Nursing Scholarship Program 2012 – 2013 Application U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration Bureau of Clinician Recruitment and Service Division of Nursing and Public Health

The purpose of the Nursing Scholarship Program (NSP) is to provide scholarships to nursing students in exchange for a minimum 2 year full-time service commitment at an eligible health care facility with a critical shortage of nurses NSP Purpose

 Scholarship NSP provides tuition and required fees, along with an additional one-time annual payment for other reasonable costs associated with nursing programs  Stipend NSP recipients receive a monthly stipend  Service NSP provides nurses with an opportunity to increase access to care by delivering nursing services in eligible health care facilities with a critical shortage of nurses NSP Benefits

To be eligible for a scholarship, by the application due date, all NSP applicants must be:  A U.S. citizen (either U.S. born or naturalized) or U.S. National; and Lawful Permanent Resident  Enrolled or accepted as a full or part time student in a nursing degree program from one of the following: Associate Degree of School of Nursing Collegiate School of Nursing Diploma School of Nursing  Attend a nursing school or program located in a State or U.S. Territory  Starting the nursing degree program on or before September 30, 2012 NSP Eligibility

You are ineligible if you:  Have any judgment liens against your property arising from a debt owed to the United States;  Have a breach of a prior service obligation;  Have judgment lien(s) arising from Federal debt;  Have an existing service obligation;  Are excluded, debarred, suspended, or disqualified by a Federal Agency;  Enrolled in a LPN program, self-paced study programs (on-line), bridge programs that are not RN to BSN programs, dual degree programs and, NSP Ineligibility

 Have a history of not honoring prior legal obligations, as evidenced by one or more of the following factors: Defaulted on a prior service obligation to the Federal government, a State or local government, or other entity; Defaulted on any Federal payment obligations or non-Federal payment obligations; or Write off of any Federal or non-Federal debt as uncollectible. NSP Ineligibility cont’d

Funding is based on several factors:  Availability of funds  Selection factors  Funding preferences Scholarship Selection

Scholarship Selection Factors  Financial need Qualified applicants with the greatest financial need (i.e., applicants with an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) between $0 and $5,550)*  Academic performance Qualified applicants who demonstrate the ability to excel and maintain good academic standing in school  Essay questions Qualified applicants who demonstrate a thorough commitment to a career in nursing; interest/motivation in providing care to underserved communities; and relevant work experience and/or activities  Recommendation letters  Curriculum Vitae (CV)/Resume *Please note: Applicants with an EFC greater than $5,550 are still ELIGIBLE, however, they do not receive funding preference and would only receive funding after applicants from the preference groups are funded.

Scholarship Funding Preferences There is a funding preference for applicants with the greatest financial need. The financial need is based on the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $0 - $5,550, which is provided on the applicant’s Student Aid Report (SAR).  First Funding Preference - Qualified applicants who have an EFC of $0-$5,550 and are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited undergraduate nursing program or Master’s level nurse practitioner program as full-time students.  Second Funding Preference - Qualified applicants who have an EFC of $0- $5,550 and are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited graduate nursing program other than a Master’s level nurse practitioner program as full-time students (e.g., Doctor of Nursing Practice programs, certified nurse midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, or clinical nurse specialists)  Third Funding Preference - Qualified applicants who have an EFC of $0-$5,550 and are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate nursing program as part-time students

As an NSP participant, your NSP contract requires:  Minimum of 2 years at an eligible critical shortage facility (CSF)*  Recipients fulfill their NSP service commitment within the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Territory of Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Territory of American Samoa, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Federated States of Micronesia  Full-time (or if approved by the Secretary, part-time) clinical service in a public or private facility with a critical shortage of nurses located in a State *Please note: The designation and definition of a CSF is subject to change Service Obligation

Years of Scholarship SupportYears of Service Obligation 1 Full-Time School Year ( )2 Years Full-Time 2 Full- Time School Years ( )2 Years Full-Time 3 Full- Time School Years ( )3 Years Full-Time 4 Full- Time School Years ( )4 Years Full-Time Length of Service Commitment

Critical Shortage Facilities.  Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) Designated by HRSA as having shortages of primary medical care, dental or mental health providers May be geographic, population, or institutional NSP will only use primary medical care and mental health HPSA designations and scores For more information on HPSA designations: To find out if a facility is located in a HPSA visit: o tionAdvisor.aspx or; tionAdvisor.aspx o o (select only primary medical care or mental health)

