[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 31 (Tuesday, February 15, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8743-8748]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-3291]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Indian Health Service


Indian Health Professions Preparatory, Indian Health Professions 
Pre-Graduate and Indian Health Professions Scholarship Programs

    Announcement Type: Initial.

[[Page 8744]]

    CFDA Numbers: 93.971, 93.123, and 93.972.

DATES: Key Dates:
    Application Deadline: February 28, 2011, for Continuing students.
    Application Deadline: March 28, 2011, for New students.
    Application Review: May 2-6, 2011.
    Award Notification: First week of June, 2011, for Continuing 
students Award.
    Notification: First week of July, 2011, for New students.
    Award Start Date: August 1, 2011.

I. Funding Opportunity Description

    The Indian Health Service (IHS) is committed to encouraging 
American Indians and Alaska Natives to enter the health professions and 
to assuring the availability of Indian health professionals to service 
Indians. The IHS is committed to the recruitment of students for the 
following programs:
     The Indian Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship 
authorized by section 103 of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act 
(IHCIA), Public Law 94-437 (1976).
     The Indian Health Professions Pre-graduate Scholarship 
authorized by section 103 of the IHCIA, Public Law 94-437 (1976).
     The Indian Health Professions Scholarship authorized by 
section 104 of the IHCIA, Public Law 94-437 (1976).
    Full-time and part-time scholarships may be funded for each of the 
three scholarship programs.

II. Award Information

    Awards under this initiative will be administered using the grant 
mechanism of the IHS.
    Estimated Funds Available: An estimated $14.0 million will be 
available for FY 2011 awards. The IHS program anticipates, but cannot 
guarantee, due to possible funding changes, student scholarship 
selections from any or all of the following disciplines in the 103, 
103P and 104 Programs for the Scholarship Period 2011-2012. Due to the 
rising cost of education and the decreasing number of scholars who can 
be funded by the IHS Scholarship Program (IHSSP), the IHSSP has changed 
the funding policy for Preparatory and Pre-graduate scholarship awards 
and reallocated a greater percentage of its funding in an effort to 
increase the number of Health Professions scholarship, and inherently 
the number of service obligated scholars, to better meet the health 
care provider needs of the IHS and its Tribal and Urban Indian health 
care system partners.
    Anticipated Number of Awards: Approximately 50 awards will be made 
under the Health Professions Preparatory and Pre-graduate Scholarship 
Programs for Indians. The awards are for tuition and fees only and the 
average award to a full-time student is approximately $10,191.76. An 
estimated 241 awards will be made under the Indian Health Professions 
Scholarship Program. The awards are for 12 months in duration, and will 
cover both tuition and fees and Other Related Costs (ORC). The average 
award to a full-time student is approximately $49,642.81. In FY 2011, 
an estimated $9,000,000 is available for continuation awards, and an 
estimated $4,000,000 is available for new awards.
    Project Period--The project period for the IHS Health Professions 
Preparatory Scholarship support, tuition and fees only, is limited to 
two years for full-time students and the part-time equivalent of two 
years, not to exceed four years for part-time students. The project 
period for the IHS Health Professions Pre-graduate Scholarship support, 
tuition and fees only, is limited to four years for full-time students 
and the part-time equivalent of four years, not to exceed eight years 
for part-time students. The IHS Health Professions Scholarship support, 
tuition, fees and Other Related Costs (ORC) is limited to four years 
for full-time students and the part-time equivalent of four years, not 
to exceed eight years for part-time students.

III. Eligibility Information

    This announcement is a limited competition for awards made to 
American Indians (Federally recognized Tribal members, state recognized 
Tribal members, and first and second degree descendants of Federal or 
state recognized Tribal members), or Alaska Natives only. Continuation 
awards are non-competitive.

1. Eligible Applicants

    The IHS Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship awards are made 
to American Indians (Federally recognized Tribal members, first and 
second degree descendants of Tribal members, and state recognized 
Tribal members, first and second degree descendants of Tribal members), 
or Alaska Natives who:
     Have successfully completed high school education or high 
school equivalency; and
     Have been accepted for enrollment in a compensatory, pre-
professional general education course or curriculum; and

The IHS Health Professions Pre-graduate Scholarship awards are made to 
American Indians (Federally recognized Tribal members, first and second 
degree descendants of Tribal members, and state recognized Tribal 
members, first and second degree descendants of Tribal members), or 
Alaska Natives who:
     Have successfully completed high school education or high 
school equivalency; and
     Have been accepted for enrollment or are enrolled in an 
accredited pre-graduate program leading to a baccalaureate degree in 
pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-podiatry or pre-optometry.

