[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 52 (Monday, March 18, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16685-16690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-06101]


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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 16686]]

    CFDA Numbers: 93.971, 93.123, and 93.972.

Key Dates

    Application Deadline: April 14, 2013, for continuing students.
    Application Deadline: April 14, 2013, for new students.
    Application Review: May 13-24, 2013.
    Continuation Award Notification Deadline: June 7, 2013.
    New Award Notification Deadline: July 5, 2013.
    Award Start Date: August 1, 2013.
    Acceptance/Decline of Awards Deadline: August 16, 2013.

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 serve 
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, 
Public Law 94-437 (1976), as amended (IHCIA), codified at 25 U.S.C. 
1613(b)(1).
     The Indian Health Professions Pre-graduate Scholarship 
authorized by Section 103 of the IHCIA, codified at 25 U.S.C. 
1613(b)(2).
     The Indian Health Professions Scholarship authorized by 
Section 104 of the IHCIA, codified at 25 U.S.C. 1613a.
    Full-time and part-time scholarships will be funded for each of the 
three scholarship programs.
    The scholarship award selections and funding are subject to 
availability of funds appropriated for the Scholarship Program.

II. Award Information

Type of Award

    Scholarship.

Estimated Funds Available

    An estimated $14.0 million will be available for Fiscal Year (FY) 
2013 awards. The IHS Scholarship Program (IHSSP) anticipates, but 
cannot guarantee, due to possible funding changes, student scholarship 
selections from any or all of the following disciplines in the 103 and 
104 Programs for the Scholarship Period 2013-2014. Due to the rising 
cost of education and the decreasing number of scholars who can be 
funded by the 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 scholarships, and inherently the number of 
service obligated scholars, to better meet the health care needs of the 
IHS and its Tribal and Urban Indian health care system partners.

Anticipated Number of Awards

    Approximately 60 awards will be made under the Health Professions 
Preparatory and Pre-graduate Scholarship Programs for Indians. The 
awards are for ten months in duration, with an additional two months 
for approved summer school requests, and will cover both tuition and 
fees and Other Related Costs (ORC). The average award to a full-time 
student is approximately $33,486.03. An estimated 300 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 ORC. The average award to a full-time student is approximately 
$41,196.77. In FY 2013, an estimated $12,500,000 is available for 
Health Professions awards, and an estimated $1,500,000 is available for 
Preparatory and Pre-graduate awards.

Project Period

    The project period for the IHS Health Professions Preparatory 
Scholarship support, tuition, fees and ORC 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 
Health Professions Pre-graduate Scholarship support, tuition, fees and 
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. The IHS Indian Health Professions Scholarship provides 
support for tuition, fees, and ORC and 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 is a limited competition announcement. New and Continuation 
scholarship awards are limited to ``Indians'' as defined at 25 U.S.C. 
Section 1603 (13). Continuation awards are non-competitive.

1. Eligibility

    The Health Professions Preparatory Scholarship awards are made to 
American Indians (Federally recognized Tribal members, first and second 
degree descendants of Federally recognized Tribal members, State 
recognized Tribal members and first and second degree descendants of 
State recognized Tribal members), or Eskimo, Aleut and other 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.
    The Health 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 State recognized Tribal 
members), or Eskimo, Aleut and other 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-optometry or pre-podiatry.
    The Indian Health Professions Scholarship may be awarded only to an 
individual who is a member of a Federally recognized Indian Tribe, 
Eskimo, Aleut or other Alaska Native as provided by Section 1603 (13) 
and Section 1603 (14) of the IHCIA. Membership in a Tribe recognized 
only by a state does not meet this statutory requirement for the Indian 
Health Professions Scholarship. 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 1603 (10) of the IHCIA.

2. Cost Sharing/Matching

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

3. Benefits From State, Local, Tribal and Other Federal Sources

    Awardees of the Health Professions Preparatory, Health Professions 
Pre- Graduate scholarship Health Professions scholarship, who accept 
outside funding from other scholarship, grant and fee waiver programs, 
will have these monies applied to their student account tuition and 
fees charges 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 and Veterans Administration (VA)/GI Bill

[[Page 16687]]

Benefits accepted by Health Professions scholarship recipients will 
have no effect on the IHSSP payment made to their college or 
university.