Ambulatory Surgical CenterIndian Health Service Health Center Critical Access HospitalNative Hawaiian Health Center Disproportionate Share HospitalNon-Disproportionate Share Hospital Nursing HomeRural Health Clinic Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)Skilled Nursing Facility Public HospitalState or Local Public Health and/or Human Services Department Home Health AgencyHospice Program Eligible Critical Shortage Facilities Note* Please see the guidance for a description of these facilities

Critical Shortage Facilities.  NSP participants must provide full-time (or if approved, part time) clinical services in a CSF  Participants are expected to serve in a Tier 1 category within a CSF (see next slide)  NSP participants who have to relocate to accept a position in a different geographic area will not receive a relocation incentive or reimbursement  A HPSA score or designated status may change on the HPSA website A facility may be deemed a Tier 1 CSF at the time the NSP participant begins nursing school but may become a Tier 3 CSF by the time the participant completes nursing school If a facility has more than one designation with different scores, NSP will use the highest score

Critical Shortage Facilities. Critical Access Hospital; Disproportionate Share Hospital; Federally Qualified Health Center; Indian Health Service Health Center; Public Hospital; Native Hawaiian Health Center; Rural Health Clinic; Skilled Nursing Facility; State or Local Public Health or Human Services Department Primary Care or Mental Health HPSA Score 14 or above Tier 1 Primary Care or Mental Health HPSA Score between 10 – 13 Tier 2 Primary Care or Mental Health HPSA Score between 0 – 9 Tier 3 Ambulatory Surgical Center; Nursing Home; Home Health Agency; Hospice Program; Nonprofit, Non- Disproportionate Share Hospital Primary Care or Mental Health HPSA Score between 0-25 Tier 4

 Payment for Tuition and Eligible Fees  Payment for Other Reasonable Costs  A Monthly Stipend The Nurse Scholarship Program provides

 A program/contract year is considered July 1 – June 30  Tuition and required fees (for the degree indicated in the NSP Application) are paid directly to the nursing school that the awardee is attending  If attending a joint program (i.e., two institutions) tuition and fees will be paid directly to each institution  NSP does not pay tuition and fees for repeated coursework which has been previously covered by NSP funds  The school is required to submit an invoice directly to the NSP for payment of tuition and fees each academic term Tuition & Eligible Fees

 The NSP will pay for coursework related to the nursing degree  All NSP payments made to and on behalf of the participant for tuition and fees, are considered taxable. Participants will receive a Micellaneous Income Form detailing the amount of tuition and fee payments made on the students behalf per IRS guidelines  Tuition and fees are paid for required courses in summer school sessions when (1) summer school is an academic term normally required by the school for all students in the same program and (2) the summer session is in progress during the participant’s contract period  Transfers to other academic institutions are strongly discouraged and must receive prior approval Tuition & Required Fees cont’d

 There is a one-time ORC payment included in the first contract year payment. The amount will be determined based on information provided by your institution  ORC payment will be reduced proportionately for students who plan to attend less than a full school year  ORC payment is provided to assist in the payment of student expenses such as: Books Clinical Supplies/Instruments Uniforms Other Reasonable Costs

 Full-time students are paid a monthly stipend amount of $1, (before Federal taxes) for the school year State and local taxes are not withheld, and students receive a W-2- Wage and Tax Statement form noting cumulative stipend payments for the year  Stipends may be stopped if: A student is repeating coursework that has already been paid for by the NSP, Required documentation has not been received, or A full-time student become less than full-time (aside from the last academic term)  Stipend payments will stop the first month any of the following occur: Degree coursework is completed Graduation The NSP contract ends Stipends

Student Loans  Prior to learning of their award status, participants may have to take out a student loan to cover tuition and eligible fees for the Summer and/or Fall terms of their FIRST program/contract year  While the loan is ultimately the scholar’s responsibility, the institution should submit an itemized invoice to the NSP showing the amount of tuition & fees paid for with loans and other sources of funding  The NSP will remit payment to the institution up to the total tuition and eligible fees amount MINUS other sources of funding (i.e., grants, scholarships, gifts, personal loans)  It is then incumbent upon the institution and the student to determine how any remaining credit would be applied to the student’s account  The NSP will NOT remit payments greater than the sum of tuition & eligible fees

