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.

NURSING STUDENT LOAN (NSL) PROGRAM

The Nursing Student Loan program provides long-term, low-interest rate loans to full-time and half-time financially needy students pursuing a course of study leading to a diploma, associate, baccalaureate or graduate degree in nursing.

Participating schools are responsible for selecting loan recipients and for determining the amount of assistance a student requires.

You are eligible to apply for a loan at a school that participates in the Nursing Student 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.

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.