Applicant Update
- 2008 Applications were due April 30. No new applications will be accepted until the 2009 application is published.
- Applicants selected to receive a NELRP award were notified between July 1 and September 30, 2008.
- Applicants not selected will be notified in October 2008, provided they submitted a complete application.
Next Year's Application
- Sign up to be notified by e-mail when next year's application is available.
- Read this FY 2008 Application Guidance for complete information on program requirements, benefits and application process.
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NELRP FY 2008 Application Guidance
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Special
Items of Importance
Electronic Submission
of the Application
Individuals applying for
this funding opportunity are required
to submit the application electronically
and to complete and submit supplemental
forms and documentation on paper
by postal mail no later than the
application deadline, April 30,
2008.
The on-line application and supplemental
forms (which must be completed,
signed, printed and mailed) are
expected to be available at 8 am
ET Tuesday, April 1. When the
on-line application and supplemental
forms are available, a link to them
will be on this page.
The supplemental forms and supporting
documentation that must submitted
on paper by postal mail are described
in Section M.
Mail them no later than April
30, 2008 to:
Division of Applications and
Awards
Nursing Education Loan Repayment
Branch
c/o FocalPoint Consulting Group
1025 Vermont Avenue, NW Suite
1000
Washington, DC 20005
NELRP 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 a NELRP contract
award. A NELRP contract award cannot
be guaranteed by a Critical Shortage
Facility (CFS) or any other entity
or person. Employment at a CSF
does not guarantee a NELRP contract.
NELRP Payments are Taxable
The NELRP payments made
to participants are regarded as
income by the U.S. Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) and are subject to
Federal taxes. The NELRP will withhold
Federal income tax and Federal Insurance
Contributions Act (FICA) tax (Social
Security and Medicare) from a participant’s
NELRP award and pay those taxes
directly to the IRS on the participant’s
behalf. All NELRP payments made
and Federal taxes withheld will
be reported to you and the IRS on
a Form W-2 after the end of the
tax year. These loan repayments
may also be subject to State and
local income taxes. Participants
should check with their State or
local tax authority concerning their
tax liability for these payments.
Use of NELRP Payments
All loan repayments received
by the participant after Federal
tax withholding MUST be used by
the participant to repay qualifying
loan balances for qualifying nursing
education. NELRP funds received
by a participant may not be used
to pay taxes. In order to be considered
for an amendment contract, the participant
will be asked to provide a payment
history demonstrating that the NELRP
funds received were applied to the
qualifying nursing loan balances.
Employment Changes During
the Application Process
In fairness to all applicants,
for funding preference purposes,
the following policies have been
established:
The applicant must contact the
NELRP immediately if there are any
changes in the workplace facility.
Changes in the workplace facility
made before the application deadline
are acceptable and will be considered
provided the applicant submits an
Employment Verification Form for
the new facility and documentation
of the facility’s status as set
forth in Section
M.3 of this Guidance before
the application deadline.
Changes in the workplace facility
not documented before the application
deadline or made after the application
deadline will not be accepted or
considered. Applicants in this
category will have the opportunity
to withdraw their application (see
below).
Withdrawal of an Application
Prior to Receiving a Contract Award
The NELRP contract is effective
on the day it is signed by the Secretary
or his/her designee. Once the Secretary
signs the NELRP contract, the applicant
becomes obligated to provide 2 years
of full-time service beginning on
the effective date of the contract
at the CSF identified in the application.
The NELRP projects that the Secretary
or designee will sign contracts
during the period from July 2008
through September 2008.
If an applicant will not be able
to commence full-time service at
the CSF identified in the application
on the effective date of the contract
(which the NELRP anticipates will
be between July 2008 and September
2008), the applicants must notify
the NELRP in writing at callcenter@hrsa.gov
or 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 8-37,
Rockville, Maryland 20857 by June
13, 2008, to withdraw his/her application
from consideration. If the applicant
withdraws his/her application by
June 13, 2008, or before the applicant’s
contract is signed by the Secretary,
he/she will be eligible to apply
to the NELRP in the future. If
the applicant’s contract is signed
by the Secretary prior to NELRP’s
receipt of the applicant’s request
for withdrawal, the application
can no longer be withdrawn. If
such applicant fails to commence
service on the effective date of
the contract, the applicant will
be in breach of the contract and
will be permanently disqualified
from receiving future awards under
the NELRP and some other Federal
programs.
Loan Consolidation Changes
During the Application Process
Loan consolidations/refinances
before the application deadline
are acceptable, provided that the
applicant submits a Loan Information
and Verification Form (Loan Form)
for the consolidated/refinanced
loans by the application deadline.
If the Loan Form is not received
by the application deadline, the
consolidated/refinanced loans will
not be considered for loan repayment
under the NELRP.
If loans are consolidated/refinanced
between the application deadline
and before awards are made, those
loans will not be considered for
loan repayment. Therefore, applicants
are encouraged to consolidate/refinance
their loans either before the application
deadline or after receipt of an
award.
All loan balances submitted for
loan repayment consideration will
be verified to determine whether
they are eligible for repayment
under the NELRP by contacting lenders
or holders and checking the applicant’s
credit report to cross reference
information provided by the lenders
or holders.
Special Instructions for Certified
Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs),
Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs),
and Nurse Practitioners (NPs) Employed
by a Professional Group that Practices
at a Critical Shortage Facility
(CSF)
The professional group should complete
the Employment Verification Form.
The professional group must also
provide a written statement on original
letterhead stating that the applicant
will be working exclusively at one
designated CSF for at least 32 hours
per week (for a minimum of 45 weeks
per service year) for the 2-year
duration of the applicant’s NELRP
contract, if the applicant receives
an award. Documentation of the
facility’s status must also be submitted
as set forth in Section
M.3 of this Guidance.
Applicants are Responsible
for Submitting a Complete Application
Package
It is the applicant’s responsibility
to submit a complete application
package, which includes the completed
electronic application, all required
supplemental forms and supporting
documentation (see Section
M of this Guidance). The NELRP
staff will not fill in any missing
information or contact applicants
regarding missing information.
The NELRP staff will perform no
further review of missing, inaccurate,
illegible, or incomplete application
materials.
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Notice
This Application Guidance describes
the Nursing Education Loan Repayment
Program (NELRP) for registered nurses
authorized by Section 846 of the
Public Health Service Act, as amended,
and implemented by Federal regulations
(42 CFR Part 57, Section 312).
Future changes in the governing
statute, the implementing regulations
and the administrative policies
and guidelines may also be applicable
to participants in this program.
In the Catalog of Federal Domestic
Assistance published by the Office
of Management and Budget of the
Executive Office of the President,
the NELRP program number is 93.908. |
Amendment Contract
An amendment contract is an optional
1-year extension of a 2-year NELRPcontract.
