[Federal Register: October 23, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 205)]
[Notices]
[Page 60704-60707]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23oc03-56]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service
Health Professions Preparatory, Pregraduate and Indian Health
Professions Scholarship Programs
AGENCY: Indian Health Service, HHS.
ACTION: Notice of Availability of Funds for Health Professions
Preparatory, Pregraduate, and Indian Health Professions Scholarship
Programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 2004.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Indian Health Service (IHS) is publishing a Notice of
Availability of Funds for Health Professions Preparatory, Pregraduate,
[[Page 60705]]
and Indian Health Professions Scholarship Programs for Fiscal Year (FY)
2004.
The IHS announces the availability of approximately $3,733,332 to
fund scholarships for the Health Professions Preparatory and
Pregraduate Scholarship Programs for FY 2004 awards. These programs are
authorized by section 103 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act
(IHCIA), Pub. L. 94-437, as amended by Pub. L. 100-713, Pub. L. 102-
573, and Pub. L. 104-313.
The Indian Health Scholarship (Professions), authorized by section
104 of the IHCIA, Pub. L. 94-437, as amended by Pub. L. 100-713, by
Pub. L. 102-573, and by Pub. L. 104-313 has approximately $8,177,245
available for FY 2004 awards.
Full-time and part-time scholarships will be funded for each of the
three scholarship programs.
The Indian Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship is listed as
No. 93.123 in the Office of Management and Budget Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance (CFDA). The Health Professions Pregraduate
Scholarship is listed as No. 93.971, and the Indian Health Scholarship
(Professions) is listed as No. 93.972 in the CFDA.
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
Health People 2020, (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).
DATES: The application deadline for both new and continuing applicants
is February 28, 2004. If February 28, falls on the week-end, the
application will be due on the following Monday. Applications shall be
considered as meeting the deadline if they are received by the
appropriate Scholarship 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 shall not be acceptable as proof of timely mailing.)
Applications received after the announced closing date will be returned
to the applicant and will not be considered for funding.
ADDRESSES: Application packets may be obtained by calling or writing to
the addresses listed below. The application form number is IHS 856,
856-2 through 856-8, 815, 816, 818 (approved under OMB No. 0917-0006
(expires 12/31/2004)).
------------------------------------------------------------------------
IHS Area Office and States/Locality
Served: Scholarship Coordinator/Address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Area IHS: Iowa, Nebraska, Ms. Alice LaFontaine,
North Dakota, South Dakota. Scholarship Coordinator,
Aberdeen Area IHS. Federal
Building, Room 309, 115 4th
Avenue, SW, Aberdeen, SD
57401, Tele: 605-226-7553.
Alaska Area Native Health Service: Ms. Evangelyn Dotomain,
Alaska. Scholarship Coordinator,
Alaska Area ISH, 3925 Tudor
Centre Drive, Anchorage,
Alaska 9508, Tele: 907-729-
1913.
Albuquerque Area IHS: Colorado, New Ms. Alvina Waseta, Scholarship
Mexico. Coordinator, Albuquerque Area
IHS, 5300 Homestead Road, NE,
Albuquerque, NM 87110, Tele:
505-248-4513.
Bemidji Area IHS: Illinois, Indiana, Mr. Tony Buckanaga, Scholarship
Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin. Coordinator, BEmidji Area IHS,
522 Minnesota Avenue, NW, Room
209, Bemidji, MN 56601, Tele:
218-759-3415.
Billings Area IHS: Montana, Wyoming.... Mr. Sandy Macdonald,
Scholarship 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, Scholarship
Coordinator, California Area
IHS, 650 Capitol Mall, 6th
Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814,
Tele: 916-930-3981.
Nashville Area IHS: Alabama, Arkansas, Ms. Alvina Waseta, Scholarship
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Coordinator, Nashville Area
Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, IHS, 5300 Homestead Road, NE,
Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Albuquerque, NM 87110, Tele:
District of Columbia, New Hampshire, 505-248-4513.
New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont,
Virginia, West Virginia.
Navajo Area IHS: Arizona, New Mexico, Ms. Roselinda Allison,
Utah. Scholarship Coordinator,
Navajo Area IHS, P.O. Box
9020, Window Rock, AZ 86515,
Tele: 928-871-1358.
Oklahoma City Area IHS: Kansas, Mr. Jim Ingram, Scholarship
Missouri, Oklahoma. Coordinator, Oklahoma City
Area IHS, HC 67, Box 132,
Marietta, OK 73448, Tele: 580-
276-5983.
Phoenix Area IHS: Arizona, Nevada, Utah Norm Cavanaugh, Scholarship
Coordinator, Phoenix Area IHS,
Two Renaissance Square, 40
North Central Avenue, Suite
600, Phoenix, AZ
85004, Tele: 602-364-5220.
Portland Area IHS: Idaho, Oregon, Ms. Darlene Marcellay-Hyland,
Washington. Scholarship Coordinator,
Portland Area IHS, 1220 SW
Third Avenue, Rm. 440,
Portland, OR 97204-2892, Tele:
503-326-2625.
Tucson Area IHS: Arizona, Texas........ Ms. Malinda Paul, Scholarship
Coordinator, Tucson Area IHS,
7900 South ``J.'' Stock Rd.,
Tucson, AZ 85746, Tele: 520-
295-2441.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please address application inquiries
to the appropriate Indian Health Service Area Scholarship 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, Grants Management Branch, Division
of Acquisition and Grants Operations, Indian Health Service, 801
Thompson Avenue, Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland
[[Page 60706]]
20852; Telephone 301-443-5204. (This is not a toll-free number.)
A. General Program Purpose
These grants programs are intended to encourage American Indians
and Alaska Natives to enter the health professions and to assure the
availability of Indian health professionals to serve Indians.
B. Eligibility Requirements
1. The Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship awards are made
to American Indians or Alaska Natives who meet the criteria in section
4(c) of the IHCIA, as amended, who have successfully completed high
school education or high school equivalency and who have been accepted
for enrollment in a compensatory, pre-professional general education
course or curriculum. 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.
2. The Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship awards are made
to American Indians or Alaska Natives who meet the criteria in section
4(c) of the IHCIA, as amended, who have successfully completed high
school education or high school equivalency and who have been accepted
for enrollment or are enrolled in an accredited pregraduate program
leading to a baccalaureate degree in pre-medicine or pre-dentistry.
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.
3. The Indian Health Scholarship (Professions) may be awarded only
to an individual who is a member of a federally recognized tribe as
provided by section 104, 4(c), and 4(d) of the IHCIA. Membership in a
Tribe recognized only 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 course of study in a
health profession as defined by section 4(n) of the IHCIA. 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.
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 338C of the Public Health Service
Act (43 U.S.C. 244m) which shall be met by service:
(1) In Indian Health Service;
(2) In a program conducted under a contract or compact entered into
under the Indian Self-Determination Act;
(3) In a program assisted under Title V of the Indian Health Care
Improvement Act (Pub. L. 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 (Pub. L. 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 338c of the Public Health Service Act (42
U.S.C. 254m) by a program specified in options (1)-(4) above that:
(1) Is located on the reservation of the Tribe in which the
recipient is entrolled; or
(ii) Serves the Tribe in which the recipient is entrolled.
In summary, all recipients of the Indian Health Scholarship
(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, Pub.
L. 94-437, as amended by Pub. L. 100-713, and Pub. L. 102-573.
C. Fund Availability
Both part-time and full-time scholarship awards will be made ina
ccordance with regulations at 42 CFR part 36.320, incorporated in the
application materials, for Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship
Program for Indians and 42 CFR part 36.370, incorporated in the
application materials, for Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship
Program for Indians. Approximately 200 awards, 100 of which are
continuing, will be made under the Health Professions Preparatory and
Pregraduate Scholarship Programs for Indians. The awards are for 10
months induration and the average award to a full-time student is
approximately $20,000. In FY 2004, approximately $1,500,000 is
available for continuation awards and approximately $2,233,000 is
available for new awards.
