[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 205 (Thursday, October 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60704-60707]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26698]


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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) 2004.

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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