[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 242 (Monday, December 17, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64982-64985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-30939]


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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) 2002.

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SUMMARY: The Indian Health Service (IHS) is publishing a Notice of 
Availability of Funds for Health Professions Preparatory, Pregraduate, 
and Indian Health Professions Scholarship Programs for Fiscal Year (FY) 
2002.
    The IHS announces the availability of approximately $3,750,800 to 
fund scholarships for the Health Professions Preparatory and 
Pregraduate Scholarship Programs for FY 2002 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 $8,215,500 
available for FY 2002 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 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).

DATES: The application deadline for both new and continuing applicants 
is April 1, 2002. If April 1 falls on the weekend, 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).

IHS Area Office and States/Locality Served; Scholarship 
Coordinator/Address:

Aberdeen Area IHS

Iowa
Nebraska
North Dakota
South Dakota
    Ms. Lila Topalian, Scholarship Coordinator, Aberdeen Area IHS, 
Federal Building, Room 309, 115 4th Avenue, SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401, 
Tele: 605-226-7553

Alaska Area Native Health Service

Alaska
    Ms. Rea Bavilla, Scholarship Coordinator, Alaska Area IHS, 4141 
Ambassador Drive, Rm. 349, Anchorage, Alaska 99508, Tele: 907-729-1332

Albuquerque Area IHS

Colorado
New Mexico
    Ms. Alvina Waseta, Scholarship

[[Page 64983]]

Coordinator, Albuquerque Area IHS, 5300 Homestead Road, NE, 
Albuquerque, NM 87110, Tele: 505-248-4513

Bemidji Area IHS

Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Minnesota
Wisconsin
    Mr. Tony Buckanaga, Scholarship Coordinator, Bemidji Area IHS, 522 
Minnesota Avenue, NW, 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, 3rd Floor, Sacramento, CA 95814, Tele: 916-930-3981

Nashville Area IHS

Alabama
Arkansas
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Mississippi
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Tennessee
Vermont
Virginia
West Virginia
District of Columbia
    Ms. Alvina Waseta, Scholarship Coordinator, Nashville Area IHS, 
5300 Homestead Road, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, Tele: 505-248-4513

Navajo Area IHS

Arizona
New Mexico
Utah
    Ms. Roselinda Allison, Scholarship Coordinator, Navajo Area IHS, 
P.O. Box 9020, Window Rock, AZ 86515, Tele: 520-871-1358

Oklahoma City Area IHS

Kansas
Missouri
Oklahoma
    Mr. Jim Ingram, Scholarship Coordinator, Oklahoma City Area IHS, 
Five Corporate Plaza, 3625 NW., 56th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73112, 
Tele: 580-276-4801

Phoenix Area IHS

Arizona
Nevada
Utah
    Lena Fasthorse, 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
Washington
    Ms. Darlene Marcellay-Hyland, Scholarship Coordinator, Portland 
Area IHS, 1220 SW Third Avenue, Rm. 440, Portland, OR 97204-2892, Tele: 
503-326-2015

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. Darrell Pratt, 
Team Leader, Health Professions Support, 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. Al Whiteman, Grants Management Officer, Grants Management 
Branch, Division of Acquisition and Grants Operations, Indian Health 
Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland, 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 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 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

[[Page 64984]]

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 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, 
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 in duration and the average award to a full-
time student is approximately $18,000. In FY 2002, approximately 
$1,500,000 is available for continuation awards and approximately 
$2,250,000 is available for new awards.
    Approximately 393 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 $23,000. In FY 2002, approximately $3,410,000 is 
available for continuation awards, and $4,485,000 is available for new 
awards.
    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 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 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 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.
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.
C. Civil Engineering: B.S.
D. Clinical Psychology: Ph.D. only
E. Coding Specialist: Certificate
F. Counseling Psychology: Ph.D. only
G. Dental Hygiene: B.S.
H. Dentistry: B.S, and M.S.
I. Dietitian: B.S.
J. Environmental Engineering: B.S.
K. Health Care Administration: B.S. and M.S.
L. Health Education: Masters level only.
M. Health Records: R.H.I.T and R.H.I.A.
N. Injury Prevention Specialist
O. Medical Social Work: Masters level only.
P. Medical Technology: B.S.
Q. Medicine: Allopathic and Osteopathic.
R. Nurse: B.S.*
S. Nurse: M.S.*
T. 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.)
U. Optometry.
V. Para-Optometric.
W. Pharmacy: B.S., Pharm D.
X. Physician Assistant.
Y. Physical Therapy.
Z. Podiatry: D.P.M.
AA. 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).

[[Page 64985]]

BB. Public Health Nutrition: Masters level only.
CC. Radiologic Technology: Certificate, Associate, and B.S.
DD. Respiratory Therapy: Associate.
EE. X-Ray/Ultrasonography.

    Interested individuals are reminded that the list of eligible 
health and allied health professions is effective for applicants for 
the 2002-2003 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: December 7, 2001.
Michael H. Trujillo,
Assistant Surgeon General, Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 01-30939 Filed 12-14-01; 8:45 am]
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