Basic Registered Nurse (RN) Education
Basic RN Education is nursing
education that qualifies the individual
to take the RN licensing examination (NCLEX-RN).
Commercial Loans
Commercial loans are defined as loans
made by banks, credit unions, savings
and loan associations, insurance companies,
schools and other financial or credit
institutions which are subject to examination
and supervision in their capacity as lenders
by an agency of the United States or of
the State in which the lender has its
principal place of business.
Contract
A written contract pursuant to
Section 846 of the Public Health Service
Act, as amended, under which (1) the participant
agrees to engage in a period of continuous
full-time employment as a registered nurse
at a CSF and (2) the Secretary agrees
to repay, in consideration of such service,
a percentage of the amount which is outstanding
on the participant's qualifying nursing
educational loans on the effective date
of the initial 2-year contract.
Critical Shortage Facility (CSF)
A CSF is a health care facility
which the Secretary has determined has
a critical shortage of nurses. See Section
C of this Guidance for information
on different types of CSFs.
Existing Service
Obligation
An obligation to work as a Registered
Nurse which is owed to and provided for
under an agreement with a CSF, Federal,
State, or local government or any other
entity, which will not be completely satisfied
by April 30, 2008 (e.g. an active duty
military obligation or existing commitment
to an institution for educational pay
back service or a sign-on bonus).
Full-Time
Full-time is defined as the provision
of nursing services for a minimum of 32
hours per week. No more than 7 weeks
per service year can be spent away from
the CSF for vacation, holidays, continuing
education, illness, maternity/paternity,
or any other reason. (Approved absences
totaling greater than 7 weeks in a 52-week
service year require an extension of the
contract end date.)
Funding Preference
Funding preference is defined
as the funding of a specific category
or group of approved applicants ahead
of other categories or groups of approved
applicants. See Section
E in this Application Guidance.
Government Loans
Government loans are loans that
are made by Federal, State, county or
city agencies which are authorized by
law to make such loans.
Greatest Financial Need
The greatest financial need funding
preference is met by applicants whose
total qualifying nursing education loans
are 40% or greater than their annualized
salary.
Holder
The commercial or government
institution that currently holds the promissory
note for the qualifying nursing education
loan.
Lender
The commercial or government institution
that initially made the qualifying nursing
education loan.
Nurse Licensure Compact
The mutual recognition model
of nurse licensure that allows an RN to
have a license in one State and to practice
in other States subject to each State's
practice law and regulation. Under mutual
recognition, an RN may practice in several
States unless otherwise restricted.
Nursing Education Loan Repayment
Program (NELRP)
The NELRP is authorized by Section
846 of the Public Health Service Act,
as amended. Under the NELRP, the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
provides financial assistance to qualified
applicants to repay a portion of their
qualifying loans, in exchange for their
full-time service as a registered nurse
at a CSF.
Post-Master’s Nursing Certificate
Program
A formal, post-graduate program
that admits RNs with master’s degrees
in nursing and, at completion, awards
a certificate and academic credit.
Qualified Applicant
A person who meets all of the
eligibility requirements set forth in
this Application Guidance.
Qualifying Loans
Qualifying loans are government
and commercial loans for actual costs
paid for reasonable educational and living
expenses incurred (1) while attending
a school of nursing where the applicant
obtained his/her qualifying nursing education,
and (2) while taking only nursing prerequisite
courses at schools other than the school(s)
of nursing where the applicant obtained
his/her qualifying nursing education,
provided that the applicant received academic
credit for those courses from the school
of nursing where the applicant obtained
his/her qualifying nursing education.
See Section H of this
Guidance for additional information on
which loans qualify for the NELRP.
Qualifying Nursing Education
Qualifying nursing education
includes completed undergraduate basic
RN education and completed graduate nursing
education (including post-master’s nursing
certificate programs) resulting in a baccalaureate
or associate degree in nursing (or an
equivalent degree), a diploma in nursing
or a graduate degree in nursing from an
accredited school of nursing.
Reasonable Educational Expenses
Reasonable educational expenses
are tuition, fees, books, supplies, laboratory
expenses, educational equipment and materials
for qualifying nursing education which
do not exceed the school’s estimated standard
student budget for educational expenses
for the participant’s degree program and
for the year(s) of that participant’s
enrollment.
Reasonable Living Expenses
Reasonable living expenses are
the costs of room and board, transportation
and commuting costs, and other costs which
do not exceed the school’s estimated standard
student budget for living expenses at
that school for the participant’s degree
program and for the year(s) of that participant’s
enrollment.
School of Nursing
The term “school of nursing”
means an accredited collegiate, associate
degree, or diploma school of nursing in
a State.
The Secretary
The Secretary of Health and Human
Services and any other officer or employee
of the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services to whom the authority to administer
the NELRP has been delegated.
State
Includes the 50 States, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern
Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands,
Guam, American Samoa, Palau, the Marshall
Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.
There is a serious shortage of nurses
at certain health care facilities in the
United States. The purpose of the NELRP
is to assist in the recruitment and retention
of professional Registered Nurses (RNs)
dedicated to providing health care in
facilities with a crucial shortage of
nurses and to provide an opportunity for
RNs to consider a career in such facilities.
The program offers RNs substantial economic
assistance to repay a portion of their
qualifying nursing education loans in
exchange for full-time service at a health
care facility with a critical shortage
of nurses.
The NELRP award process is administered
by the Division of Applications and Awards,
Nursing Education Loan Repayment Branch
(NELRB), within the Bureau of Clinician
Recruitment and Service (BCRS), Health
Resources and Services Administration
(HRSA). HRSA is an agency of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services
(DHHS). The Division of Scholar and Clinician
Support (DSCS) within BCRS monitors NELRP
participants while serving at CSFs, reviews
and approves or denies requests for service
transfers, and determines if participants
have completed their service commitment. The
Legal and Compliance Office within BCRS
reviews participant compliance, handles
default determinations, and reviews and
approves or denies requests for suspensions
and waivers.
1)
2-Year Service Requirement
All NELRP participants must enter into
a contract agreeing to work full-time
(at least 32 hours per week) in an approved
CSF for 2 consecutive years. In exchange,
the NELRP will pay 30 percent of the participant's
total qualifying loan balance for each
service year (total of 60 percent). All
loan repayments paid to the participant
after Federal tax withholding must be
used by the participant to repay qualifying
loans for qualifying nursing education.
The participant’s payments to his/her
lenders or holders are subject to verification
by the government.
2)
Optional Service Obligation (1-year Contract
Amendment)
A participant may be eligible to amend
his/her 2-year NELRP contract to serve
for a third (optional) consecutive year
at a CSF. If a participant enters into
an optional amendment contract and works
full-time for a third year in a CSF, the
NELRP will pay an additional 25 percent
of the participant's original qualifying
nursing education loan balance.
