[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8663-8666]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-3740]



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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Indian Health Service


Health Professions Preparatory, Pregraduate and Indian Health 
Scholarship (Professions) Programs

AGENCY: Indian Health Service, HHS.

ACTION: Standing Notice of Availability of Funds for Health Professions 
Preparatory, Pregraduate and Indian Health Scholarship (Professions) 
Programs for Fiscal Years (FYs) 1995 and 1996.

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SUMMARY: The Indian Health Service (IHS) announces the availability of 
approximately $3,578,200 to fund scholarships for the Health 
Professions Preparatory and Pregraduate Scholarship Programs for FY 
1995 awards. Pending the availability of funds, a similar amount is 
anticipated in FY 1996. 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 and by Pub. L. 102-573.
    The Indian Health Scholarship (Professions) Program, authorized by 
section 104 of the IHCIA, Pub. L. 94-437, as amended by Pub. L. 100-713 
and by Pub. L. 102-573, has approximately $8,160,751 available for FY 
1995 awards. Pending the availability of funds, a similar amount is 
anticipated in FY 1996.
    Scholarships under the three programs will be awarded utilizing the 
Notice of Grant Award, form PHS-5152-1 (Rev. 7/92). For academic years 
1995-1996 and 1996-1997, full-time and part-time scholarships will be 
funded for each of the three scholarship programs.
    The Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship Program is listed as 
No. 93-123 in the Office of Management and Budget Catalog of Federal 
Domestic Assistance (CFDA). The Health Professions Pregraduate 
Scholarship Program is listed as No. 93.971, and the Indian Health 
Scholarship (Professions) Program 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 
2000, 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 2000, (Full Report; Stock No. 017-001-00474-0) or 
Healthy People 2000 (Summary Report; Stock No. 017-001-00473-1) through 
the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402-9325 (Telephone 202-783-3238).

DATES: The application deadline is April 1, 1995 and 1996. If April 1 
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 IHS Scholarship Program application 
forms include: IHS-856, 856-2 through 856-8, 815, 816, 818 and, F-01 
through L-04 (approved under OMB No. 0917-0006, expires 12/31/97).

                                                                        
[[Page 8664]]                                                           
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IHS area office and States/locality                                     
               served                  Scholarship coordinator/address  
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Aberdeen Area IHS: Iowa, Nebraska,   Ms. Alice LaFontaine, Scholarship  
 North Dakota, South Dakota.          Coordinator, IHS Aberdeen Area,   
                                      Federal Building, 115 4th Avenue, 
                                      SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401, Tele: 605-
                                      226-7553.                         
Alaska Area Native Health Service:   Ms. Rose Jerue, Scholarship        
 Alaska.                              Coordinator, IHS Alaska Area, 250 
                                      Gambell Street, Anchorage, Alaska 
                                      99501, Tele: 907-257-1307.        
Albuquerque Area IHS: Colorado, New  Ms. Alvina Waseta, Scholarship     
 Mexico.                              Coordinator, IHS Albuquerque Area,
                                      505 Marquette, NW., Suite 1502,   
                                      Albuquerque, NM 87102, Tele: 505- 
                                      766-2143.                         
Bemidji Area IHS: Illinois,          Mr. Dennis O'Keefe, Scholarship    
 Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota,        Coordinator, IHS Bemidji Area, 203
 Wisconsin.                           Federal Building, Bemidji, MN     
                                      56601, Tele: 218-759-3377.        
Billings Area IHS: Montana, Wyoming  Mr. Sandy Macdonald, Scholarship   
                                      Coordinator, IHS Billings Area,   
                                      P.O. Box 2143, Billings, MT 59103-
                                      6601, Tele: 406-657-6909.         
California Area IHS: California,     Ms. Michelle Hadsell/Luana Hill,   
 Hawaii.                              Scholarship Coordinator, IHS      
                                      California Area, 1825 Bell Street--
                                      Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95825-  
                                      4202, Tele: 916-566-7001.         
Nashville Area IHS: Alabama,         Mr. Steven Holder, Scholarship     
 Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware,     Coordinator, IHS Nashville Area,  
 Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,          3310 Perimeter Hill Drive,        
 Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,          Nashville, TN 37211, Tele: 615-736-
 Massachusetts, Mississippi,          2431.                             
 District of Columbia, New                                              
 Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,                                       
 North Carolina, Ohio,                                                  
 Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South                                      
 Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont,                                          
 Virginia, West Virginia.                                               
Navajo Area IHS: Arizona, New        Ms. Rosalinda Allison, Scholarship 
 Mexico, Utah.                        Coordinator, IHS Navajo Area, P.O.
                                      Box 9020, Window Rock, AZ 86515-  
                                      9020, Tele: 602-871-1367.         
Oklahoma City Area IHS: Kansas,      Mr. Jim Ingram/Ms. Barbara Roy,    
 Missouri, Oklahoma.                  Scholarship Coordinator, IHS      
                                      Oklahoma City Area, 3625 N.W. 56th
                                      Street, Five Corporate Plaza,     
                                      Oklahoma City, OK 73211, Tele: 405-
                                      945-6939.                         
Phoenix Area IHS: Arizona, Nevada,   Mr. Eric LaRose, Scholarship       
 Utah.                                Coordinator, IHS Phoenix Area,    
                                      3738 N. 16th Street--Suite A,     
                                      Phoenix, AZ 85016-5981. Tele: 602-
                                      261-2066.                         
Portland Area IHS: Idaho, Oregon,    Ms. Darlene Marcellay, Scholarship 
 Washington.                          Coordinator, IHS Portland Area,   
                                      1220 SW 3rd Street, Rm 315,       
                                      Portland, OR 97204-2892, Tele: 503-
                                      326-2019.                         
Tucson Area IHS: Arizona, Texas....  Ms. Adeline Horst, Scholarship     
                                      Coordinator, IHS Tucson Area, 7900
                                      S.J. Stock Road, Tucson, AZ 85746,
                                      Tele: 602-295-2484.               
------------------------------------------------------------------------