Student Loans-Example John Kamp was scheduled to begin nursing school at Americas University in August The tuition and fees for Fall 2012 were $15,000. Prior to learning his award status for the NSP Scholarship program John received two other forms of financial assistance - another scholarship for $1,500 and a Federal Pell Grant for $5,000. John’s tuition and fees were due prior to the date he was notified of his NSP scholarship award. In order to enroll as a full-time student, John had to pay his remaining balance in full so he elected to secure a student loan in the amount of $10,000. In September, after receiving the loan, paying his balance, and receiving a refund from the Financial Aid office, John is notified that he has been selected as an NSP Scholarship recipient and should have his school invoice the NSP program for the balance of his tuition and fees after deducting all outside scholarships/grants that were applied to his tuition. After sharing this information with his financial aid office, the university invoiced the NSP in the amount of $8,500 which covered the balance of his tuition and fees ($15,000) MINUS his scholarship and Pell grant ($6500) and the NSP remitted an electronic payment directly to John’s school for $8500. John contacted the NSP because he was under the impression that the NSP reimbursement would cover his total $10,000 loan since he used it to pay his tuition balance, and it was less than the amount of his full tuition and fees. He was informed that the NSP will reimburse universities for student tuition and eligible fees BALANCES following the deduction of any scholarships/grants/gifts. In this case, the additional $1500 funds secured through loans were solely John’s responsibility.

 Participants MUST maintain their enrollment status per their contract  Recipients are required to notify the NSP promptly, by phone and in writing for any changes in enrollment status (i.e., leave of absence, repeat coursework, etc.) Prompt notification of status change may prevent a participant from falling into default status  Recipients must be in good academic standing, as defined by the nursing program, for the duration of the academic year Program Requirements

For the 2012 – 2013 school year, the NSP is expected to be extremely competitive. The Program anticipates more applicants for scholarship awards than available funds. It is expected that approximately 350 awards will be made for the 2012 – 2013 school year. Expected Number of Awards

How to Apply Applicants should complete the online application consisting of the following: Online electronic NSP application Required Supporting Documentation Complete the Online Nursing Scholarship Program 2012 Application

 Essay Questions;  Proof of U.S. Citizenship or U.S. National; and Lawful Permanent Resident (e.g., copy of birth certificate, certificate of citizenship, passport, or naturalization certificate);  Copy of complete Student Aid Report (SAR);  Copy of all Transcript(s);  Verification of Acceptance/Good Standing Report;  Resume/Curriculum Vitae Required Supporting Documents

 Academic Official’s Evaluation Letter;  Non-Academic Evaluation Letter;  Authorization to Release Information;  Service Obligation Completion Letter/Uniformed Service Member Verification Letter (if applicable) Required Supporting Documents cont’d

 It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit the online application by the application deadline of 5pm EST May 8, 2012  Incomplete applications cannot be submitted for review  Online applications not submitted by the deadline will not be considered for funding  It is STRONGLY suggested that before you attempt to complete the online application, you: Review the Application Guidance in its entirety and; Verify and review all required supporting documents The Application Process

 The information collected online will be used to score your application, with respect to funding preferences  The information submitted in the online application should match all supporting documentation  Inaccurate information can result in your application receiving a low score, reducing your chances for funding The Application Process

Getting Started: The Online Application Process Assurance Eligibility General/Background Info Degree Info Resume /CV Essay Questions Supporting Documents Self-Certification Review & Submit  Register and Create an Account at then complete the following sections of the online application:

 Applicants will receive a receipt of submission notice once an application has been successfully submitted online  The application process occurs over a 3 – 4 month period. Status updates are not provided during this time  If an applicant is selected to receive an award, he or she will receive written notice via no later than August 31, Applicants not selected for an award will be notified no later than September 30, 2012  Applicants are urged to check their daily after applying to the NSP. You will have up to seven (7) business days to reply via indicating acceptance of the NSP award and submit any requested documents The Application Status

 Tuition and eligible fees are paid directly to the institution via electronic payment after an invoice is received by the NSP from the institution  No tuition payments will be made to an individual, or for non-invoiced items (i.e., personal loans from family members)  The institution is responsible for invoicing the NSP. If the NSP does not receive an invoice directly from the institution, no tuition payment will be sent. TUITION AND FEES WILL NOT BE PAID UNTIL THE SCHOOL SENDS AN INVOICE TO THE NSP  Monthly stipends and the one-time ORC payment are directly deposited into the recipient’s checking or savings account  The first direct deposit is made by early November and will include stipend payments retroactive to July 1 and the annual ORC payment Receiving an Award

Application Open PeriodMarch 27 – May 8, 2012 NSP Contract Year BeginsJuly 1, 2012 Award Notification By August 31, 2012 Acceptance Response DueUp to 7 business days from award notification date Applicant Denial NotificationSeptember 30, 2012 Key Dates

For Application Questions and Inquires:  Us:  Call Us: Toll Free: (TTY: ) 8:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M., E.T., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays  Web site: