[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5443-5446]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2817]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Professions Preparatory, Pregraduate and Indian Health 
Professions Scholarship Programs

AGENCY: Indian Health Service, HHS.

ACTION: Standing Notice of Availability of Funds for Health Professions

[[Page 5444]]

Preparatory, Pregraduate and Indian Health Professions Scholarship 
Programs for Fiscal Years (FY) 1997, 1998, and 1999.

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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 
1997 awards. Similar amounts are anticipated to be available in FY 1998 
and FY 1999. 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), 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 $7,475,645 available for FY 1997 
awards. Similar amounts are anticipated to be available in FY 1998 and 
FY 1999.
    Scholarships under the three programs will be awarded utilizing the 
Notice of Grant Award, form PHS-5152-1 (Rev. 7/92). For academic year 
1997-1998, 1998-1999, and 1999-2000, 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 Indian 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 
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, DC 20402-9325 (Telephone 202-783-3238).

DATES: The application deadline is April 1 of each year. 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 application form number is 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).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
    IHS area office and states/                                         
          locality served              Scholarship coordinator/address  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Area IHS: Iowa, Nebraska,  Ms. Connie Maine, 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,     Ms. Alvina Waseta, Scholarship      
 New Mexico.                         Coordinator, IHS Albuquerque Area, 
                                     505 Marquette, NW., Suite 1502,    
                                     Albuquerque, NM 87102, Tele: 505-  
                                     248-5405.                          
Bemidji Area IHS: Illinois,         Ms. Barbara Fairbanks, Scholarship  
 Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota,       Coordinator, IHS Bemidji Area, 214 
 Wisconsin.                          Federal Building, Bemidji, MN      
                                     56601, Tele: 218-759-3415.         
Billings Area IHS: Montana,         Mr. Sandy Macdonald, Scholarship    
 Wyoming.                            Coordinator, IHS Billings Area,    
                                     P.O. Box 2143, 2900 4th Avenue,    
                                     North, Billings, MT 59103-6601,    
                                     Tele: 406-247-7210.                
California Area IHS: California,    Ms. Gail M. Taylor, Scholarship     
 Hawaii.                             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,         711 Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville,
 Louisiana, Maine, Maryland,         TN 37214-2634, Tele: 615-736-2431. 
 Massachusetts, Mississippi,                                            
 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,   
                                     Tele: 520-871-1358.                
Oklahoma City Area IHS: Kansas,     Ms. Barbara Roy, Scholarship        
 Missouri, Oklahoma.                 Coordinator, IHS Oklahoma City     
                                     Area, 3625 NW., 56th Street, Five  
                                     Corporate Plaza, Oklahoma City, OK 
                                     73102-3477, Tele: 405-951-3939.    
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: 602-640-2066. 
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-
                                     326-2-2019.                        
Tucson Area IHS: Arizona, Texas...  Mr. Cecil Escalante, Scholarship    
                                     Coordinator, IHS Tucson Area, 7900 
                                     S.J. Stock Road, Tucson, AZ 85746, 
                                     Tele: 520-295-2478.                
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. Patricia Lee-
McCoy, Chief, Scholarship Branch, Indian Health Service, Twinbrook 
Metro Plaza, Suite 100, 12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, Maryland, 
20852; Telephone 301-443-6197. (This is not a toll free number.) For 
grants information, contact Ms. Margaret Griffiths, Acting Grants 
Scholarship Coordinator, Grants Management Branch, Division of 
Acquisition and Grants Operations, Indian Health Service, Room 100, 
12300 Twinbrook Parkway, Rockville, Maryland, 20852; Telephone 301-443-
0243. (This is not a toll-free number.)


[[Page 5445]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Health Professions Preparatory and 
Pregraduate Scholarship Grant 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 Professions Scholarship Grant Program, formerly 
authorized by section 338I of 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, Pub. L. 102-
573, Indian Health Care Amendments of 1992.

A. General Program Purpose

    These grant 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 by 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 pursuing 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 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 the 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:
    (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 
(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 at 42 CFR Part 36.320, incorporated in the 
application materials, for the Health Professions Preparatory 
Scholarship Program for Indians and 42 CFR Part 36.370, incorporated in 
the application materials, for the Health Professions Pregraduate 
Scholarship Program for Indians. Approximately 238 awards, 100 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 1997, approximately $1,500,000 is available for 
continuation awards and approximately $2,078,200 is available for new 
awards. Pending the availability of funds, similar amounts are 
anticipated to be available in FY 1998 and FY 1999.
    Approximately 393 awards, 179 of which are continuing, will be made 
under the Indian Health Scholarship (Professions) Program in each of 
the fiscal years 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 $19,000. In FY 1997, approximately $3,401,000 is 
available for continuation awards, and $4,074,645 is available for new 
awards. Pending availability of funds, a similar amount is anticipated 
for FY 1998 and FY 1999.
    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

    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 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

[[Page 5446]]

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 the 
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 Scholarship 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 list of priority health professions 
that follow, by scholarship program, are 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-Accounting.
    B. Pre-Dietetics.
    C. Pre-Medical Technology.
    D. Pre-Nursing.
    E. Pre-Pharmacy.
    F. Pre-Physical Therapy.
    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. Accounting.
    B. Associate Degree Nurse.
    C. Chemical Dependency Counseling.
    D. Counseling Psychology: Ph.D. only.
    E. Computer Science: B.S.
    F. Dentistry.
    G. Dietician: B.S.
    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. Nurse: B.S.*
    P. Nurse: M.S.*

    (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: Certificate, 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 three academic years covered by this standing announcement. 
These priorities will remain in effect until superseded.

    Dated: January 29, 1997.
Michael H. Trujillo,
Assistant Surgeon General, Director.
[FR Doc. 97-2817 Filed 2-4-97; 8:45 am]
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