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Loan Repayment Program Fiscal Year 2009 Applicant Information Bulletin

Applications Due January 31
On-Line Application
Adobe Icon Printer-friendly Applicant Information Bulletin (PDF - 648 KB)
Applicant Information Bulletin Home
Special Items of Importance
Summary of Important Dates
Introduction
Definitions
Eligibility Requirements and Funding Preferences
Service Requirements
Benefits
Qualifying Educational Loans
Community Site Employment
Full-Time Clinical Practice
Leaving the Community Site
Breaching the NHSC LRP Contract
Suspension, Waiver, Cancellation and Termination
The Application Process
Power-of-Attorney, Privacy Act Release Authorization and Change of Contact Information
NHSC LRP Checklist
Adobe Icon Forms (248 KB)
Adobe Icon Standard Form 1199A (Direct Deposit Form, PDF - 102 KB)
Job Opportunities
Frequently Asked Questions
 
Join an Applicant Conference Call
2:30 to 4:30 pm ET
January 13 & 14

1-888-469-0935
passcode 3407798

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SPECIAL ITEMS OF IMPORTANCE

Electronic Submission of the Application and the Bureau of Clinician Recruitment and Service Information System (BCRSIS) Banking Information

Individuals applying for this funding opportunity are required to submit the application and BCRSIS Banking Information (banking form for the direct deposit of loan repayments) electronically no later than January 31, 2009A hard copy of the online application and BCRSIS Banking Information must be printed, signed and submitted by January 31, 2009 (postmark date) to the:

NHSC LRP
c/o Discovery Logic
1375 Piccard Drive
Suite 350
Rockville, MD 20850

NOTE TO APPLICANTS:  If you need to update your banking information during the application cycle, please click on the Standard Form 1199A (Direct Deposit Form).  ONLY USE THIS FORM FOR BANKING ACCOUNT CHANGES. 

Submission of Supplemental Forms/Documentation to Complete Application Package

In addition to submitting electronic and signed hard copies of the application and BCRSIS Banking Information by January 31, 2009, there are required supplemental forms and supporting documentation, described in the Bulletin, which must be submitted by January 31, 2009 (postmark date, except as noted in the Checklist and elsewhere in the Applicant Information Bulletin) to the NHSC LRP, c/o Discovery Logic, 1375 Piccard Drive, Suite 350, Rockville, MD 20850

Applications will undergo an initial review to determine the completeness of the application package submitted in response to the January 31, 2009 deadline.  Application packages deemed incomplete (i.e., missing, illegible, or incomplete application materials) will not be reviewed or considered for funding.  The NHSC will not accept submission or re-submission of incomplete, rejected, or otherwise delayed applications after the deadline.  It is the applicant’s responsibility to submit a complete application package.

NHSC LRP Awards are Only Made by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (the “Secretary”) or his/her Designee

Only the Secretary or his/her designee can make an NHSC LRP contract award.  An NHSC LRP award cannot be guaranteed by a site or a Primary Care Office, a Primary Care Association, or any other person or entity.

Changes to Applicant Contact and/or Employment Information

It is imperative that applicants promptly notify the NHSC LRP, c/o Discovery Logic by e-mail at nhsc@discoverylogic.com, of any changes to their contact information (name change, email address, mailing address, or telephone number) or site/employment information.

Eligible Service Sites

All NHSC clinicians must provide full-time clinical practice in their profession (as defined by the NHSC) at sites which are located in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) and are approved by the NHSC.

If an applicant’s site is not approved by the NHSC at the time the application is submitted, that site must complete and submit a Recruitment and Retention Assistance (R&R) Application to the Division of Site and Clinical Recruitment by no later than March 27, 2009 If the R&R Application for the applicant’s site is subsequently disapproved by the NHSC, the applicant will be deemed ineligible for a NHSC LRP award.

Employment Changes during the Application Process

The applicant must contact the NHSC LRP, c/o Discovery Logic immediately by e-mail at nhsc@discoverylogic.com, if there are any changes to the applicant’s employment status at the site(s) identified in the application (e.g., applicant no longer employed by the site, applicant’s position at the site no longer meets NHSC definition of full-time clinical practice, etc.). 

A change in practice site(s) made before the application deadline of January 31, 2009 will be considered provided the applicant submits a Community Site Information Form for each new site and documentation of the site’s HPSA status.

A change in practice site(s) for which the above documentation was not submitted by January 31, 2009 will not be considered.  Applicants in this category should withdraw their applications (see below).