    The IHS Indian Health Professions Scholarship may be awarded only 
to an individual who is a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe 
or Alaska Native as provided by section 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 Professions 
Scholarship, 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(10) of the IHCIA.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

    The Scholarship Program does not require matching funds or cost 
sharing to participate in the competitive grant process.

3. Benefits From State, Local and Other Federal Sources

    Awardees of the Health Professions Preparatory or Health 
Professions Pre-graduate scholarship may accept outside funding from 
other scholarship, grant, fee waiver and student loan programs to 
assist with their education and other related expenses. Awardees of the 
Health Professions scholarship, who accept outside funding from other 
scholarship, grant and fee waiver programs, will have these monies 
applied to their student account at the college or university they are 
attending, before the IHS Scholarship Program will pay any of the 
remaining balance. These outside funding sources must be reported on 
the student's invoicing documents submitted by the college or 
university they are attending. Student loans accepted by Health 
Professions scholarship recipients will have no effect on the IHS 
Scholarship program payment made to their college or university.

[[Page 8745]]

IV. Application Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    New applicants are responsible for contacting and requesting an 
application packet from their IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator. They 
are listed on the IHS Web site at http://www.scholarship.ihs.gov/area_coordinators.cfm. This information is listed below. Please review the 
following list to identify the appropriate IHS Area Scholarship 
Coordinator for your State. Application packets may be obtained by 
calling or writing to the following individuals listed below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 IHS Area office and states/
       locality served              Scholarship coordinator address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Area IHS: Iowa,       Ms. Kim Annis, IHS Area Scholarship
 Nebraska, North Dakota,        Coordinator, Aberdeen Area IHS, 115 4th
 South Dakota.                  Avenue, SE, Aberdeen, SD 57401, Tele:
                                (605) 226-7466.
Alaska Native Tribal Health    Ms. Angelique Anderson, Alternate: Ms.
 Consortium: Alaska.            Courtney Bridges, IHS Area Scholarship
                                Coordinator, 4000 Ambassador Drive,
                                Anchorage, AK 99508, Tele: (907) 729-
                                1913, 1-800-684-8361 (toll free).
Albuquerque Area IHS:          Ms. Cora Boone, IHS Area Scholarship
 Colorado, New Mexico.          Coordinator, Albuquerque Area IHS, 5300
                                Homestead Road, NE, Albuquerque, NM
                                87110, Tele: (505) 248-4418, 1-800-382-
                                3027 (toll free).
Bemidji Area IHS: Illinois,    Mr. Tony Buckanaga, IHS Area Scholarship
 Indiana, Michigan,             Coordinator, Bemidji Area IHS, 522
 Minnesota, Wisconsin.          Minnesota Avenue, NW, Room 209, Bemidji,
                                MN 56601, Tele: (218) 444-0486, 1-800-
                                892-3079 (toll free).
Billings Area IHS: Montana,    Mr. Delon Rock Above, Alternate: Ms.
 Wyoming.                       Bernice Hugs, IHS Area Scholarship
                                Coordinator, Billings Area IHS, Area
                                Personnel Office, P.O. Box 36600, 2900
                                4th Avenue, North, Suite 400, Billings,
                                MT 59103, Tele: (406) 247-7215.
California Area IHS:           Ms. Mona Celli, IHS Area Scholarship
 California, Hawaii.            Coordinator, California Area IHS, 650
                                Capitol Mall, Suite 7-100, Sacramento,
                                CA 95814, Tele: (916) 930-3981, ext.
                                311.
Nashville Area IHS: Alabama,   Ms. Gina Blackfox, IHS Area Scholarship
 Arkansas, Connecticut,         Coordinator, Nashville Area IHS, 711
 Delaware, Florida, Georgia,    Stewarts Ferry Pike, Nashville, TN
 Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine,    37214, Tele: (615) 467-1575.
 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.
Navajo Area IHS: Arizona, New  Ms. Aletha John, IHS Area Scholarship
 Mexico, Utah.                  Coordinator, Navajo Area IHS, P.O. Box
                                9020, Window Rock, AZ 86515, Tele: (928)
                                871-1360.
Oklahoma City Area IHS:        Ms. Larissa Walker, IHS Area Scholarship
 Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma.    Coordinator, Oklahoma City Area IHS, 701
                                Market Drive, Oklahoma City, OK 73114,
                                Tele: (405) 951-3970, 1-800-722-3357
                                (toll free).
Phoenix Area IHS: Arizona,     Melissa Ragels, IHS Area Scholarship
 Nevada, Utah.                  Coordinator, Phoenix Area IHS, 1616
                                Indian School Road, 360E,
                                Phoenix, AZ 85016, Tele: (602) 248-1480.
Portland Area IHS: Idaho,      Ms. Laurie Veitenheimer, IHS Area
 Oregon, Washington.            Scholarship Coordinator, 1414 NW
                                Northrup Street, Suite 800, Portland, OR
                                97209, Tele: (503) 326-6983.
Tucson Area IHS: Arizona,      Melissa Ragels (See Phoenix Area).
 Texas.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Content and Form Submission