For more details about how to request
and qualify for an amendment contract,
see Section J
of this Guidance. All loan repayments
paid to the participant after Federal
tax withholding must be used by the participant
to repay qualifying loans for qualifying
nursing education. The participant’s
payments to his/her lenders or holders
are subject to verification by the government.
1)
Types of Eligible Critical Shortage Facilities
A NELRP participant is required to serve
full-time as an RN at a CSF. The following
types of health care facilities are CSFs:
- Disproportionate
Share Hospital (DSH) –
A nonprofit hospital that: 1) has a
disproportionately large share of low-income
patients; and 2) receives (a) an augmented
payment from the States under Medicaid;
or (b) a payment adjustment from Medicare.
Hospital-based outpatient services are
included under this definition.
- Federal Hospital
– Any Federal institution in a State
that is primarily engaged in providing,
by or under the supervision of physicians,
to inpatients: (a) diagnostic and therapeutic
services for medical diagnosis, treatment,
and care of injured, disabled, or sick
persons; or (b) rehabilitation of injured,
disabled, or sick persons. Hospital-based
outpatient services are included under
this definition.
- Non-Federal Non-Disproportionate
Share Hospital – Any public
or private nonprofit institution in
a State that is primarily engaged in
providing, by or under the supervision
of physicians, to inpatients: (a) diagnostic
and therapeutic services for medical
diagnosis, treatment, and care of injured,
disabled, or sick persons, or (b) rehabilitation
of injured, disabled, or sick persons.
Hospital-based outpatient services are
included under this definition.
- Ambulatory
Surgical Center – A nonprofit
entity in a State that provides surgical
services to individuals on an outpatient
basis and is not owned or operated by
a hospital.
- Federally Designated Community
Health Center – A nonprofit
entity that is receiving a grant, or
funding from a grant, under section
330(e) of the Public Health Service
Act, as amended, to provide primary
health services and other related services
to a population that is medically underserved.
- Federally Designated Migrant
Health Center – A nonprofit
entity that is receiving a grant, or
funding from a grant, under section
330(g) of the Public Health Service
Act, as amended, to provide primary
health services and other related services
to migratory and seasonal agricultural
workers.
- Federally Designated Health
Care for the Homeless Health Center
– A nonprofit entity that is receiving
a grant, or funding from a grant, under
section 330(h) of the Public Health
Service Act, as amended, to provide
primary health services and other related
services to homeless individuals.
- Federally Qualified Health
Center Look-Alike – A nonprofit
entity that is certified by the Secretary
as meeting the requirements for receiving
a grant under section 330(e), 330(g),
or 330(h) of the Public Health Service
Act, but is not a grantee.
- Home Health Agency
– A public agency or private nonprofit
organization, certified under section
1861(o) of the Social Security Act,
that is primarily engaged in providing
skilled nursing care and other therapeutic
services.
- Hospice Program
– A public agency or private nonprofit
organization, certified under section
1861(dd)(2) of the Social Security Act,
that provides 24-hour care and treatment
services (as needed) to terminally ill
individuals and their families. This
care is provided in individuals’ homes,
on an outpatient basis, and on a short-term
inpatient basis, directly or under arrangements
made by the agency or organization.
- Indian Health Service Health
Center – A nonprofit health
care facility (whether operated directly
by the Indian Health Service or operated
by a tribe or tribal organization, contractor
or grantee under the Indian Self-Determination
Act, as described in 42 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) Part 136, Subparts
C and H, or by an urban Indian organization
receiving funds under Title V of the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act)
that is physically separated from a
hospital, and which provides clinical
treatment services on an outpatient
basis to persons of Indian or Alaskan
Native descent as described in 42 CFR
Section 136.12.
- Native Hawaiian Health
Center – A nonprofit entity
(a) which is organized under the laws
of the State of Hawaii; (b) which provides
or arranges for health care services
through practitioners licensed by the
State of Hawaii, where licensure requirements
are applicable; (c) which is a public
or nonprofit private entity; and (d)
in which Native Hawaiian health practitioners
significantly participate in the planning,
management, monitoring, and evaluation
of health services. See the Native
Hawaiian Health Care Act of 1988 (Public
Law 100-579), as amended by Public Law
102-396.
- Nursing Home
– A public or private nonprofit institution
(or a distinct part of an institution),
certified under section 1919(a) of the
Social Security Act, that is primarily
engaged in providing, on a regular basis,
health-related care and service to individuals
who because of their mental or physical
condition require care and service (above
the level of room and board) that can
be made available to them only through
institutional facilities, and is not
primarily for the care and treatment
of mental diseases.
- Rural Health Clinic
– A public or private nonprofit entity
that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services has certified as a rural health
clinic under section 1861(aa)(2) of
the Social Security Act. A rural health
clinic provides outpatient services
to a non-urban area with an insufficient
number of health care practitioners.
- Skilled Nursing Facility
– An public or private nonprofit institution
(or a distinct part of an institution),
certified under section 1819(a) of the
Social Security Act, that is primarily
engaged in providing skilled nursing
care and related services to residents
requiring medical, rehabilitation or
nursing care and is not primarily for
the care and treatment of mental diseases.
- State or Local Public
Health Department including a Public
Health Clinic within the Department
– The State, county, parish or district
entity in a State that is responsible
for providing population focused health
services which include health promotion,
disease prevention and intervention
services provided in clinics that are
operated by the health department.
If an applicant is not sure whether a
facility fits into one of the categories
above, please contact the NELRP at: callcenter@hrsa.gov or 1-800-221-9393.
2)
Ineligible Facilities
Ineligible facilities include, but are
not limited to:
- Free Standing Clinics that do not
qualify as one of the above CSFs;
- Renal Dialysis Centers;
- Private Practice Offices;
- Assisted Living Facilities; and
- Private For-Profit Facilities. (Note:
After Fiscal Year 2007 (i.e., September
30, 2007), the Secretary may not, pursuant
to any contract, approve a nurse to
serve at any private entity unless that
entity is nonprofit)
An individual is eligible to participate
if he/she:
- Has received a baccalaureate or associate
degree in nursing (or an equivalent
degree), a diploma in nursing or a graduate
degree in nursing from an accredited
school of nursing in a State;
- Has outstanding qualifying loans obtained
for qualifying nursing education leading
to a degree or diploma in nursing as
specified above;
- Has completed the nursing education
program for which the loan balance applies;
- Is a U.S. citizen, U.S. national,
or a lawful permanent resident of the
U.S.;
- Is employed full-time (32 hours or
more per week) at a CSF;
- Has a current permanent unrestricted
license as an RN in the State in which
he/she intends to practice or is authorized
to practice in that State pursuant to
the Nurse Licensure Compact (Please
refer to the Nurse
Licensure Compact State listing);
and
- Has submitted a complete electronic
application, all required supplemental
forms, and all required supporting documentation
by the application deadline.
NOTE: Individuals in the Reserve components
of the Armed Forces or National Guard
are eligible to participate. For additional
information, please see Section
I.2 of this Guidance.
An individual is NOT eligible to participate
if he/she:
- Has a judgment lien against his/her
property for a debt owed to the United
States. Debtors with judgment liens
for Federal debts are ineligible to
receive Federal financial assistance;
- Has an existing service obligation
(see Definition
of Terms) that will not be satisfied
on or before Wednesday, April 30, 2008);
- Has breached an obligation for professional
service to a Federal, State, or local
government entity;
- Is currently in default of a Federal
debt (e.g., student loans, delinquent
taxes, etc.);
- Works for nurse staffing agencies
or travel nurse agencies;
- Works on an "as needed"
basis (this includes PRNs, Pool Nurses,
or other RNs who are not scheduled in
a full-time capacity by NELRP definition);
- Has a temporary or inactive RN license;
- Is a licensed practical/vocational
nurse;
- Is a nursing faculty member employed
full-time in an educational institution;
or
- Is self-employed.
The number of qualified applicants exceeds
available NELRP funding. The program
uses funding preferences to determine
the sequential order in which qualified
applicants are considered for an award.
As provided in section 846(e) of the Public
Health Service Act, as amended, a funding
preference will be given to qualified
applicants with greatest financial need,
which the NELRP defines as those applicants
whose total qualifying nursing education
loans are 40% or greater than their annualized
salary. In addition, a funding preference
is given to RNs working in the types of
heath care facilities that have the most
severe nursing shortage. Applicants are
grouped into one of the preference levels
described below based on their debt to
salary ratio and place of employment.
Awards are made to applicants starting
with the first preference category described
below by decreasing qualifying nursing
education debt to salary ratio until funds
are expended.
QUALIFYING NURSING EDUCATION DEBT ÷ SALARY
= 40% or GREATER
- First Preference for Funding
will be given to applicants with greatest
financial need working in the following
types of CSFs: Disproportionate Share
Hospital (DSH); Nursing Home; State
or Local Public Health Department including
a Public Health Clinic within these
Departments; Federally Designated Community
Health Center; Federally Designated
Migrant Health Center; Indian Health
Service Health Center or Rural Health
Clinic.
- Second Preference for
Funding will be given to
applicants with greatest financial need
working in the following types of CSFs:
Federally Designated Health Care for
the Homeless Health Center; Native Hawaiian
Health Center or Non-Federal non-DSH.
- Third Preference for Funding
will be given to applicants with the
greatest financial need working in the
following types of CSFs: Federally
Qualified Health Center Look-Alike;
Ambulatory Surgical Center; Home Health
Agency; Hospice; Skilled Nursing Facility
or Federal Hospital.
QUALIFYING NURSING EDUCATION DEBT ÷ SALARY
= LESS THAN 40%
- Fourth Preference for Funding
will be given to applicants regardless
of financial need working in the following
types of CSFs: Disproportionate Share
Hospital (DSH); Nursing Home; State
or Local Public Health Department including
a Public Health Clinic within these
Departments; Federally Designated Community
Health Center; Federally Designated
Migrant Health Center; Indian Health
Service Health Center or Rural Health
Clinic.
- Fifth Preference for Funding
will be given to applicants regardless
of financial need working in the following
types of CSFs: Federally Designated
Health Care for the Homeless Health
Center; Native Hawaiian Health Center
or Non-Federal non-DSH.
- Sixth Preference for Funding
will be given to applicants regardless
of financial need working in the following
types of CSFs: Federally Qualified
Health Center Look-Alike; Ambulatory
Surgical Center; Home Health Agency;
Hospice; Skilled Nursing Facility or
Federal Hospital.
The NELRP will provide funds to program
participants to repay a portion of their
outstanding qualifying nursing education
loans. Recipients of NELRP contracts
receive the following benefits:
- For the first year of service, the
NELRP will pay participants 30 percent
of their total qualifying loan balance(s)
for qualifying nursing education, as
of the effective date of the contract.
- For a second year of service, the
NELRP will pay participants 30 percent
of their total qualifying loan balance(s)
for qualifying nursing education, as
of the effective date of the contract.
- For a third year of service, the
NELRP will pay participants 25 percent
of their original qualifying loan balance(s)
for qualifying nursing education, as
of the effective date of their initial
2-year contract. See Section
J.2 of this Guidance.
The NELRP participant will receive salary
and benefits from the employing CSF or
professional group. Employment compensation
packages are negotiated between the nurse
and the employer. The CSF cannot
guarantee a NELRP contract award. Therefore,
the NELRP loan repayments should not be
part of the salary negotiations between
the nurse and the employer.
The DHHS disburses each monthly payment
through an electronic funds transfer to
the participant's checking or savings
account identified on the ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous
Payment Enrollment Form submitted by the
applicant. The first direct deposit is
made approximately 30 days after the effective
date of the contract. It is the participant's
responsibility to use the NELRP payments
(the amounts received by the participant
after Federal tax withholding) to pay
the lenders or holders of qualifying nursing
education loans. Periodically, the NELRP
may contact a participant’s lenders or
holders to verify that payments have been
made. Please note that, unlike some other
Federal programs, the NELRP does not provide
any tax assistance payments.
Participants must immediately notify
the DSCS in writing of any changes in
mailing address, email address, name,
or financial institution (bank) information
to ensure an uninterrupted flow of loan
repayment funds. In the case of a name
change, please provide legal documentation,
such as a copy of a marriage certificate.
Please send your request to Division of
Scholar and Clinician Support, Room 8A-19,
5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857.
If for any reason a participant does
not receive a scheduled payment, the participant
should call the NELRP as soon as possible
at 1-800-221-9393 or email callcenter@hrsa.gov.
Please be advised that if the NELRP has
any questions concerning a participant’s
eligibility for continuing payments, the
NELRP will delay payments pending clarification
of the participant’s eligibility status.
NOTE: Under the Treasury Offset Program,
the Department of the Treasury is authorized
to offset NELRP payments for delinquent
Federal and State debts and delinquent
court-ordered child support payments.
In keeping with the President’s Executive
Orders concerning compliance with child
support orders, the NELRP stresses the
importance of honoring any child support
obligations the participant may have.
1)
Loans Eligible for Repayment
A NELRP participant will receive funds
to repay a portion of the outstanding
principal of, and interest on, qualifying
loans (see Definition
of Terms) obtained by the participant,
at the time of the participant's undergraduate
and/or graduate nursing education, to
pay for:
- Tuition, fees, and other reasonable
educational expenses (see Definition
of Terms) for qualifying nursing
education; and
- Reasonable living expenses (see Definition
of Terms) incurred for qualifying
nursing education.
2)
Examples of Eligible Loans
- Nursing Student Loans;
- Stafford Loans; and
- Supplemental Loans for Students.