IV. Application Submission Information

1. Address To Request Application Package

    The IHS 856 Scholarship Application (Scantron purple bubble form) 
forms will no longer be available for use beginning in the AY 2013-2014 
application cycle. Applicants must go online to www.ihs.gov/scholarship 
to begin the application process for an IHS scholarship. Applicants are 
strongly encouraged to seek consultation from their Area Scholarship 
Coordinator (ASC) in preparing their scholarship application for award 
consideration. ASC's 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 of residence.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  IHS Area Office and States/locality
                 served                  Scholarship coordinator address
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aberdeen Area IHS:
    Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, South  Ms. Kim Annis, IHS Area
     Dakota.                              Scholarship Coordinator,
                                          Aberdeen Area IHS, 115 4th
                                          Avenue SE., Aberdeen, SD
                                          57401, Tele: (605) 226-7466.
Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium:
    Alaska.............................  Ms. Courtney Bridges, IHS Area
                                          Scholarship Coordinator, 4000
                                          Ambassador Drive, Anchorage,
                                          AK 99508, Tele: (907) 729-
                                          1917, 1-800-684-8361 (toll
                                          free).
Albuquerque Area IHS:
    Colorado, New Mexico...............  Ms. Cora Boone, Colorado IHS
                                          Area Scholarship Coordinator,
                                          Albuquerque Area IHS, 5300
                                          Homestead Road, NE.,
                                          Albuquerque, NM 87110.
Bemidji Area IHS:
    Illinois, Indiana, Michigan,         Mr. Tony Buckanaga, IHS Area
     Minnesota, Wisconsin.                Scholarship Coordinator,
                                          Bemidji Area IHS, 522
                                          Minnesota Avenue NW., Room
                                          209, Bemidji, MN 56601, Tele:
                                          (218) 444-0486, 1-800-892-3079
                                          (toll free).
Billings Area IHS:
    Montana, Wyoming...................  Mr. Delon Rock Above,
                                          Alternate: Ms. 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:
    California.........................  Ms. Mona Celli, IHS Area
                                          Scholarship Coordinator,
                                          California Area IHS, 650
                                          Capitol Mall, Suite 7-100,
                                          Sacramento, CA 95814, Tele:
                                          (505) 248-4418.
Nashville Area IHS:
    Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut,      Ms. Marla Jones, IHS Area
     Delaware, Florida, Georgia,          Scholarship Coordinator,
     Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine,          Nashville Area IHS, 711
     Maryland, Massachusetts,             Stewarts Ferry Pike,
     Mississippi, District of Columbia,   Nashville, TN 37214, Tele:
     New Hampshire, New Jersey, New       (615) 467-1576, Fax: (615) 467-
     York, North Carolina, Ohio,          1569.
     Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South
     Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont,
     Virginia, West Virginia.
Navajo Area IHS:
    Arizona, New Mexico, Utah..........  Ms. Aletha John, IHS Area
                                          Scholarship Coordinator,
                                          Navajo Area IHS, P.O. Box
                                          9020, Window Rock, AZ 86515,
                                          Tele: (928) 871-1360.
Oklahoma City Area IHS:
    Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma.........  Mr. Keith Bohanan, IHS Area
                                          Scholarship Coordinator,
                                          Oklahoma City Area IHS, 701
                                          Market Drive, Oklahoma City,
                                          OK 73114, Tele: (405) 951-
                                          3789, 1-800-722-3357 (toll
                                          free).
Phoenix Area IHS:
    Arizona, Nevada, Utah..............  Ms. Trudy Begay, IHS Area
                                          Scholarship Coordinator,
                                          Phoenix Area IHS, Suite 510,
                                          40 North Central Avenue,
                                          Phoenix, AZ 85004, Tele: (602)
                                          364-5256.
Portland Area IHS:
    Idaho, Oregon, Washington..........  Mr. Wayne Teeias, IHS Area
                                          Scholarship Coordinator,
                                          Portland Area IHS, 1414 NW
                                          Northrup Street, Suite 800,
                                          Portland, OR 97209, Tele:
                                          (503) 414-5546.
Tucson Area IHS:
    Arizona, Texas.....................  Ms. Trudy Begay, (See Phoenix
                                          Area).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

2. Content and Form Submission

    Each applicant will be responsible for creating an online account 
and completing the electronic version of the IHS-856 Scholarship 
Application form which will register the applicant into the IHS 
Scholarship Program database. The applicant is instructed, online, to 
print three copies of this electronic IHS-856 Application form, one for 
their records and two which must be signed, dated and submitted by mail 
with two sets of the required supporting documents, one original 
signature set and one copy set, in accordance with the IHS Scholarship 
Program Application Handbook instructions, to the: IHS Scholarship 
Program Branch Office, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 450A, Rockville, MD 
20852. Only electronically completed and signed IHS-856 scholarship 
application forms mailed with their supporting documents are being 
accepted for the AY 2013-2014 scholarship cycle. For more information 
on how to access the electronic scholarship application form,