    Each applicant will be responsible for submitting a completed 
application (Forms IHS-856-1 through 856-8) and one copy to their IHS 
Area Scholarship Coordinator. Electronic applications are being 
accepted for this cycle. Go to http://www.scholarship.ihs.gov for more 
information on how to apply electronically. The on-line portal will be 
open on December 22, 2010. The application will be considered complete 
if the following documents (original and one copy) are included:
     Completed and signed application Checklist.
     Original, signed, complete application form IHS-856 (for 
continuation students-Data Sheet in place of IHS-856).
     Current Letter of Acceptance from College/University or 
Proof of Application to a College/University or Health Professions 
Program.
     Official transcripts for all colleges/universities 
attended (or high school transcripts or Certificate of Completion of 
Home School Program for applicants who have not taken college courses).
     Cumulative GPA: Applicant's calculations.
     Applicant's Documents for Indian Eligibility.
    A. If you are a member of a Federally recognized Tribe or Alaska 
Native (recognized by the Secretary of the Interior), provide evidence 
of membership such as:
    (1) Certification of Tribal enrollment by the Secretary of the 
Interior, acting through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA 
Certification: Form 4432-Category A or D, whichever is applicable); or
    (2) In the absence of BIA certification, documentation that you 
meet requirements of Tribal membership as prescribed by the charter, 
articles of incorporation or other legal instrument of the Tribe and 
have been officially designated as a Tribal member as evidenced by an 
accompanying document signed by an authorized Tribal official, or
    (3) Other evidence of Tribal membership satisfactory to the 
Secretary of the Interior.
    B. If you are a member of a Tribe terminated since 1940 or a State 
recognized Tribe and first or second degree descendant, provide 
official documentation that you meet the requirements of Tribal 
membership as prescribed by the charter, articles of incorporation or 
other legal instrument of the Tribe and have been officially designated 
as a Tribal member as evidenced by an accompanying document signed by 
an authorized Tribal official; or other evidence, satisfactory to the 
Secretary of the Interior, that you are a member of the Tribe. In 
addition, if the terminated or state recognized Tribe of which you are 
a member is not on a list of such Tribes published by the Secretary of 
the Interior in the Federal Register, you must submit an official 
signed document that the Tribe has been terminated since 1940 or is 
recognized by the state in which the Tribe is

[[Page 8746]]

located in accordance with the law of that state.
    C. If you are not a Tribal member but are a natural child or 
grandchild of a Tribal member you must submit: (1) evidence of that 
fact, e.g., your birth certificate and your parent's/grandparent's 
birth/death certificate showing the name of the Tribal member; and (2) 
evidence of your parent's or grandparent's Tribal membership in 
accordance with paragraphs A and B. The relationship to the Tribal 
member must be clearly documented. Failure to submit the required 
documentation will result in the application not being accepted for 
review.

    Note:  If you meet the criteria of B or C you are eligible only 
for the Preparatory or Pre-graduate Scholarships.

     Two Faculty/Employer Evaluations with original signature.
     Reasons for Requesting the Scholarship.
     Delinquent Debt Form.
     2011 W-4 Form with original signature.
     Course Curriculum Verification with original signature.
     Acknowledgement Card (if submitting a hard copy 
application).
     Curriculum for Major.