3)
Examples of Loans Not Eligible
- Loans for which the applicant has
an Existing Service Obligation (see
Definition of
Terms);
- Loans obtained for training in vocational
or practical nursing (LVN/LPN);
- Loans obtained from family members
or private institutions not subject
to Federal or State examination and
supervision as lenders;
- Loans made prior to or after the
applicant's qualifying nursing education;
- Loans obtained for non-nursing education.
- Loans that have been paid in full;
- Any portion of a consolidated/refinanced
educational loan that is not clearly
identified as being for reasonable educational
expenses and reasonable living expenses
incurred for qualifying nursing education
by the applicant (See Definition
of Terms).
- Consolidated/refinanced educational
loans that include another person’s
loans;
- Credit card payments for nursing
education expenses are not qualifying
loans;
- Parent Plus Loans;
- Federal Perkins Loans (unless the
applicant can provide documentation
as indicated in Section
M.3 (Instructions for Providing
Required Supporting Documentation) that
such loans are not subject to cancellation);
and
Participants are expected to complete
their full contract service obligation
at their initial service site. Should
participants become unable to complete
their obligation at their initial NELRP
service site, they must continue their
service at another eligible approved CSF.
When a participant desires a transfer,
a written request must be submitted to
the Division of Scholar and Clinician
Support (DSCS) for approval before
the participant leaves his or her current
service site. The participant must also
obtain and submit a letter/certification
from the desired transfer site as set
forth in Section
M.3 of this Guidance, which documents
the CSF’s status as a first funding preference
facility at the time the transfer request
is made. If a participant transfers to
a new location, moving expenses will not
be paid.
1)
Transfers
ALL TRANSFER SITES MUST BE APPROVED
BY THE DIVISION OF SCHOLAR AND CLINICIAN
SUPPORT. FAILURE TO RECEIVE PRIOR APPROVAL
WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF
PAYMENTS UNTIL THE DSCS STAFF RECEIVES
VERIFICATION OF EMPLOYMMENT AT AN ELIGIBLE
TRANSFER FACILITY AND APPROVES THE TRANSFER.
CONTINUED FAILURE TO DOCUMENT FULL-TIME
EMPLOYMENT AT AN APPROVED CSF MAY RESULT
IN THE PARTICIPANT BEING RECOMMENDED FOR
DEFAULT OF HIS/HER CONTRACT.
The following requirements apply to participants
who request a transfer:
- In order for the DSCS to approve the
participant’s transfer; the participant
must transfer to one of the types of
CSFs that is included in the first funding
preference at the time the participant
makes the transfer request.
- Participants who transfer from one
CSF to another may not incur a service
obligation to the new facility or employer
while participating in the NELRP.
- If there is no break in service between
the initial site and the approved transfer
site, the NELRP will continue to make
loan repayments to the participant.
However, if the participant fails to
resume service within 30 days of the
stop-work date at the initial CSF, the
NELRP will stop all loan repayments.
Once the participant has commenced full-time
service at another approved CSF, loan
repayments will be resumed as appropriate
and the service end date will be extended
to account for the entire service obligation
period.
- If a NELRP participant ceases full-time
employment at the initial site and does
not resume service at an eligible approved
CSF within 60 days, the participant
will be recommended for default of his/her
NELRP obligation.
A participant’s request for transfer
approvals must be submitted to the DSCS
staff in writing. The request should
include the reason for the transfer, a
letter/certification from the CSF regarding
the CSF’s status as a first preference
facility and indicating if the facility
is a private nonprofit, private for profit,
or public/government owned, and be mailed
to the following address:
U. S. Department of Health and Human
Services
Health Resources and Services Administration
Bureau of Clinician Recruitment and Service
Division of Scholar and Clinician Support
5600 Fishers Lane; Room 8A-55
Rockville, MD 20857
Participants with questions may call
1-800-221-9393 or email: callcenter@hrsa.gov.
2)
Members of a Reserve Component of the
Armed Forces
Individuals in the Reserve component
of the Armed Forces or National Guard
are eligible to participate in the NELRP.
However, reservists should understand
the following:
- If a reservist is away from the NELRP
service site due to military training
and/or service, the time away will be
combined with the participant’s other
absences from the service site during
that service year. If the reservist’s
military training and/or service, in
combination with all other absences
from the service site does not exceed
7 weeks per service year, no further
action is necessary.
- If a reservist’s military training
and/or service (including a call to
active duty), in combination with all
other absences from the NELRP service
site, will exceed 7 weeks per service
year, the reservist must notify the
DSCS immediately and submit a written
request for a suspension of the NELRP
service obligation (see Section
L of this Guidance). The suspension
request should include documentation
of the reservist’s training or call
to active duty orders. The NELRP payments
will be stopped while the reservist
is on an approved suspension and will
resume when the reservist returns to
full-time service. The NELRP service
obligation will be extended to account
for the break in service due to the
reserve or active duty obligation.
- If the CSF where the reservist was
serving at the time of deployment is
unable to reemploy that reservist, the
reservist will be expected to complete
his/her NELRP service obligation at
another an eligible approved CSF. The
reservist must contact the DSCS and
request a transfer, and receive approval,
in accordance with the transfer policy
(see Section I.1
of this Guidance) prior to commencing
employment at the facility. If the
reservist fails to resume service at
an eligible approved CSF within 60 days
of the end of the deployment or such
longer time as law may allow, the reservist
will be recommended for default of his/her
NELRP obligation.
1) Initial
Contract
A 2-year contract must be signed and
returned to the Division of Applications
and Awards, Nursing Education Loan Repayment
Branch along with all required supplemental
forms and all required supporting documentation
(see Section M of
this Guidance).
If the applicant is selected for participation
into the NELRP, the contract is signed
by the Secretary or his/her designee.
A copy of the signed participant’s executed
contract, a payment authorization worksheet,
and award letter will be sent to the participant
no later than October 31, 2008.
The applicant’s contract will not be
signed by the Secretary or his/her designee
unless all REQUIRED information on the
application, required supplemental forms,
and required supporting documentation
has been provided, a complete application
package has been received by the application
deadline, and the applicant has been approved
to receive a NELRP award by the Division
of Applications and Awards, Nursing Education
Loan Repayment Branch. A Checklist describing
the application materials is included
in this Guidance for your convenience.
PLEASE NOTE: A signed NELRP
contract that does not contain the 12
terms and conditions on one sheet of white
paper (8 ½ inch x 11 inch) will not be
accepted.
PLEASE NOTE: The participant's
service obligation to the NELRP officially
begins on the date the contract is signed
by the Secretary or his/her designee.
If the participant fails to commence service
on the effective date of the contract,
he/she will be placed in default of the
contract.