[[Page 16688]]

go to www.ihs.gov/scholarship. The on-line portal will be open on 
February 10, 2013. The application will be considered complete if the 
following documents (original and one copy) are included:
     Completed and signed online application Checklist.
     Original completed, printed, and signed IHS-856 online 
application form for new or continuation student.
     Current Letter of Acceptance from College/University or 
Proof of Application to a College/University or Health Professions 
Program.
     One set of Official transcripts for all colleges/
universities attended (or high school transcripts or Certificate of 
Completion of Home School Program or General Education Diploma (G.E.D). 
for applicants who have not taken college courses).
     Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): Calculated by the 
applicant.
     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, i.e., 
Tribal enrollment card showing enrollment number; or
    (3) Other evidence of Tribal membership satisfactory to the 
Secretary of the Interior.

    Note:  If you meet the criteria for Category A you are eligible 
for the Preparatory, Pre-graduate or Health Professions Scholarship. 
If you only meet the criteria for Category B or C, you are eligible 
only the Preparatory or Pre-graduate Scholarships.

    B. For Section 103 Scholarships Only: 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 located in accordance with the law of that state.
    C. For Section 103 Scholarships, only: 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/or 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.
     Two Faculty/Employer Evaluations with original signature.
     Reasons for Requesting the Scholarship.
     Delinquent Debt Form.
     Course Curriculum Verification with original signature.
     Curriculum for Major.

3. Submission Dates

    Continuation Application Receipt Date: The online Continuation 
Application submission deadline for Continuation applicants is 
Thursday, March 28, 2013. The hard copy Student Data Sheet form will no 
longer be mailed to Continuation applicants beginning in AY 2013-2014. 
All form are available electronically. Required application support 
documents must be submitted by Thursday, March 28, 2013.
    New Application Receipt Date: New applicants must print two copies 
of their application form, sign them, and submit these with their 
supporting documents to be mailed by the deadline of Thursday, March 
28, 2013. No supporting documents will be accepted after this date, 
except final Letters of Acceptance, which must be submitted no later 
than Friday, May 31, 2013.
    Application forms and supporting documents (original and one copy) 
shall be considered as meeting the deadline if they are received by 
mail by the IHSSP Branch Office, 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.
    New and Continuation applicants may check the status of their 
application receipt and processing by logging into their online account 
at www.ihs.gov/scholarship. Applications received, with postmarks after 
the announced deadline date, 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 subpart J, Subdivisions J-3, J-4, and J-8 and this 
information will be published in all IHSSP Application and Student 
Handbooks as they pertain to the IHSSP.

6. Other Submissions Requirements

    New and Continuation applicants are responsible for using the 
online application system. See section 3. Submission Dates for 
application deadlines.

V. Application Review Information

1. Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed and scored with the following 
criteria.
     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. Preparatory, Pre-graduate and 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

[[Page 16689]]

potential in the chosen health related professions.
     Stated Reasons for Asking for the Scholarship and Stated 
Career Goals Related to the Needs of the IHS (30 points)
    Applicants must provide a brief written explanation of reasons for 
asking for the scholarship and of their career goals. Applicants are 
considered for scholarship awards based on their desired career goals 
and how these goals relate to current Indian health personnel needs.
    The applicant's narrative will be judged on how well it is written 
and its content.
    Applications for each health career category are reviewed and 
ranked separately.
     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 receive 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 2013.
    [cir] Indian Health Professions Preparatory Scholarships
    A. Pre-Clinical Psychology (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years only).
    B. Pre-Nursing.
    C. Pre-Pharmacy.
    D. Pre-Social Work (Jr. and Sr. preparing for an MS in social 
work).
    [cir] Indian Health Professions Pre-graduate Scholarships
    A. Pre-Dentistry.
    B. Pre-Medicine.
    C. Pre-Optometry.
    D. Pre-Podiatry.
    [cir] Indian Health Professionals Scholarship
    A. Bio Medical Engineering--BS. (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years 
only).
    B. Bio Medical Technology--AAS.
    C. Chemical Dependency Counseling--Master's Degrees.
    D. Clinical Psychology--Ph.D. or Psy.D.
    E. Dentistry: DDS or DMD degrees
    F. Diagnostic Radiology Technology: Associates and B.S.
    G. Environmental Health/Sanitarian: B.S. (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate 
years only).
    H. Health Records Administration: R.H.I.T. (A.A.S.) and R.H.I.A 
(B.S.).
    I. Medical Technology: B.S. (Jr. and Sr. undergraduate years only).
    J. Medicine: Allopathic and Osteopathic.
    K. Nurse: Associate and Bachelor Degrees and advanced degrees in 
Psychiatry, Geriatric, Women's Health, Pediatric Nursing, Midwifery, 
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).
    L. Optometry: O.D.
    M. Pharmacy: Pharm.D.
    N. Physician Assistant: PA-C.
    O. Physical Therapy: M.S. and D.P.T.
    P. Podiatry: D.P.M.
    Q. Public Health Nutritionist: M.S.
    R. Respiratory Therapy: B.S. Degree.
    S. Social Work: Masters Level only (Direct Practice and Clinical 
concentrations).
    T. Ultrasonography (Prerequisite: Diagnostic Radiology Technology 
degree/certificate).