3. Submission Dates and Times

    Application Receipt Date: The application deadline for New 
applicants is Monday, March 28, 2011.
    Applications (original and one copy) shall be considered as meeting 
the deadline if they are received by the appropriate IHS Area 
Scholarship Coordinator, 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 will not be acceptable as 
proof of timely mailing and will not be considered for funding. Once 
the application is received, the applicant will receive an 
``Acknowledgement of Receipt of Application'' (IHS-815) card that is 
included in the application packet, if submitting a hard copy 
application. Applications received, with postmarks after the announced 
deadline date, will be returned to the applicant and will not be 
considered for funding.

4. Intergovernmental Review

    Executive Order 12372 requiring intergovernmental review is not 
applicable to this program.

5. Funding Restrictions

    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 six 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. Both 
part-time and full-time scholarship awards will be made in accordance 
with 42 CFR 136.320, 136.330 and 136.370 and this information will be 
published in all IHSSP Applications and Student Handbooks as they 
pertain to the Indian Health Service Scholarship Program.
Other Submissions Requirements
    New applicants are responsible for using the online application or 
contacting and requesting an application packet from their IHS Area 
Scholarship Coordinator. Continuation students are also encouraged to 
use the online application process; however, the Division of Grant 
Operations will also mail continuation students an application packet. 
If you do not receive this information please contact your IHS Area 
Scholarship Coordinator to request a continuation application.
    Continuing students must submit a complete application (original 
plus one copy) and meet the deadline of Monday, February 28, 2011; 
there will be no exceptions.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and scored with the following 
criteria.
     Needs of the IHS (health personnel needs in Indian 
Country) (30 points)
    Applicants are considered for scholarship awards based on their 
desired career goals and how these goals relate to current Indian 
health personnel needs. Applications for each health career category 
are reviewed and ranked separately.
     Academic Performance (40 points)
    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 for award.
     Faculty/Employer Recommendations (30 points)
    Applicants are rated according to evaluations by faculty members, 
current and/or former employers and Tribal officials regarding the 
applicant's potential in the chosen health related professions.
     Stated Reasons for Asking for the Scholarship and Stated 
Career Goals (30 points)
    Applicants must provide a brief written explanation of reasons for 
asking for the scholarship and of their career goals. The applicant's 
narrative will be judged on how well it is written and its content.
     Applicants who are closest to graduation or completion of 
training are awarded first. For example, senior and junior applicants 
under the Health Professions Pre-graduate Scholarship receives funding 
before freshmen and sophomores.
     Priority Categories
    The following is a list of health professions that will be 
considered for funding in each scholarship program in FY 2011.
     Indian Health Professions Preparatory Scholarships
    A. Pre-Clinical Psychology (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years).
    B. Pre-Nursing.
    C. Pre-Pharmacy.
    D. Pre-Social Work (Jr. and Sr. preparing for an MS in social 
work).
     Indian Health Professions Pre-graduate Scholarships
    A. Pre-Dentistry.
    B. Pre-Medicine.
    C. Pre-Podiatry.
     Indian Health Professions Scholarship
    A. Bio Medical Engineering--BS.
    B. Bio Medical Technology--AAS.
    C. Chemical Dependency Counseling--Bachelor's and Master's Degrees.
    D. Clinical Psychology--PhD or PsyD.
    E. Dentistry--DDS or DMD degrees.
    F. Diagnostic Radiology Technology: Associates and B.S.
    G. Public Health Nutritionist: M.S.
    H. Environmental Health/Sanitarian: B.S.
    I. Health Records Administration: R.H.I.T. and R.H.I.A.
    J. Medical Technology: B.S.
    K. Medicine: Allopathic and Osteopathic.
    L. Nurse: Associate and Bachelor Degrees and Advanced Degrees in 
Psychiatry, Geriatrics, Women's Health, Pediatrics, Nurse Anesthetist, 
and Nurse Practitioner.
    (Priority consideration will be given to Registered Nurses employed 
by the IHS; in a program conducted under a contract or compact entered 
into under the Indian Self-Determination Act and Education Assistance 
Act (Pub. L. 93-638) and its amendments; or in a program assisted under 
Title V of the IHCIA).

