SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS (SDS) PROGRAM

The Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program provides scholarships to full-time, financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds, enrolled in health professions and nursing programs.

Under this program, funds are awarded to accredited schools of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, podiatric medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing (associate, diploma, baccalaureate and graduate degree), public health, chiropractic, allied health (baccalaureate or graduate degree programs of dental hygiene, medical laboratory technology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, radiologic technology, speech pathology, audiology, and registered dieticians), graduate programs in behavioral and mental health practice, which includes clinical psychology, clinical social work, professional counseling, or marriage and family therapy; or programs providing training of physician assistants.

Participating schools are responsible for selecting scholarship recipients, making reasonable determinations of need, and providing scholarships that do not exceed the cost of attendance (tuition, reasonable educational expenses and reasonable living expenses).

You are eligible to apply for this scholarship at a school that participates in the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students program, if you are a citizen, national, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Marianas Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Federated State of Micronesia.

To apply for this scholarship, contact the student financial aid office at the school where you intend to apply for admission or where you are enrolled.

LOANS FOR DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS (LDS) PROGRAM

The Loans for Disadvantaged Students program provides long-term, low-interest rate loans to full-time, financially needy students from disadvantaged backgrounds, to pursue a degree in allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, optometry, podiatric medicine, pharmacy or veterinary medicine.

Participating schools are responsible for selecting loan recipients, making reasonable determinations of need and providing loans which do not exceed the cost of attendance (tuition, reasonable educational expenses and reasonable living expenses).

You are eligible to apply for a loan at a school that participates in the Loans for Disadvantaged Students Program if you are a citizen, national, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Marianas Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated State of Micronesia.

To apply for this loan, contact the student financial aid office at the school where you intend to apply for admission or where you are enrolled.

PRIMARY CARE LOAN (PCL) PROGRAM

The Primary Care Loan program provides long-term, low interest rate loans to full-time, financially needy students to pursue a degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine. Medical students receiving a PCL must agree to (a) enter and complete residency training in primary care within four years after graduation and (b) practice in primary care for the life of the loan.

Participating schools are responsible for selecting loan recipients, making reasonable determinations of need and providing loans that do not exceed the cost of attendance (tuition, reasonable educational expenses and reasonable living expenses). Loans to third and fourth year students may be increased to repay outstanding balances on other loans taken out while in attendance at that school.

You are eligible to apply for a loan at a school that participates in the Primary Care Loan Program if you are a citizen, national, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Marianas Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated State of Micronesia.

To apply for this loan, contact the student financial aid office at the school where you intend to apply for admission or where you are enrolled.

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FACULTY LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM (FLRP)

The Disadvantaged Faculty Loan Repayment program encourages expansion of disadvantaged representation in health professions faculty positions. The program provides for repayment of education loans in amounts up to $20,000 for each year of service, for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who agree to serve as faculty members at eligible health professions and nursing schools. Each loan repayment recipient must agree to serve as a faculty member for at least two years. Schools include schools of allopathic and osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry, podiatric medicine, pharmacy, public health, allied health (baccalaureate or graduate degree programs in dental hygiene, medical laboratory technology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, radiologic technology, speech pathology, audiology, and medical nutrition therapy), nursing, and graduate programs in behavioral and mental health practice (clinical psychology, clinical social work, professional counseling, and marriage and family therapy).

You are eligible to compete for FLRP participation if you are from a disadvantaged background and: 1) have a degree in allopathic or osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing , or another health profession; 2) are enrolled in an approved health professions graduate training program, or 3) are enrolled as a full-time student in the final year of training, leading to a health professions degree.

FLRP application materials for school year 2000-2001 are now available. If you would like an application packet or you have questions concerning the program, please visit the FLRP web site, or send an e-mail to flrpinfo@hrsa.gov. Application requests or questions can also be faxed to 301-443-0846, or phone 1-888-275-4772. Please include your name, telephone number, address and e-mail address.

HEALTH EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOAN REFINANCING (HEAL)

Although new Health Education Assistance Loans are not being offered, the HEAL refinancing program can offer current holders of HEAL loans substantial savings in monthly payments and total loan costs. HEAL refinancing lenders may offer you substantially lower interest rates than those of your current loans, and there is no cost to refinance. For additional information, and to get a better idea of the amount you will save, visit our HEAL refinancing web site.