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please address application inquiries 
to the appropriate Indian Health Service Area Scholarship Coordinator. 
Other programmatic inquiries may be addressed to Ms. Rosh Foley, Acting 
Chief, Scholarship Branch, Indian Health Service, Twinbrook Metro Plaza 
Building, Suite 100A, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, Maryland, 
20852; Telephone 301-443-6197. (This is not a toll free number.) For 
grants information, contact Ms. Patricia Lee-McCoy, Grants Scholarship 
Coordinator, Grants Management Branch, Division of Acquisition and 
Grants Operations, Indian Health Service, Suite 100, 12300 Twinbrook 
Parkway, Rockville, Maryland, 20852; Telephone 301-443-0243. (This is 
not a toll-free number.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Health Professions Preparatory and 
Pregraduate Scholarship Programs are authorized by section 103 of the 
IHCIA, Pub. L. 94-437, as amended by Pub. L. 96-537, Indian Health Care 
Amendments of 1980; Pub. L. 100-713, Indian Health Care Amendments of 
1988; and Pub. L. 102-573, Indian Health Care Amendments of 1992.
    The Indian Health Scholarship (Professions) Program, formerly 
authorized by section 338I of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
254r), is now authorized by section 104 of the IHCIA, as amended by the 
Indian Health Care Amendments of 1988, Pub. L. 100-713 and Pub. L. 102-
573, Indian Health Care Amendments of 1992.

A. General Program Purpose

    These scholarship programs are intended to encourage American 
Indians and Alaska Natives to enter the health professions and to 
assure the availability of Indian health professions 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 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 pursing a 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 of 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 [[Page 8665]] (43 U.S.C. 244m) which shall be met by service:
    (1) In Indian Health Service;
    (2) In a program conducted under a contract 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 Amendment of 1992 (Pub. L. 102-573), 
a recipient of an Indian Health Scholarship (Professions) 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:
    (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 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 in 
accordance with regulations and 42 CFR 36.320, incorporated in the 
application materials, for Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship 
Program for Indians and 42 CFR 36.370, incorporated in the application 
materials, for Health Professions Pregraduate Scholarship Program for 
Indians. Approximately 238 awards, 92 of which are continuing, will be 
made under the Health Professions Preparatory and Pregraduate 
Scholarship Programs for Indians in each fiscal year covered by this 
standing announcement. The awards are for 10 months in duration and the 
average award to a full-time student is approximately $15,000. In FY 
1995, approximately $1,380,000 is available for continuation awards and 
approximately $2,190,000 is available for new awards. Pending the 
availability of funds, a similar amount is anticipated to be available 
in FY 1996.
    Approximately 453 awards, 350 of which are continuing, will be made 
under the Indian Health Scholarship (Professions) program in each 
fiscal year covered by this announcement. 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 $18,000. In FY 1995, approximately $6,300,000 is 
available for continuation awards, and $1,860,751 is available for new 
awards. Pending availability of funds, a similar amount is anticipated 
for FY 1996.
    No more than 20% 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

    Applicants 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 judgment 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 content and how well it is written.
    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 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, Pub. L. 100-713, authorizes the IHS to 
determine specific health professions for which Indian Health 
Scholarships will be awarded. The lists 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 Scholarships. (Below is the list of 
disciplines to be supported and priority is based on academic level).
    A. Pre-Medical Technology.
    B. Pre-Dietetics.
    C. Pre-Nursing.
    D. Pre-Pharmacy.
    E. Pre-Physical Therapy.
    F. 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.
    C. Clinical Psychology: PH.D. only.
    D. Computer Science: B.S.
    E. Dentistry.
    F. Dietician: B.S.
    G. Engineering: B.S. Civil.
    H. Health Education: Masters level only.
    I. Health Records: A.R.T. and R.R.T.
    J. Medical Technology: B.S.
    K. Medical Social Work: Masters level only.
    L. Medicine: Allopathic and Osteopathic.
    M. Nurse Practitioner: R.N.A. and F.N.P.
    N. Nurse Midwife: C.N.M.
    O. B.S. Nurse.*
    P. M.S. Nurse.*

[[Page 8666]] *(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.)

    Q. Optometry.
    R. Para-Optometric.
    S. Pharmacy: B.S.
    T. Physician Assistant: B.S.
    U. Physical Therapy.
    V. Podiatry: D.P.M.
    W. 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 health).
    X. Public Health Nutrition: Masters level only.
    Y. Radiologic Technology: Associate and B.S.
    Z. Respiratory Therapy: Associate.
    AA. Sonography.

    Interested individuals are reminded that the list of eligible 
health and allied health professions is effective for the applicants 
for the 2 academic years covered by this standing announcement. These 
priorities will remain in effect until superseded.


    Dated: February 7, 1995.
Michael H. Trujillo,
Assistant Surgeon General, Director.
[FR Doc. 95-3740 Filed 2-14-95; 8:45 am]
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