[[Page 8747]]

    M. Occupational Therapy: B.S. or Masters.
    N. Pharmacy: Pharm.D.
    O. Physician Assistant: PA-C.
    P. Physical Therapy: M.S. and D.P.T.
    Q. Podiatry: D.P.M.
    R. Respiratory Therapy: BS Degree.
    S. Social Work: Masters Level only (Direct Practice and Clinical 
concentrations).
    T. Ultrasonography (Prerequisite: Diagnostic Radiology Technology).

2. Review and Selection Process

    The applications will be reviewed and scored by the IHS Scholarship 
Program's Application Review Committee appointed by the IHS. Each 
reviewer will not be allowed to review an application from his/her area 
or his/her own Tribe. Each application will be reviewed by three 
reviewers. The average score of the three reviews provide the final 
Ranking Score for each applicant. To determine the ranking of each 
applicant, these scores are sorted from the highest to the lowest 
within each scholarship, health discipline, date of graduation, and 
score. If several students have the same date of graduation and score 
within the same discipline, computer ranking list will randomly sort 
and will not be sorted by alphabetical name. Selections are then made 
from the top of each ranking list to the extent that funds allocated by 
the IHS among the three scholarships are available for obligation.

VI. Award Administration Information

1. Award Notices

    It is anticipated that continuing applicants will be notified in 
writing during the first week of June and new applicants will be 
notified in writing during the first week of July 2011. An Award Letter 
will be issued to successful applicants. Unsuccessful applicants will 
be notified in writing, which will include a brief explanation of the 
reason(s) the application was not successful and provide the name of 
the IHS official to contact if more information is desired.

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements

    Regulations at 42 CFR 136.304 provide that the IHS shall, from time 
to time, publish a list of health professions eligible for 
consideration for the award of IHS Health Professions Preparatory and 
Pre-graduate Scholarships and IHS Health Professions Scholarship. 
Section 104(b)(1) of the IHCIA, as amended by the Indian Health Care 
Amendment of 1988, Public Law 100-713, authorizes the IHS to determine 
specific health professions for which Indian Health Scholarships will 
be awarded.
    Awards for the Indian Health Professions Scholarships will be made 
in accordance with 42 CFR 136.330.
    Awardees shall incur a service obligation prescribed under section 
338A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 2541) which shall be 
met by service, through clinical practice:
    (1) In the IHS;
    (2) In a program conducted under a contract or compact entered into 
under the Indian Self-Determination Act and Education Assistance Act 
(Pub. L. 93-638) and its amendments;
    (3) In a program assisted under Title V of the Indian Health Care 
Improvement Act (Pub. L. 94-437) and its amendments; or
    (4) In a private practice option of his or her profession 
(physicians, dentists, and clinical psychologists, only) if the 
practice (a) is situated in a health professional shortage area, 
designated in regulations promulgated by the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services (Secretary) and (b) addresses the health care needs of a 
substantial number (51%) of Indians as determined by the Secretary in 
accordance with guidelines of the Service.
    Pursuant to the Indian Health Amendments of 1992, (Pub. L. 102-
573), an awardee of an IHS Health Professions Scholarship may, at the 
election of the awardee, may meet his/her service obligation prescribed 
under section 338A of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 2541) by 
a program specified in options (1)-(4) above that:
    (i) Is located on the reservation of the Tribe in which the awardee 
is enrolled; or
    (ii) Serves the Tribe in which the awardee is enrolled, if there is 
an open vacancy available in the discipline for which the awardee was 
funded under the IHS Health Professions Scholarship during the 
required, 90-day placement period.
     In summary, all awardees of the IHS Health Professions 
Scholarship are reminded that acceptance of this scholarship will 
result in a service obligation required by both statute and contract 
which must be preformed at an approved service payback facility. 
Moreover, the Director, IHS, has the authority to make the final 
determination, designating a facility, whether managed and operated by 
IHS, or one of its Tribal or Urban Indian partners, consistent with 
IHCIA, Public Law 94-437, as amended by Public Law 100-713, Public Law 
102-573, and Public Law 111-148 Sec.  10221 (2010), as approved for 
scholar obligated service payback.
3. Reporting
Scholarship Program Minimum Academic Requirements
    It is the policy of the IHS that a scholarship awardee funded under 
the Health Professions Scholarship Program of the Indian Health Care 
Improvement Act must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point 
average (GPA), remain in good academic standing each semester/
trimester/quarter, maintain full-time student status (minimum number 
credit hours, based upon what is considered ``full-time'' by the 
applicant's school). In addition to these requirements, a Health 
Professions Scholarship program awardee must be enrolled in an 
approved/accredited school for a Health Professions degree. An awardee 
of a scholarship under the IHS Health Professions Pre-Graduate and 
Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship authority must maintain a 
minimum 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA), remain in good 
academic standing each semester/trimester/quarter and be a full time 
student (minimum of 12 credit hours or the number of credit hours 
considered by your school as full-time). Part-time students for the 
three scholarship programs must also maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA and 
must take at least six credit hours (undergraduate) or 6 credit hours 
(post-graduate) each semester/trimester/quarter, but less than the 
number of hours considered full-time by your school. Scholarship 
awardees must be approved for part-time status at the time of 
scholarship award. Scholarship awardees may not change from part-time 
status to full-time status or vice versa in the same academic year.
    The following reports must be sent to the IHS Scholarship Program 
at the identified time frame. Each scholarship awardee will be provided 
with an IHS Scholarship Program Student Handbook where the needed forms 
are located. If a scholarship awardee fails to submit these reports as 
required, they will be ineligible for continuation of scholarship 
support and scholarship award payments will be discontinued.
    A. Recipient's Enrollment and Initial Progress Report
    Within thirty (30) days from the beginning of each semester/
trimester/quarter, scholarship awardees must submit a Recipient's 
Enrollment and Initial Progress Report (Form IHS-856-10, page 63 of the 
Student Handbook).
    B. Transcripts
    Within thirty (30) days from the end of each academic period, i.e., 
semester/

