Health Professions Scholarship

1
Health Professions Scholarship

• Recipient Orientation

2
Agenda

• Program Overview
• Health Professions Scholarship
• Recipient Forms and Documentation
• Scholarship Extension Application
• IHS Extern Program
• Additional Information

3
Program Overview
4
Indian Health Service Mission

• To raise the physical, mental, social and
  spiritual health of American Indians and Alaska
  Natives to the highest level.

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Purpose

• To assist students in their efforts to achieve
  their health education goals.
• To provide health services for Native people.
• To train future leaders of the Indian health
  system.

6
IHS Scholarship Program Personnel

• Robert Pittman Acting Director
• Reta Brewer Program Analyst
• Brenda Miller Program Analyst
• Eric Pinto Program Analyst
• Vickye Santiago Program Analyst

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Program Communications

• Website
• Facebook
• HTML eNewsletters
• Handbooks

8
Scholarship Overview
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Health Professions Scholarship

• The Health Professions Scholarship supports
  scholarship recipients in their pursuit of an
  undergraduate or graduate degree in a health
  professions program and toward the fulfillment of
  a service commitment at an Indian health system
  facility.

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Maintaining Eligibility

• You must meet the following academic requirements
  to maintain your eligibility
• Be in good academic standing according to the
  schools degree program policies.
• Be enrolled as a full-time (12 credit hours or
  the equivalent) or part-time (six to 11 credit
  hours) student for each academic term.
• Maintain your full-time or part-time enrollment
  status throughout the academic year.
• Submit a letter from the institutions program
  director verifying your full- or part-time
  status.
• Maintain the required hours to meet the
  graduation or completion of training date as
  agreed to in your application.

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Financial Support

• Financial aid covers tuition, required fees and
  reasonable education and living expenses
• Up to four academic years full time or eight
  academic years part time.
• Includes lab, health unit and parking permit
  fees.
• A monthly stipend of no less than 1,500 full
  time, or 750 part time, paid for a 12-month
  period.

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Financial Support

• Summer School
• Summer School Request (IHS-856-21) form Must be
  submitted by April 22.
• Full financial support of all tuition and fees.

13
Education Expenses

• IHS will provide one annual payment as part of
  your August deposit to cover the following items
• School-required books, laboratory expenses,
  rental of dental/medical/optometric equipment and
  other miscellaneous educational expenses.
• Tutorial services IHS will include 400 (full
  time) or 200 (part time) to assist with tutorial
  services or licensure/board certification
  preparatory classes.
• School parking permits (only basic permits
  required by school to park on campus).
• 300 to offset travel expenses to and from school
  for the year.
• 35 to offset the expense for a post office box
  rental.

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Education Expenses (cont.)

• IHS will not pay for the following items
• On-campus room and board.
• School bookstore invoices.
• Dental/medical equipment rented from sources
  other than the school.
• Desktop or laptop computers (purchased, leased or
  rented).
• Health or disability insurance.
• Additional travel expenses incurred over the 300
  allowed.

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Education Expenses (cont.)

• IHS will not pay for the following items
• Membership dues for student societies,
  associations and similar expenses.
• School terms prior to the scholarship award
  period.
• Uniforms.
• Parking fines.
• Credit card debt.

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Tax Liability

• The IHS Scholarship Program deducts federal taxes
  from the monthly stipends paid directly to the
  recipient.
• The IHS Scholarship Program does not deduct taxes
  from financial aid paid directly to the school
  for
• Tuition.
• Required fees.
• Summer school.

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Tuition Payment

• IHS pays tuition directly to the institution.
  Recipients must provide the bursars office with
  a copy of their scholarship award letter
  notifying the institution of his or her IHS
  scholarship.
• Recipients may decline all other scholarship or
  grant awards to take advantage of the full
  financial aid package provided.
• IHS will deduct the total of other accepted
  scholarships or grants from the institution
  invoice and only pay the remaining portion,
  unless the other scholarships or grants
  specifically state they may not be used for
  tuition and fees.

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Leave of Absence

• Submit Change of Status (IHS-856-10) form to your
  Program Analyst.
• Approvable reasons include
• Medical or personal issues.
• Poor grades that will affect your ability to take
  required courses.
• First year scholarship recipients are not
  eligible to request a Leave of Absence (LOA).
• Update status online during scholarship extension
  application cycle.

