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The IHS Scholarship Program has implemented a new financial aid policy for the 2011–2012 academic year. Preparatory and Pre-Graduate scholarship recipients
will now receive financial aid for tuition and required fees only. The IHS Scholarship Program recommends that all new and continuation Preparatory and Pre-Graduate
scholarship applicants seek other sources of financial aid to assist with additional educational and living expenses.
Health Professions scholarship recipients will continue to receive financial aid for tuition, required fees and other educational and living expenses as outlined
below. The IHS Scholarship Program recommends that all Health Professions scholarship recipients decline all other sources of outside funding, so that they can take
advantage of their full IHS scholarship award.
All scholarship recipients are eligible to receive financial assistance for summer school per program policies.
The number of IHS scholarships awarded depends on the availability of funds appropriated each fiscal year by the Congress of the United States and, therefore,
is subject to change annually.
Tuition and Required Fees
You must submit a copy of your scholarship award letter to your school's business office and financial aid office. This letter from the Division of Grants
Operations office includes invoice and payment instructions officially notifying your school of your participation in the IHS Scholarship Program. The notification
of award authorizes your school to bill IHS directly for your tuition and required fees.
Download the IHS Scholarship Program Student Handbook (PDF - 12500KB)
for further information on IHS Scholarship Program policies regarding tuition and required fees.
Educational Expenses
Items Included in Health Professions Scholarship Financial Aid:
- Tuition and required fees — Paid directly to your school for tuition and required fees for approved curriculum, including laboratory and health unit fees
- School-required books, laboratory expenses, medical/dental/optometric equipment and other miscellaneous education expenses
- Tutorial services — A maximum of $400 (full time) or $200 (part time) will be paid during the academic year
- $300 to offset travel expenses to and from school for the year
- $35 annually for an official post office box
Items Excluded from Health Professions Scholarship Financial Aid:
- School bookstore invoices
- Dental/medical equipment rented from sources other than the school
- Desktop or laptop computers (purchased, leased or rented)
- Health insurance — The educational institution will accept documentation from your Tribe or Indian Health Service facility that proves you are eligible for
health care and/or contract health care from/through our Indian health programs. If you find that the availability of health care services is inconvenient, you
will be responsible for a separate health insurance policy (group or individual) while in school.
- Additional travel expenses incurred over the $300 allowed
- IHS will not pay for tuition and required fees already paid for by other scholarships, grants or tuition waiver programs.
Living Expenses
The stipend amount for student living expenses, including room and board, will be deposited directly into your checking account at the end of each month. This
amount is prorated for part-time students. Each Health Professions scholarship recipient will receive an award letter from the Division of Grants Operations
specifying the total dollar amount for the stipend.
NOTE: All Health Professions scholarship
recipients are required to have a bank account and to enable direct deposit for receiving payments via electronic funds transfer (EFT).
Health Professions scholarship recipients will receive a stipend for the 12-month period beginning August 1 through July 31. The first stipend payments will be
electronically transmitted via direct deposit to their bank accounts at the end of August. For part-time students, this amount is prorated based on the number of
credit hours taken during the academic year.
Download the IHS Scholarship Program Student Handbook (PDF - 12500KB)
for more detailed information regarding financial aid, including your August stipend payment, lost stipend payments, tutorial assistance and summer school requests,
potential conflicts to your IHS service obligation and the suspension of your benefits.
Taxes
Your living expenses stipends are subject to federal income tax and possibly state and local taxes. The IHS withholds only federal income taxes from your
stipend payments. Please contact your state and local tax offices about any tax liabilities on your award. For instructions concerning allowances, exemptions and
filing status, visit the IRS
website.
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