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 provides 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 by 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 2013 and new applicants will be 
notified in writing during the first week of July 2013. 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 part 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 Indian 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 42 CFR 136.330-136.334. Awardees shall incur a service 
obligation prescribed under the IHCIA, Section 1613a(b), 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 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 (75% of the total served) of Indians as determined 
by the Secretary in accordance with guidelines of the Service.
    Pursuant to the IHCIA Section1613a(b)(3)(C), an awardee of an IHS 
Health Professions Scholarship may, at the election of the awardee, 
meet his/her service obligation prescribed under IHCIA Section 1613a(b) 
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 Indian Health Professions 
Scholarship are reminded that acceptance of this scholarship will 
result in a service obligation required by both statutes and contract, 
which must be performed at an

[[Page 16690]]

approved service payback facility. The Director reserves the right to 
make final decisions regarding assignment of scholarship recipients to 
fulfill their service obligation.
    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, 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 2.0 cumulative GPA, remain in good 
academic standing each semester/trimester/quarter, maintain full-time 
student status (Institutional definition of `minimum hours' 
constituting full-time enrollment applies) or part-time student status 
(Institutional definition of `minimum and maximum' hours constituting 
part-time enrollment applies) for the entire academic year, as 
indicated on the scholarship application submitted for that academic 
year. The Health Professions scholarship awardee may not change his or 
her enrollment status between terms of enrollment, during the same 
academic year. In addition to these requirements, a Health Professions 
Scholarship awardee must be enrolled in an approved/accredited school 
for a Health Professions degree.
    An awardee of a scholarship under the IHS Health Professions 
Preparatory and Health Professions Pre-Graduate Scholarship authority 
must maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, remain in good standing 
each semester/trimester/quarter and be a full time student 
(Institutional definition of `minimum hours' constituting full-time 
enrollment applies, typically 12 credit hours per semester) or a part-
time student (Institutional definition of `minimum and maximum' hours 
constituting part-time enrollment applies, typically 6-11 credit 
hours). The Preparatory and Pre-graduate awardee 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 IHSSP at the identified 
time frame. Each scholarship awardee will have access to an online 
Student Handbook containing all required program forms and instructions 
on when, how, and to whom these must be submitted, by logging into the 
IHSSP Web site at www.ihs.gov/scholarship. If a scholarship awardee 
fails to submit these forms and 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-856-8, page 69 of the 
Student Handbook).

B. Transcripts

    Within thirty (30) days from the end of each academic period, i.e., 
semester/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 immediately submit Form IHS-856-9, on page 71 of 
the Student Handbook.

D. Change of Status

     Change of Academic Status
    Scholarship awardees must immediately notify 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 IHSSP 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 Scholarship Program Analyst 
immediately in writing. Justification must be attached from the school 
advisor.

VII. Agency Contacts

    1. Questions on the application process may be directed to the 
appropriate IHS Area Scholarship Coordinator.
    2. Questions on other programmatic matters may be addressed to: Dr. 
Dawn A. Kelly, Chief, Scholarship Program, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 
450A, Rockville, Maryland 20852, Telephone: (301) 443-6197 (This is not 
a toll-free number).
    3. Questions on payment information may be directed to: Mr. Craig 
Boswell, Grants Scholarship Coordinator, Division of Grants Management, 
Indian Health Service, 801 Thompson Avenue, TMP 360, 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 Health 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 from http://www.healthypeople.gov.
    Interested individuals are reminded that the list of eligible 
health and allied professions is effective for applicants for the 2013-
2014 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: March 11, 2013.
Yvette Roubideaux,
Director, Indian Health Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-06101 Filed 3-15-13; 8:45 am]
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