophomores.
- Priority Categories. The following is a list of health
professions that will be funded in each scholarship program in FY 2005.
- Health Professions Preparatory Scholarships.
A. Pre-Dietetics.
B. Pre-Engineering (Environmental Health).
C. Pre-Medical Technology.
D. Pre-Nursing.
E. Pre-Pharmacy.
F. Pre-Physical Therapy (Jr and Sr undergraduate years).
G. Pre-Social Work (Jr and Sr undergraduate years).
Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarships.
[[Page 3049]]
A. Pre-Dentistry.
B. Pre-Medicine.
- Indian Health Scholarships (Professions).
A. Associate Degree Nurse.
B. Chemical Dependency Counseling: Baccalaureate and Masters level.
C. Clinical Psychology: Ph.D. only.
D. Counseling Psychology: Ph.D. only.
E. Dental Hygiene: B.S.
F. Dentistry: D.D.S. or D.M.D.
G. Diagnostic Radiology Technology: Certificate, Associate, and
B.S.
H. Dietitian: B.S.
I. Engineering (Environmental Health): B.S.
J. Environmental Health (Sanitarian): B.S.
K. Health Care Administration: Masters Level Only.
L. Health Education: Masters Level Only.
M. Health Records: R.H.I.T and R.H.I.A.
N. Injury Prevention Specialist.
O. Medical Technology: B.S.
P. Medicine: Allopathic and Osteopathic.
Q. Nurse: B.S.
R. Nurse: Nurse Anesthetist
*(Priority consideration will be given to Registered Nurses
employed by the Indian Health Service; in a program assisted under a
contract entered into under the Indian Self-Determination Act; or in a
program assisted under Title V of the Indian Health Care Improvement
Act.)
S. Optometry.
T. Pharmacy: Pharm D.
U. Physician Assistant.
V. Physical Therapy: M.S. and D.P.T.
W. Podiatry: D.P.M.
X. Public Health: M.P.H. only (Applicants must be enrolled or
accepted in a school of public health).
Y. Public Health Nutrition: Masters level only.
Z. Respiratory Therapy: Associate.
AA. Social Work: Masters level only (Concentration in Mental
Health).
BB. Ultrasonography (Prerequisite: Diagnostic Radiology
Technology).
2. Review and Selection Process
The applications will be reviewed & scored by the IHS Scholarship
Programs' Application Review Committee appointed by the IHS. Each
reviewer will not be allowed to review an application from his/her area
or his/her own Tribe. Each application will be reviewed by 3 reviewers.
The average score of the three reviews provide the final Ranking Score
for each applicant. To determine the ranking of each applicant, these
scores are sorted from the highest to the lowest within each
scholarship, health discipline, date of graduation, and score. If
several students have the same date of graduation and score within the
same discipline, computer ranking list will randomly sort and will not
be sorted by alphabetical name. Selections for recommendations to the
Director, IHS, are then made from the top of each ranking list to the
extent that funds allocated by the IHS among the three scholarships are
available for obligation.
VI. Award Administration Information
1. Award Notices
Applicants will be notified in writing during the first week of
July, 2005. An Award Letter will be issued to successful applicants.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified in writing, which will include
a brief explanation of the reasons the application was not successful
and provide the name of the IHS official to contact if more information
is desired.
2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements
Awards for the Indian Health Scholarships (Professions) will be
made in accordance with 42 CFR 36.330. Recipients shall incur a service
obligation prescribed under section 338A of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 254l) which shall be met by service:
(1) In the Indian Health Service;
(2) In a program conducted under a contract or compact entered into
under the Indian Self-Determination Act and Education Assistance Act
(Public Law 93-638) and its amendments.
(3) In a program assisted under Title V of the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act (Public Law 94-437) and its amendments; and
(4) In private practice of his or her profession, if the practice
(a) is situated in a health professional shortage area, designated in
regulations promulgated by the Secretary and (b) addresses the health
care needs of a substantial number of Indians as determined by the
Secretary in accordance with guidelines of the Service.
Pursuant to the Indian Health Amendments of 1992 (Public Law 104-
313), a recipient of an Indian Health Professions Scholarship may, at
the election of the recipient, meet his/her active duty service
obligation prescribed under section 338A of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 254l) by a program specified in options (1)-(4) above
that:
(i) Is located on the reservation of the Tribe in which the
recipient is enrolled; or
(ii) Serves the Tribe in which the recipient is enrolled.
In summary, all recipients of the Indian Health Scholarship (Health
Professions) are reminded that recipients of this scholarship incur a
service obligation. Moreover, this obligation shall be served at a
facility determined by the Director, IHS, consistent with IHCIA, Public
Law 94-437, as amended by Public Law 100-713, and Public Law 102-573.
3. Reporting
Scholarship Program Minimum Academic Requirements. It is the policy
of the IHS that a scholarship recipient awarded under the Health
Professions Scholarship Program of the Indian Health Care Improvement
Act maintain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) each semester/
quarter and be a full-time student (minimum of 12 credit hours
considered by your school as full-time). A recipient of a scholarship
under the health Professions Pre-graduate and Health Professions
Preparatory Scholarship authority must maintain a good academic
standing each semester/quarter and be a full time student (minimum of
12 credit hours or the number of credit hours considered by your school
as full-time). In addition to the two requirements stated above, a
Health Professions Scholarship program grantee must be enrolled in an
approved/accredited school for a health professions degree. Part-time
students for the three scholarship programs must also maintain a 2.0
cumulative GPA and must take at least 6 credit hours each semester/
quarter but less than the number of hours considered full-time by your
school. Scholarship grantees must be approved for part-time status at
the time of scholarship award. Scholarship grantees may not change from
part-time status to full-time status or vice versa in the same academic
year. The following reports must be sent to the IHS Scholarship Program
at the identified time frame. Each scholarship grantee will be provided
with an IHS Scholarship Handbook where the below needed reports are
located. If a scholarship grantee fails to submit these reports as
required, they will be ineligible for continuation of scholarship
support and scholarship award payments will be discontinued.
A. Recipient's Enrollment and Initial Progress Report
Within thirty (30) days from the beginning of each semester or
quarter, scholarship grantees must submit a Recipient's Enrollment and
Initial Progress Report (Form F-02 of the student handbook).
[[Page 3050]]
B. Transcripts
Within thirty (30) days from the end of each academic period, i.e.,
semester, quarter, or summer session, scholarship grantees must submit
an Official Transcript showing the results of the classes taken during
that period.
C. Notification of Academic Problem/Change
If at any time during the semester/quarter, scholarship grantees
are advised to reduce the number of credit hours for which they are
enrolled below the minimum of 12 (or the number of hours considered by
their school as full time) for a full-time student or at least 6 hours
for part-time students; or if they experience academic problems, they
must submit this report (page F-04 of student handbook).
D. Change of Status
- Change of Academic Status. Scholarship Grantees must
immediately notify the IHS Area Coordinator if they are placed on
academic probation, dismissed from school, or voluntarily withdraw for
any reason (personal or medical).
- Change of Health Discipline. Scholarship Grantees may not
change from the approved IHS Scholarship Program health discipline
during the school year. If an unapproved change is made, scholarship
payments will be discontinued.
- Change in Graduation Date. Any time that a change occurs
in a scholarship grantee's expected graduation date, they must notify
their IHS Area Coordinator immediately in writing. Justification must
be attached from the school advisor.
VII. Agency Contacts
Please address application inquiries to the appropriate IHS Area
Coordinator. Other programmatic inquiries may be addressed to Mr. Jess
Brien, Chief, Scholarship Branch, Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson
Avenue, Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland 20852; Telephone (301) 443-6197.
(This is not a toll free number.) For grants information, contact Mr.
Bernard Covers Up, Grants Scholarship Coordinator, Division of Grants
Policy, Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 120,
Rockville, Maryland 20852; Telephone (301) 443-5204. (This is not a
toll-free number.)
VIII. Other Information
Regulations at 42 CFR part 36.304 provide that the IHS shall, from
time to time, publish a list of health professions eligible for
consideration for the award of Indian Health Professions Preparatory
and Pregraduate Scholarships and Indian Health Scholarships
(Professions). Section 104(b)(1) of the IHCIA, as amended by the Indian
Health Care Amendment of 1988, Public Law 100-713, authorizes the IHS
to determine specific health professions for which Indian Health
Scholarships will be awarded.
Interested individuals are reminded that the list of eligible
health and allied health professions is effective for applicants for
the 2005-2006 academic year. These priorities will remain in effect
until superseded. Applicants for health and allied health professions
not on the above priority list will be considered pending the
availability of funds and dependent upon the availability of qualified
applicants in the priority areas.
Dated: January 12, 2005.
Charles W. Grim,
Assistant Surgeon General, Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 05-1030 Filed 1-18-05; 8:45 am]
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