2)
Amendment Contract
Participants who receive a 2-year contract
may be eligible to amend their NELRP contract
to serve for a third consecutive year
under the following conditions:
- The participant must notify
the Nursing Education Loan Repayment
Program in writing, at least 6 months
prior to the end of the second service
year, that the participant wishes to
amend the NELRP contract for a third
year.
- The participant must continue to serve
at an eligible approved CSF. If the
participant's current site is no longer
a nonprofit CSF, an amendment contract
will not be awarded. If such a participant
wishes to continue in the NELRP, he/she
must request prior approval for a transfer
(see Section I
of this Guidance). If a participant
transfers to a new location, moving
expenses will not be paid.
- The NELRP payments received under
the NELRP 2-year contract must have
been applied to reduce the original
qualifying nursing education loan balances,
as indicated on the payment authorization
worksheet that participants will receive
with their award letter. A participant's
loan balances will be verified and a
payment history from his/her lender(s)/holder(s)
will be required to show that all NELRP
funds received previously were applied
toward the approved qualifying loans
during the contract period. Failure
to apply the loan payments to reduce
the original qualifying nursing education
loans will result in the denial of a
request for an amendment contract.
- The participant must not have an existing
service obligation to the CSF or another
entity.
Participants who meet the above requirements
and are approved to receive an amendment
contract will receive payments equal to
an additional 25 percent of their original
qualifying nursing education loan balance.
The amendment contract will not be effective
until the participant has completed his/her
2-year service period under the initial
contract. The amendment contract service
period must begin immediately following
the completion of the initial service
commitment (i.e., no break in service
between the 2-year initial contract and
the 1-year amendment contract is allowed).
There is no guarantee that a 2-year service
commitment contract will be amended beyond
the initial 2 years. Applicants for contract
amendments must continue to meet the program
eligibility criteria, must be in full
compliance with their existing NELRP service
obligation, must be planning to work for
the duration of the contract amendment
at an eligible approved CSF, and must
have applied all NELRP payments previously
received to reduce their qualifying loans.
Award of amendment contracts is subject
to the availability of funds.
The following applies to participants
who breach their NELRP contract:
- Effect of Not Completing 2 Years of
Service - A participant who fails to
complete 2 years of full-time service
at an approved CSF is liable to repay
all the NELRP payments received (including
amounts withheld for Federal taxes),
plus interest at the maximum legal prevailing
rate. Breach of the contract will permanently
disqualify the individual from receiving
future awards under the NELRP and some
other Federal programs.
- Effect of Not Completing Third Year
of Service - A participant who enters
into an amendment contract agreeing
to provide a third consecutive year
of full-time service at an approved
CSF but fails to do so is liable to
repay all NELRP payments received for
the third year of service (including
amounts withheld for Federal taxes),
plus interest at the maximum legal prevailing
rate. Breach of the contract will permanently
disqualify the individual from receiving
future awards under the NELRP and some
other Federal programs.
- Payment of Debt Due Within 3 Years
- Any indebtedness owed to the Federal
government, under the paragraphs above,
is due within 3 years of the participant's
service breach date. The debt amount
will be subject to interest at the maximum
legal prevailing rate from the date
of the breach until paid in full. Other
charges and penalties for delinquent
or past due payments may be assessed.
A participant may seek a waiver or suspension
of the service or payment obligation incurred
under a NELRP contract by submitting a
written request to the Secretary setting
forth the basis, circumstances, and causes
which support the requested action. The
Secretary may waive (where the basis is
permanent) or suspend (where the basis
is temporary) any service or payment obligation
incurred by a participant whenever compliance
by the participant: 1) is impossible,
or 2) would involve an extreme hardship
such that enforcement of the obligation
would be unconscionable.
- Compliance by a participant with a
service or payment obligation will be
considered impossible if the Secretary
determines, on the basis of information
and documentation as may be required,
that the participant suffers from a
physical or mental disability resulting
in the temporary or permanent inability
of the participant to perform the service
or other activities which would be necessary
to comply with the obligation.
- In determining whether compliance
with the service or payment obligation
would impose an extreme hardship, the
Secretary, on the basis of information
and documentation as may be required,
will consider:
- The participant's present financial
resources and obligations;
- The participant's estimated future
financial resources and obligations;
and
- The extent to which the participant
has problems of a personal nature,
such as physical or mental disability,
or a terminal illness in the immediate
family, which so intrude on the
participant's present and future
ability to perform as to raise a
presumption that the individual
will be unable to temporarily or
permanently perform the required
service or payment obligation.
Suspensions for Personal Medical
Reasons, Family Medical Leave, Reservist
Deployments, or Maternity/Paternity
If a participant has problems of a personal
nature (such as a physical or mental disability
or terminal illness in the immediate family)
or goes on maternity/paternity leave and
such situations will cause the participant
to be away from the NELRP service site
for more than 7 weeks per service year
in conjunction with all his/her other
absences from the site for any other reason
(e.g., vacation, holidays, continuing
education, temporary illness), the participant
must immediately notify the DSCS at 1-800-221-9393
(toll free) or email callcenter@hrsa.gov
and submit a written request for a suspension
to the DSCS at the address below.
If the participant’s request for a suspension
is approved, his/her NELRP payments will
resume when he/she returns to full-time
service, and the service end date will
be extended to account for the break in
full-time service. If the participant
does not qualify for a suspension, he/she
may be recommended for default.
Cancellation
Upon receipt by DSCS of a death certificate
for a participant, the NELRP service or
payment obligation will be cancelled.
Requests for suspensions and waivers
and cancellations should be submitted
to:
Division of Scholar and Clinician Support
Clinician Service Support Branch
5600 Fishers Lane; Room 8A-55
Rockville, MD 20857
To apply for a NELRP contract, you must
submit a complete application package
consisting of: 1) a NELRP Application;
2) all required Supplemental Forms; and
3) all required Supporting Documentation:
- Electronic NELRP Application
- Supplemental Forms (all of the following
forms are required)
- Completed Loan Information and
Verification Form(s)
- Completed Employment Verification
Form
- Completed Authorization for Release
of Employment Information Form
- Completed ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous
Payment Enrollment Form
- Completed NELRP Contract
- Completed and signed Checklist
-
Supporting Documentation
- If you were born outside of the
U.S., documentation of your status
as a U.S. citizen, U.S. National,
or Lawful Permanent Resident
- Letter/Certification from CSF
(required for all applicants)
- Statement from Professional Group
(if applicable)
Instructions for completing these three
components are provided in the following
three sections. If any of the materials/documents
described below are not included with
the application, if required documents
are not signed or are otherwise incomplete,
or if the contract, forms and documents
are not clearly printed on separate sheets
of white 8 ½ inch x 11 inch paper, the
application will be deemed incomplete
and will not be processed further for
consideration for a NELRP award.
SEND ORIGINAL FORMS OR DOCUMENTS AS
REQUIRED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW. HOWEVER,
DO NOT SEND ORIGINAL PROMISSORY NOTES,
LOAN CONSOLIDATION FORMS, OR PROOF OF
CITIZENSHIP DOCUMENTS THAT CANNOT BE REPLACED.
DOCUMENTS MUST BE RETAINED IN AN OFFICIAL
FILE AND WILL NOT BE RETURNED. All
mailed required supplemental forms and
supporting documentation MUST be postmarked
by April 30, 2008.
1)
Instructions for Completing the NELRP
Electronic Application
Please read this entire Application
Guidance to determine your eligibility
for participation.
Instructions for completing the
web-based application are provided as
necessary, when you are entering your
application information electronically.
All required Supplemental
Forms and required Supporting Documentation
must be submitted in hard copy and mailed
to:
Division of Applications and Awards
Nursing Education Loan Repayment Branch
c/o Focal Point Consulting Group
1025 Vermont Avenue, NW Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
2)
Instructions for Completing Required Supplemental
Forms
Loan Information and Verification
Form(s)
Applicants must complete a Loan Information
and Verification Form (Loan Form) for
each lender (or holder) for the nursing
education loan(s) they wish to be considered
for repayment. This form also authorizes
the NELRP to request loan information
from the applicant’s lender(s) or holder(s)
and authorizes the lender(s) or holder(s)
to release information about the applicant’s
loan(s) to the NELRP. (If additional
forms are needed, please download/print
them or photocopy the form).
Be sure to include the most current lender
(or holder) of the loan and the lender's
(or holder's) complete address and telephone
number. Provide the lender’s (or holder’s)
automated access telephone number that
will permit the NELRP to obtain loan information
for verification purposes. The most current
balance of each loan -- principal and
interest -- must be determined as accurately
as possible and reported on the Loan Form.
Please include ALL loan balances for
undergraduate and/or graduate nursing
education with the initial application.
Only those loan balances submitted with
the initial application will be considered
for an award.
Applicants who have consolidated/refinanced
their loans must provide either (1) a
copy of their promissory note(s) for the
original loan(s) or (2) a copy of the
consolidated promissory note from the
current lender(s) that shows, for each
loan being consolidated, the amount, date
of original disbursement, and type of
loan. NOTE: Master Promissory Notes are
not acceptable because they do not provide
the required information (i.e., original
loan dates and amounts). Examples of
qualifying loans are provided in Section
H of this Guidance. Please note that
for consolidated/refinanced loans, copies
of promissory notes submitted must clearly
identify the original loans that were
for eligible costs of nursing education.
If an eligible educational loan is consolidated/refinanced
with any debt of a person other than the
applicant, no portion of the consolidated/refinanced
loan will be eligible for loan repayment.
If undergraduate or graduate nursing
educational loans have been consolidated
or refinanced, the documentation noted
above is required to establish that the
loans coincide with the nursing education
periods stated on the Application.
Applicants who have Perkins loans that
are not eligible for cancellation must
provide documentation (a) from the school
that the loans are not subject to cancellation
under 34 C.F.R. Part 674, or (b) from
the current lender or holder indicating
that the Perkins loans were consolidated
and paid off.
Employment Verification Form
The applicant’s employer must fill out
this form completely and return it to
the applicant for submission with the
other application materials. Please
note that while the employer is responsible
for completing the form, the applicant
is responsible for assuring that all information
is entered accurately, and the applicant
is responsible for the timely submission
of the completed form.
Authorization for Release
of Employment Information Form
This form must be completed by the applicant
to authorize the release of information
regarding the applicant’s employment status
to the NELRP. If the applicant is awarded
a NELRP contract, his/her employment status
will be verified semiannually.
ACH Vendor/Miscellaneous Payment Enrollment
Form
This form must be completed to transmit
the monthly NELRP disbursements via electronic
funds transfer (direct deposit) to the
participant’s bank account.
NELRP Contract
Before signing the NELRP contract, an
applicant should carefully review all
12 terms and conditions to be certain
that he/she fully understands the obligations
of a NELRP participant and the Secretary
as described in the contract. In particular,
an applicant should carefully review paragraph
7 relating to breaching the contract and
paragraph 9 relating to a waiver or suspension
of the obligation. The applicant’s signature
alone on this contract does not constitute
a contractual agreement. This
contract becomes legally binding only
when signed by the Secretary or his/her
designee, which will occur between July
2008 and September 2008, if the applicant
receives a NELRP award.
No service credit will be given
for employment at a CSF before the effective
date of a NELRP contract award. The effective
date of a contract award is the date the
contract is countersigned by the Secretary
or his/her designee.
The complete contract (header,
signature blocks, and all 12 terms and
conditions) must be included on one 8
½ x 11 inch piece of paper. A signed
NELRP contract that does not meet these
requirements is not acceptable and will
result in the applicant not being considered
for a NELRP award.
Completed Checklist
The Checklist assists applicants and
the NELRP staff in verifying the completeness
of the application. Return the checklist
along with all of the other required application
materials. Carefully read the statement
at the bottom of the checklist. The statement
must be signed for the application to
be considered complete.
3)
Instructions for Providing Required Supporting
Documentation
Documentation of Status as
a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful
Permanent Resident
Applicants born outside of the United
States must provide proof of U.S. citizenship
or status as a U.S. National or Lawful
Permanent Resident (e.g., a copy of a
U.S. Passport ID page or Green Card).
Letter/Certification from
CSF Verifying its Status (Original Letters
Only)
All applicants must provide
a letter/certification from the facility
verifying its status as one of the types
of CSFs specified in Section
C of this Guidance. Letters
must also indicate if the facility is
private nonprofit, private for profit,
or public/government owed.
NOTE: Letters
from sites must be dated after April 1,
2008 when the application cycle begins.
Letters that are not dated or dated before
the application cycle begins will not
be accepted.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a Disproportionate Share Hospital
(DSH) (see Types of Critical
Shortage Facilities) must obtain
a letter (on original letterhead, signed
by an appropriate hospital official)
verifying the hospital’s current
status as a DSH. A report listing of
DSH facilities is not acceptable.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a Federally Designated Community
Health Center, Federally Designated
Migrant Health Center, Federally Designated
Health Care for the Homeless Health
Center, Federally Qualified Health Center
Look-Alike, Indian Health Service Health
Center, or Rural Health Clinic, must
obtain a letter (on original letterhead,
signed by an appropriate facility official)
or a copy of an official certificate
from the facility verifying, as applicable,
that it is (a) the recipient of a Federal
grant as described in Section
C of this Guidance, or (b) receives
funds from another organization under
a grant as described in Section
C of this Guidance, or (c) is certified
as specified in Section
C of this Guidance.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a Nursing Home must obtain a letter
(on original letterhead, signed by an
appropriate facility official) verifying
that the facility is an institution
(or a distinct part of an institution),
certified under section 1919(a) of the
Social Security Act, and is primarily
engaged in providing, on a regular basis,
health-related care and services as
specified in Section
C of this Guidance.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a State or Local Public Health Department,
including a Public Health Clinic within
the Department, must obtain a letter
(on original letterhead, signed by an
appropriate facility official) verifying
that the facility is a State, county,
parish, or district entity responsible
for providing population focused heath
services as specified in Section
C of this Guidance.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a Federal Hospital must obtain a
letter (on original letterhead, signed
by an appropriate facility official)
verifying the facility is primarily
engaged in providing, by or under the
supervision of physicians, to inpatients:
(a) diagnostic and therapeutic services
for medical diagnosis, treatment, and
care of injured, disabled, or sick persons,
or (b) rehabilitation of injured, disabled,
or sick persons. Hospital-based outpatient
services are included under this definition
as specified in Section
C of this Guidance.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a Non-Federal Non-Disproportionate
Share Hospital must obtain a letter
(on original letterhead, signed by an
appropriate facility official) verifying
that the facility is a public or private
institution in a State and is primarily
engaged in providing, by or under the
supervision of physicians, to inpatients:
(a) diagnostic and therapeutic services
for medical diagnosis, treatment, and
care of injured, disabled, or sick persons,
or (b) rehabilitation of injured, disabled,
or sick persons. Hospital-based outpatient
services are included under this definition
as specified in Section
C of this Guidance.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a Ambulatory Surgical Center must
obtain a letter (on original letterhead,
signed by an appropriate facility official)
verifying that the facility is in a
State and provides surgical services
to individuals on an outpatient basis
and is not owned or operated by a hospital
as specified in Section
C of this Guidance.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a Home Health Agency must obtain
a letter (on original letterhead, signed
by an appropriate facility official)
verifying that the facility is a public
agency or private organization, certified
under section 1861(o) of the Social
Security Act, that is primarily engaged
in providing skilled nursing care and
other therapeutic services as specified
in Section C of this
Guidance.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a Hospice Program must obtain a letter
(on original letterhead, signed by an
appropriate facility official) verifying
that the facility is a public agency
or private organization, certified under
section 1861(dd)(2) of the Social Security
Act, that provides 24-hour care and
treatment services (as needed) to terminally
ill individuals and their families.
This care is provided in individuals’
homes, on an outpatient basis, and on
a short-term inpatient basis, directly
or under arrangements made by the agency
or organization as specified in Section
C of this Guidance.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a Native Hawaiian Health Center must
obtain a letter (on original letterhead,
signed by an appropriate facility official)
verifying that the facility is an entity
(a) which is organized under the laws
of the State of Hawaii; (b) which provides
or arranges for health care services
through practitioners licensed by the
State of Hawaii, where licensure requirements
are applicable; (c) which is a public
or nonprofit private entity; and (d)
in which Native Hawaiian health practitioners
significantly participate in the planning,
management, monitoring, and evaluation
of health services as specified in Section
C of this Guidance.
- An applicant who is employed or works
for a professional group that practices
at a Skilled Nursing Facility must obtain
a letter (on original letterhead, signed
by an appropriate facility official)
verifying that the facility is an institution
(or a distinct part of an institution),
certified under section 1819(a) of the
Social Security Act, that is primarily
engaged in providing skilled nursing
care and related services to residents
requiring medical, rehabilitation or
nursing care and is not primarily for
the care and treatment of mental diseases
as specified in Section
C of this Guidance.
Statement from Professional
Group (if applicable)
Advanced nurse practitioners (CRNAs,
CNMs, NPs) employed by a professional
group that practices at a CSF must provide
a written statement from the professional
group (on original letterhead, signed
by an appropriate official) stating that
the applicant will be working exclusively
at one designated CSF for at least 32
hours per week (for a minimum of 45 weeks
per service year) for the 2-year duration
of the applicant’s NELRP contract, if
the applicant receives an award. Letters
from professional groups must be dated
after April 1, 2008 when the application
cycle begins. Letters that are dated
before the application cycle begins will
not be accepted.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Please notice the "WARNING"
and “CERTIFICATION” at the beginning and
at the end of the Application, respectively,
concerning the provisions of Federal law
(the United States Code) for knowingly
making false statements or misrepresentations.
The electronic application must be submitted
by 5:00 P.M. E.T. on April 30, 2008.
All required supplemental forms and all
required applicable supporting documentation
must be postmarked by April 30, 2008.
The application forms and all other documentation
will be Federal government property.
Failure to provide ALL information
on ALL required forms and required
applicable supporting documentation described
in Section M of this
Guidance by the above deadlines will result
in disqualification for an award. The
NELRP staff will perform no further review
of missing, inaccurate, illegible, or
incomplete application materials.
DISCRIMINATION PROHIBITED
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
states: "No person in the United
States shall, on the ground of race, color,
or national origin, be excluded from participation
in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected
to discrimination under any program or
activity receiving Federal financial assistance."
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
of 1973, as amended, provides that no
otherwise qualified individual with a
disability in the United States shall,
solely by reason of his/her disability,
be excluded from participation in, be
denied the benefits of, or be subjected
to discrimination under any program or
activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
Title IX of the Education Amendments
of 1972, as amended, provides that no
person in the United States shall, on
the basis of sex, be excluded from participation
in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected
to discrimination under any education
program or activity receiving Federal
financial assistance.
Title III of the Age Discrimination Act
of 1975, as amended, provides that no
person in the United States shall, on
the basis of age, be excluded from participation
in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected
to discrimination under any program or
activity receiving Federal financial assistance.
PRIVACY ACT NOTIFICATION STATEMENT
General
This information is provided
pursuant to the Privacy Act of 1974 (Public
Law 94-579), as amended, to individuals
supplying information for inclusion in
a system of records.
Authority
Section 846 of the Public Health
Service Act, as amended.
Purpose and Uses
The purpose of the NELRP is to
assist in the recruitment and retention
of professional Registered Nurses (RNs)
dedicated to providing health care in
facilities with a critical shortage of
nurses and to provide an opportunity for
RNs to consider a career in such facilities.
The information you provide will be used
to evaluate your eligibility for participating
in the NELRP. In addition, the NELRP
will obtain a credit bureau report for
purposes of determining your eligibility.
A participant’s contract, application,
required supplemental forms, supporting
documentation, correspondences, and related
data are maintained in a system of records
to be used within the U.S. Department
of Health and Human Services to monitor
NELRP-related activities. The information
may also be disclosed outside the Department,
as permitted by the Privacy Act and Freedom
of Information Act, to the Congress, the
National Archives, the General Accounting
Office, and pursuant to court order and
various routine uses.
Effects of Nondisclosure
Disclosure of the information
sought is voluntary; however, if not submitted,
except for the replies to ethnicity and
race in Part II of the on-line application
for the NELRP (OMB control number 0915-0140),
an application will be considered incomplete. |