National Health Service Corps

 

The National Health Service Corps (NHSC) assists Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in every State, Territory, and Possession of the United States to meet their primary care medical, oral, and mental and behavioral health service needs by increasing the supply of clinicians through the following programs: National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program (LRP), The Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program, and State Loan Repayment Program (SLRP). In 2018, NHSC expanded to improve access to quality opioid and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment in rural and underserved areas nationwide through the NHSC Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Workforce Loan Repayment Program and Rural Community (RC) Loan Repayment Program. The NHSC Loan Repayment Program offers fully trained primary care clinicians the opportunity to receive financial assistance to repay their qualifying educational loans in exchange for service in a HPSA. The NHSC SUD Loan Repayment Program offers fully trained and licensed SUD providers the opportunity to receive financial assistance to repay their qualifying educational loans in exchange for service in a NHSC SUD treatment facility within a HPSA. The Rural Community (RC) Loan Repayment Program offers fully trained and licensed SUD providers the opportunity to receive financial assistance to repay their qualifying educational loans in exchange for service in a NHSC Rural SUD treatment facility within a HPSA. The Students to Service (S2S) Loan Repayment Program provides financial assistance to repay qualifying educational loans to medical students in their last year of school in exchange for service in a HPSA.

Deleted 03/27/2024 (Archived.) 93.547 Health Resources and Services Administration, Department of Health and Human Services B - Project Grants; C - Direct Payments For Specified Use Fiscal Year 2018 Since its inception in 1972, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) has worked to support qualified health care providers dedicated to working in underserved communities in urban, rural, and tribal areas. Across the nation, NHSC clinicians serve patients in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) – communities with limited access to health care. As of September 30, 2018, there were 6,815 primary care HPSAs, 5,632 dental HPSAs, and 4,929 mental health HPSAs. The NHSC seeks clinicians who demonstrate a commitment to serve the Nation’s medically underserved populations at NHSC-approved sites located in HPSAs. NHSC-approved sites provide care to individuals regardless of ability to pay; currently, there are over 16,400 NHSC-approved sites. Eligible sites include Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and FQHC Look-Alikes, American Indian and Native Alaska health clinics, rural health clinics, critical access hospitals and hospitals managed or owned by the Indian Health Service (IHS), school-based clinics, mobile units, free clinics, community mental health centers, state or local health departments, community outpatient facilities, federal facilities such as the Bureau of Prisons, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, IHS, and private practices. In particular, the NHSC has partnered closely with HRSA-supported FQHCs to help meet their staffing needs. Over 60 percent of NHSC clinicians serve in Health Centers around the nation, and 15 percent of clinical staff at FQHCs are NHSC clinicians. The NHSC also places clinicians in other community-based systems of care that serve underserved populations, targeting HPSAs of greatest need. As of September 30, 2018, there are 10,939 primary care medical, dental, and mental and behavioral health practitioners providing service nationwide in the following programs. Section 331-338I (42 United States Code Section 254d-254q–1), as amended by P.L. 111-148; Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-10). For specific program and eligibility requirements, please see: http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/ Health professional U.S. citizen Education (13+) Applicants should review the individual HRSA Application and Program Guidance (NHSC LRP, NHSC SUD Workforce LRP, NHSC RC LRP, NHSC S2S LRP) issued under this CFDA program for any required proof or certifications which must be submitted prior to or simultaneous with submission of an application package. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program. Preapplication coordination is not applicable. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. HRSA requires SLRP applicants to apply electronically through Grants.gov. Other applicants apply through http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/ NHSC LRP awards are made based on the highest need as determined by descending health professional shortage area scores. Priority will be given to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to practicing in underserved communities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, priority may be given to applicants whose training is in a health discipline or specialty determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be needed by the NHSC and who the Secretary determines are committed to serve in health professional shortage areas. NHSC SUD Workforce LRP awards are made based on the highest need as determined by descending health professional shortage area scores. Priority is given to applicants trained and licensed in SUD treatment which has been determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be needed by the NHSC. NHSC RC LRP awards are made based on the highest need as determined by descending health professional shortage area scores. Priority is given to applicants trained and licensed in SUD treatment and serving in a rural community which has been determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be needed by the NHSC. NHSC S2S LRP awards are prioritized based on having a disadvantaged background and characteristics likely to remain in a HPSA as identified by their essays and letters of recommendation. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Notification to all applicants are made no later than September 30th of the application year. Not applicable. NHSC LRP and S2S LRP: continuation contracts will be considered according to the availability of appropriated funds and eligibility criteria applied to the individual and the site at which that individual is employed. NHSC LRP - Priority will be given to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to practicing in underserved communities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In addition, priority may be given to applicants whose training is in a health discipline or specialty determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be needed by the NHSC and who the Secretary determines are committed to serve in health professional shortage areas. NHSC SUD Workforce LRP - Priority will be given to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to practicing in a NHSC SUD treatment facility in underserved communities within health professional shortage areas. Priority is also given to applicants trained and licensed in SUD treatment which has been determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be needed by the NHSC. NHSC RC LRP - Priority will be given to individuals who demonstrate a commitment to practicing in a NHSC Rural SUD treatment facility in underserved communities within health professional shortage areas. Priority is also given to applicants trained and licensed in SUD treatment serving in a rural community, which has been determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to be needed by the NHSC. NHSC S2S LRP- Priority will be given to applicants who have a disadvantaged background and characteristics likely to remain in a HPSA as identified by their essay and letters of recommendation. NHSC Loan Repayment Awards provide payments of up to $50,000 towards a participant’s qualified educational loans for 2 years of full time practice (up to $25,000 for 2 years of half time practice) at an approved NHSC Service Site under a written agreement with this program. NHSC Scholarships pay tuition and required fees to the school, a monthly stipend to students for living expenses, and a single annual payment to the student to assist with other reasonable educational expenses. Students to Service Loan Repayment Program provides payments of up to $120,000 for the first 3 years of full-time service or 6 years of half-time service. State Loan Repayment Grant Program funds can only be used to repay the qualifying educational loans of health professionals who have entered into a SLRP contract with the States. Federal grant funds cannot be used to cover the costs of administering the program or as the source of State matching funds. Refer to the individual HRSA Application and Program Guidance or Notice of Funding Opportunity issued under this CFDA for specific requirements for the NHSC Loan Repayment, NHSC Scholarship and State Loan Repayment Programs. Restricted Uses: As applicable, indirect costs that are allowed for administrative costs incurred as a result of the project, are limited to 8 percent of direct costs. Please see the applicable program funding announcements Not applicable. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, non-Federal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Non-Federal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. In accordance with the provisions of 2 CFR 200, Subpart F - Audit Requirements, nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $750,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $750,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in 2 CFR 200.503. Annual audits do not apply to NHSC LRP and S2S LRP. None for NHSC LRP and S2S LRP. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is voluntary. This program has no statutory formula. Matching Requirements: Matching requirement does not apply to NHSC LRP, and NHSC S2S LRP. The Federal share must be used to repay the government and commercial loans of health professionals for tuition, educational expenses and living expenses described in Section 338B(g)(1) of the Public Health Service Act. States must assume administrative costs. This program does not have MOE requirements.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. NHSC LRP - Loan repayments for 2 year of obligated service will be made no later than the end of the fiscal year in which the individual completes such year of service. NHSC SUD Workforce LRP - Loan repayments for 3 years of obligated service will be made no later than the end of the fiscal year in which the individual completes such year of service. NHSC RC LRP - Loan repayments for 3 years of obligated service will be made no later than the end of the fiscal year in which the individual completes such year of service. NHSC S2S LRP- Loan repayments for 3 years of obligated service will be made no later than the end of the fiscal year in which the individual completes such year of service. NHSC SP - Each award covers 1 to 4 years of support, as requested. No awardees may receive more than 4 years of support. Recipients drawdown funds, as necessary, from the Payment Management System (PMS), the centralized web based payment system for HHS awards. See Regional Agency Offices. Division of National Health Service Corps, Bureau of Health Workforce (BHW) Health Resources and Services Administration
Room 14N56, 5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857 US
nhscupdate@hrsa.gov
Phone: (301) 594-4400 http://nhsc.hrsa.gov 75-0350-0-1-550 (Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 18$149,888,000.00; FY 19 est $164,349,000.00; FY 20 est $167,000,000.00; FY 17$149,888,000.00; FY 16$164,997,994.00; - NHSC LRP(Direct Payments for Specified Use) FY 18$20,000,000.00; FY 19 est $20,000,000.00; FY 20 est $20,000,000.00; FY 17$20,000,000.00; FY 16$10,672,075.00; - NHSC S2S Not applicable/available. Please see application process for NHSC LRP, and S2S LRP at http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/ HRSA awards are also subject to the requirements of the HHS Grants Policy Statement (HHS GPS) that are applicable based on recipient type and purpose of award. The HHS GPS is available at http://www.hrsa.gov/grants/hhsgrantspolicy.pdf. Not applicable.