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Breach of Contract and Default

• You will be in breach of your IHS Scholarship
  Contract and placed in default if you
• Are dismissed from school for academic or
  disciplinary reasons.
• Voluntarily terminate academic training before
  graduation and fulfillment of your service
  commitment.
• Pursue an unapproved post-graduate clinical
  training program.
• Fail to serve in the health profession for which
  you received financial aid.

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Breach of Contract and Default

• Liability
• Recipients who complete their degree and pursue
  an unapproved post-graduate clinical training
  program or fail to serve in their chosen health
  profession will be liable to
• Repay three times the amount of scholarship
  funding plus interest.
• Repay the scholarship funds plus interest within
  one year of the default date.

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Recipient Forms and Documentation
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Submitting Forms and Documentation

• Send all forms and documentation to the program
  office via email or to the following address
• Indian Health ServiceScholarship Program801
  Thompson Ave., TMP Suite 450ARockville, MD 20852
• Email scholarship_at_ihs.gov

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Required Forms and Documentation

• Recipients Initial Program Progress Report
  (IHS-856-8)
• Within 30 days of the beginning of each academic
  term.
• Your advisor or the registrars officemust sign
  this form to confirm your full- or part-time
  enrollment for the current academic term.

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Required Forms and Documentation (cont.)

• Official Transcripts
• Must be received within 30 days of the end of
  each academic term.
• Send via secure e-file or postal service.
• Transcripts must have an official seal and/or the
  registrars signature.
• Envelopes should not be opened or tampered with.
• You must submit an official grade report or
  documentation of grades signed by your
  instructors and your advisor if an official
  transcript will not be ready within 30 days.
  

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Additional Forms and Documentation

• Notification of Academic Problem (IHS-856-9)
• Used to notify your Program Analyst of any
  academic problems, including
• Poor grades resulting in a reduction in
  enrollment status.
• Cancelled course.
• Academic probation.
• Withdrawal from school.
• Dismissal from school.
• Submit to your Program Analyst immediately.
• Do not withdraw from a course or school without
  first consulting your Program Analyst.

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Additional Forms and Documentation (cont.)

• Change of Status (IHS-856-10)
• Used to notify your Program Analyst of a change
  in your enrollment status including
• Transferring schools or seeking dual enrollment.
• Change in graduation date.
• Requesting an LOA.
• Submit immediately.

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Additional Forms and Documentation (cont.)

• Summer School Request (IHS-856-21)
• Used to request approval of payment for summer
  school courses.
• Required for recipients enrolled in year-long
  programs.
• Must be
• Submitted by April 22.
• Signed by your school advisor.
• Include an attached Curriculum for Major.
• Include documentation of summer school tuition
  and fees.

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Additional Forms and Documentation (cont.)

• Summer School Request (IHS-856-21)
• The following courses are approved to receive
  financial assistance
• Required courses toward your health profession
  degree program.
• Required courses that must be repeated due to
  poor academic performance.

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Additional Forms and Documentation (cont.)

• Lost Stipend Payment (IHS-856-19)
• Submit to the program office after the seventh
  day of the month following the month missed (for
  example, submit after September 7 if you did not
  receive your August stipend).
• Change of Name or Address (IHS-856-22)
• Submit to the program office immediately.
• Request for Credit Validation (IHS-856-23)
• Submit to the program office immediately.
• Note Contact your Program Analyst immediately if
  you are changing your preferred email address. A
  form does not need to be submitted, but
  notification will avoid delay in or loss of
  communication with the program.

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Scholarship Extension Application
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Online Application

• All scholarship recipients must annually submit a
  scholarship extension application to apply for an
  extension of scholarship support or change their
  status as a recipient.
• This years deadline is February 28.
• There are three status options when submitting an
  extension application
• Request an extension of scholarship support in
  your current degree program.
• Request a leave of absence.
• Decline additional scholarship support from the
  program.
• The scholarship application log-in page can be
  found at www.ihs.gov/scholarship/online_applicatio
  n.
• Keep your username, password and mailing address
  updated throughout the academic year via this
  portal.

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Application Packets

• The following documentation must be submitted as
  part of all application packets
• Application Print after submitting the online
  application.
• Application Checklist Print and sign after
  submitting the online application.
• Letter of Enrollment and Good Academic Standing
  Your advisor must complete and sign your letter
  documenting good academic standing.
• Delinquent Federal Debt (IHS-856-5) This form
  must have an original signature and must be
  submitted even if you do not have any qualifying
  debts.
• Course Curriculum Verification (IHS-856-6) This
  form must be completed documenting courses that
  will be taken during the following academic year
  and must have an original signature. Attaching a
  Curriculum for Major is not sufficient.