Withdrawal of an Application Prior to Receiving a Contract Award

The NHSC LRP contract is effective (becomes legally binding) on the day it is countersigned by the Secretary or his/her designee.  An applicant may withdraw his/her application any time prior to the Secretary or his/her designee signing the contract by contacting Discovery Logic at nhsc@discoverylogic.com.  The NHSC LRP projects that the Secretary or his/her designee will sign contracts during the period from January 2009 through September 2009.

An applicant whose plans and/or circumstances change, such that the applicant is uncertain of his/her future ability to comply with the 2-year NHSC service obligation at the site identified in his/her application, should consider withdrawing his/her application.  Failure to do so could result in the contract being countersigned by the Secretary and the applicant incurring a legal obligation to provide the services or face substantial monetary damages for breach of the service obligation.  An individual who withdraws his/her application would be free to reapply to the NHSC LRP in a subsequent fiscal year.

NHSC LRP Contract Dates

Applicants become participants in the NHSC LRP (i.e., the contract becomes effective) on the date the Secretary or his/her designee countersigns the NHSC LRP contract.  An applicant’s signature alone on this contract does not constitute a contractual agreement.

When an applicant’s employment contract start date precedes the effective date of the NHSC LRP contract, the applicant/participant will not receive NHSC LRP service credit for employment at the NHSC-approved site prior to the effective date of the NHSC LRP contract.  In addition, no loan repayments will be made for any professional practice performed before the effective date of the NHSC LRP contract.

Termination of the Contract Award

Once the NHSC LRP contract is signed by the Secretary or his/her designee (i.e., the NHSC LRP contract takes effect), there is a limited timeframe during which the Secretary or his/her designee may terminate contracts awarded in FY 2009.  A FY 2009 awardee wishing to terminate his/her contract must, by no later than August 17, 2009  (1) submit a written request to terminate the contract and (2) repay all amounts paid to, or on behalf of, the awardee under the contract.  The written request and check should be mailed to the NHSC LRP, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 8-37, Rockville, MD  20857.  The check should be made out to “Department of Health and Human Services.” 

The August 17, 2009 deadline is statutory.  Consequently, there are no exceptions to this date. 

Use of NHSC LRP Payments

All loan repayments received by a participant MUST be used by the participant to repay balances for qualifying educational loans within 30 days of receipt of funds.  The applicant may be responsible for any interest calculated beyond the 30-day period.  NHSC LRP funds received by a participant may not be used to pay taxes or other debts.  A payment history will be required within 45 days of making payments.  The payment history should be mailed to the NHSC LRP, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 8-37, Rockville, MD 20857.

In order to be considered for an amendment contract, the participant will be asked to provide a payment history demonstrating that the NHSC LRP funds received were applied to the qualifying educational loan balances. 

NHSC LRP Payments Are Not Taxable

NHSC LRP payments made to participants are exempt from gross income and employment taxes.  These funds are not included as wages when determining benefits under the Social Security Act.

Mandatory NHSC Loan Repayor Orientation Conference for Awardees

NHSC LRP participants are required to attend an NHSC Loan Repayor Orientation Conference.  Conference objectives include providing 1) mandatory orientation and training opportunities designed to assist participants in successfully completing their NSHC LRP service commitment and 2) practical resources and tools to make service to the underserved a most fulfilling experience.  Conferences are typically held in the Fall (late October/early November) and Winter (January/February) of each year.  An applicant may not register for a conference unless the applicant has been notified, in writing, that he or she has been awarded an NHSC LRP contract.  The NHSC will cover the cost of travel, lodging, ground transportation, and meal and incidental expenses during the conference.  If an awardee is unable to attend a face-to-face conference, he or she will be required to participate in an internet-based training session.  Awardees will be notified by mail and/or email of upcoming conferences and internet-based training sessions.

Telephone Conferences for Applicants

The NHSC LRP will conduct four (4) telephone conferences for applicants who may have questions during the Fiscal Year 2009 application cycle.  The telephone conferences will be held on December 9 and 10, 2008 and January 13 and 14, 2009, respectively.  The telephone conferences will be available for 2 hours each call from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm, EST. 

If you are interested in participating in the telephone conference, please call 1-888-469-0935 and enter the participant passcode 3407798.

next page: Summary of Important Dates

Questions? nhsc@discoverylogic.com or 1-800-638-0824 Monday through Friday (except Federal holidays) 8:30 am to 5 pm ET.

     
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