Approximately 340 awards, 179 of which are continuing, will be made
under the Indian Health Scholarship (Professions) Program. Awards will
be made to both full-time and part-time students. The awards are for 12
months in duration and the average award to a full-time student is for
approximately $23,500. In FY 2004, approximately $3,551,000 is
available for continuation awards, and $4,626,000 is available for new
awards.
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.
D. Criteria for Evaluation
Applications will be evaluated against the following criteria:
1. Needs 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.
2. Academic Performance. 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.
3. Faculty/Employer Recommendations. 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.
4. Stated Reasons for Asking for the Scholarship and Stated Career
Goals. Applicants must provide a brief written explanation of reasons
for asking for the scholarship and of career goals. The applicant's
narrative will be judged on how well it is written and content.
5. 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.
E. Priority Categories
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
[[Page 60707]]
Indian Health Scholarships (Professions). Section 104(b)(1) of the
IHCIA, as amended by the Indian Health Care Amendment of 1988, Pub. L.
100-713, authorizes the IHS to determine specific health professions
for which Indian Health Scholarships will be awarded. The list of
priority health professions that follow, by scholarship program, and
based upon the needs of the IHS as well as upon the needs of the
American Indians and Alaska Natives for additional service by specific
health profession.
1. Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship Scholarships. (Below
is the list of disciplines to be supported and priority is based on
academic level)
A. Pre-Dietetics.
B. Pre-Engineering.
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).
2. Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarships. (Below is the list
of disciplines to be supported and priority is based on academic level:
Senior, Junior, Sophomore, Freshman)
A. Pre-Dentistry.
B. Pre-Medicine.
3. Indian Health Scholarships (Professions). (Below is a list of
disciplines to be supported and priority is based on academic level,
unless specified: Graduate, Senior, Junior, Sophomore, Freshman)
A. Associate Degree Nurse.
B. Chemical Dependency Counseling: Baccalaureate and Masters level.
C. Clinical Psychology: Ph.D. only.
D. Coding Specialist: Certificate.
E. Counseling Psychology: Ph.D. only.
F. Dental Hygiene: B.S.
G. Dentistry: B.S. and M.S.
H. Diagnostic Radiology Technology: Certificate, Associate, and B.S.
I. Dietitian: B.S.
J. Engineering (Civil and Environmental): B.S.
K. Environmental Health (Sanitarian): B.S.
L. Health Care Administration: B.S. and M.S.
M. Health Education: B.S. and M.S.
N. Health Records: R.H.I.T and R.H.I.A.
O. Injury Prevention Specialist.
P. Medical Technology: B.S.
Q. Medicine: Allopathic and Osteopathic.
R. Nurse: B.S.*
S. Nurse: R.N.A.
* (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.)
T. Optometry.
U. Pharmacy: B.S., Pharm D.
V. Physician Assistant.
W. Physical Therapy: M.S. and D.P.T.
X. Podiatry: D.P.M.
Y. Public Health: M.P.H. only (Applicants must be enrolled or accepted
in a school of public health in specialty areas such as Dietetics and
Community Development in heath).
Z. Public Health Nutrition: Masters level only.
AA. Respiratory Therapy: Associate.
BB. Social Work: Masters level only (Clinical, Community, and
Gerontology).
CC. Ultrasonography (Prerequisite: Diagnostic Radiology Technology).
Interested individuals are reminded that the list of eligible
health and allied health professions is effective for applicants for
the 2004-2005 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: October 14, 2003.
Charles W. Grim,
Assistant Surgeon General, Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 03-26698 Filed 10-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-16-M