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Application Packets (cont.)

• Transfer/Dual Enrollment You must also include
  the following forms if you are transferring
  schools or seeking dual enrollment
• Letter of Acceptance/Proof of Application
• Change of Status (IHS-856-10) form.
• Faculty/Advisor Evaluation (IHS-856-24) forms
  Submitted online. You can submit two hard copies
  if selected evaluators cannot access the online
  form.
• Curriculum for Major Must be attached to Course
  Curriculum Verification (IHS-856-6) form.

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Application Packets (cont.)

• Change in Graduation Date You must also include
  the following form if you are changing your
  graduation date
• Change of Status (IHS-856-10) form.

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Application Packets (cont.)

• Additional Documentation You must provide the
  following documentation if you missed a deadline
  or experience a change in coursework
• Official Transcript Required if you did not
  submit within 30 days of the completion of your
  most recent academic term.
• Curriculum for Major Required if your
  curriculum has changed from the curriculum that
  was approved as a new applicant.

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Missed Application Deadline

• Applicants who miss the scholarship extension
  application deadline have one of three options
• Apply as a new applicant in your degree program.
• Request an LOA for the next academic year.
• Decline additional scholarship funding.

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IHS Extern Program
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Overview

• The Extern Program
• Provides a practical, hands-on experience working
  amongst other health professionals at an Indian
  health facility.
• Provides the opportunity to experience different
  work locations throughout the United States.
• Offers up to 120 days of employment per calendar
  year in either the civil service, direct Tribal
  hire or the US Public Health Service (USPHS)
  Commissioned Corps.
• Places health professions students in positions
  during non-academic periods.

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Priorities for Selection

• Health Professions Scholarship recipients.
• Health Professions students (non-recipients) who
  are American Indian or Alaska Native.
• Health Professions students (non-recipients) who
  are not American Indian or Alaska Native.
• Preparatory or Pre-Graduate scholarship
  recipients.

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Personnel Systems

• Civil Service the federal civil service
  personnel system.
• Direct Tribal/Urban Indian program hire
  employment through Tribal/Urban Indian program
  facilities.
• Commissioned Officer Student Training and Extern
  Program (COSTEP) a program of the USPHS
  Commissioned Corps.

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How to Apply

• You must submit your application via USAJOBS
  (USAJOBS.gov).
• You must create a user account.
• IHS Extern Program Student Training positions are
  listed as Series 0669.
• COSTEP applicants must also apply to the USPHS
  Commissioned Corps via www.usphs.gov.

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How to Apply (cont.)

• You are required to upload the following
  documents as part of your application
• Resume
• Extern Site Preference Request (IHS-856-17) form.
• Proof of immunity to measles and rubella.
• Documentation of school enrollment for fall term.

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How to Apply (cont.)

• You are required to upload the following
  documents as part of your application
• Copy of your
• School transcripts.
• Social Security card.
• Drivers license.
• Note Obtaining a copy of your fingerprints from
  your local police departmentwill help to
  expedite the security clearance and hiring
  process.

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Benefits

• The personnel system you choose determines your
  salary.
• Civil service is based on your experience and the
  number of completed semester hours per Office of
  Personnel Management (OPM) rules and regulations.
• Tribal/Urban Indian program pay is comparable to
  the federal civil service system.
• A Commissioned Corps extern serves as an Ensign
  (O-1).
• Salary is waived if the externship fulfills a
  required academic field placement or an
  internship. IHS will pay the required tuition and
  fees.

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Benefits (cont.)

• Travel reimbursement is available for one round
  trip to your extern site.
• Housing is your responsibility. Information is
  available through the Area Scholarship
  Coordinator serving the IHS Area office where you
  choose to work.
• Contact Information
• Vickye Santiago, Extern Coordinator
  vickye.santiago_at_ihs.gov

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Contact Information
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Support Staff

• IHS Scholarship Program Analyst
  www.ihs.gov/scholarship/contact/programanalysts
• Grants Scholarship Coordinator
  www.ihs.gov/scholarship/contact/othercontactinform
  ations
• Area Scholarship Coordinator www.ihs.gov/scholar
  ship/contact/areascholarshipcoordinators
• IHS Discipline Chief www.ihs.gov/scholarship/con
  tact/disciplinechiefs
• For additional information
• Visit www.ihs.gov/scholarship or consult your
  Student Handbook, which can also be found on this
  website.