[[Page 8748]]

trimester/quarter, or summer session, scholarship awardees must submit 
an Official Transcript showing the results of the classes taken during 
that period.
    C. Notification of Academic Problem/Change
    If at any time during the semester/trimester/quarter, scholarship 
awardees are advised to reduce the number of credit hours for which 
they are enrolled, below the minimum of the 12 (or the number of hours 
considered by their school as full-time) for a full-time student or at 
least six hours for part-time students; or if they experience academic 
problems, they must submit this report (Form IHS-856-11, page 65 of the 
Student Handbook).
    D. Change of Status
     Change of Academic Status
    Scholarship awardees must immediately notify the IHS Area 
Scholarship Coordinator and their Scholarship Program Analyst if they 
are placed on academic probation, dismissed from school, or voluntarily 
withdraw for any reason (personal or medical).
     Change of Health Discipline
    Scholarship awardees may not change from the approved IHS 
Scholarship Program health discipline during the school year. If an 
unapproved change is made, scholarship payments will be discontinued.
     Change in Graduation Date
    Any time that a change occurs in a scholarship awardee's expected 
graduation date, they must notify their IHS Area Scholarship 
Coordinator and their Scholarship Program Analyst immediately, in 
writing. Justification must be attached from the school advisor.

VII. Agency Contacts

    Please address application inquiries to the appropriate IHS Area 
Scholarship Coordinator. Other programmatic inquiries may be addressed 
to Dr. Dawn Kelly, Chief, Scholarship Program, 801 Thompson Avenue, 
Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland 20852; Telephone (301) 443-6622. (This 
is not a toll-free number.) For grants information, contact the Grants 
Scholarship Coordinator, Division of Grants Management, Indian Health 
Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, Suite 120, Rockville, Maryland 20852; 
Telephone (301) 443-0243. (This is not a toll-free number.)

VIII. Other Information

    The Public Health Service (PHS) is committed to achieving the 
health promotion and disease prevention objectives of Healthy People 
2020, 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 download a copy of 
Healthy People 2020, at http://www.healthypeople.gov.
    Interested individuals are reminded that the list of eligible 
health and allied professions is effective for applicants for the 2011-
2012 academic year. These priorities will remain in effect until 
superseded. Applicants who apply for health career categories not 
listed as priorities during the current scholarship cycle will not be 
considered for a scholarship award.

    Dated: February 7, 2011.
Yvette Roubideaux,
Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2011-3291 Filed 2-14-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4165-16-P