Grant Community.com

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

CATALOG OF FEDERAL DOMESTIC ASSISTANCE

93.108:  Health Education Assistance Loans

Popular Name:  HEAL

Objectives:  To authorize Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) for educational expenses available from eligible lenders such as banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, pension funds, insurance companies and eligible educational institutions. Loans are made to students enrolled in eligible health professions educational programs at participating institutions. Loans are insured by the Federal government.

PROGRAM AND AWARD FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS


93.108 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  No new Federal HEAL loans will be issued, effective October 1, 1998.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Any U.S. citizen, National, or person lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, who is enrolled on a full-time basis at an eligible health professions school.

Credentials/Documentation:  Any U.S. citizen, National, or person lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent residence, who is enrolled on a full-time basis at an eligible health professions school.

93.108 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  Information regarding loan and application procedures may be obtained from eligible health professions schools and the Department of Health and Human Services. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  The educational institution must certify on the application that the student meets all eligibility requirements, is enrolled on a full-time basis in an appropriate degree program and is in good academic standing. The application (HRSA-700) is submitted with the certification to the lender. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Award Procedure:  If the lender agrees, and all regulations are followed in making the loans (including determining the credit worthiness of the applicant), an insurance commitment is received from the Federal government. The lender disburses proceeds of loans jointly to the school and the applicant.

Deadlines:  None.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Varies.

Appeals:  None.

Renewals:  Individual lenders must reapply each year to participate in the program.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Not applicable.

Examples of Funded Projects:  In fiscal year 1998, loans were guaranteed to 6,581 students for Health Education Assistance Loans.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, optometry and podiatric medicine aggregate loans are not to exceed $80,000; maximum annual loan limit is $20,000. Pharmacy, public health, chiropractic, clinical psychology, and graduate health administration, aggregate loans are not to exceed $50,000; maximum annual loan limit is $12,500.

93.108 RELATED PROGRAMS:

  • 84.032 Federal Family Education Loans;
  • 84.033 Federal Work-Study Program;
  • 84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program: Federal Capital Contributions;
  • 93.165 Grants for State Loan Repayment;
  • 93.288 National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program;
  • 93.342 Health Professions Student Loans.

93.108 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

In fiscal year 1999, no new borrowers received loans, and none are expected in fiscal years 2000 and 2001. Refinancing continues to show success as a default prevention tool. As of September 30, 1999, the HEAL refinancing activity increased to about $1.6 billion in HEAL loans out of a HEAL portfolio of $3.7 billion. It is expected that another $200,000 in principal HEAL loans will be refinanced in fiscal years 2000 and 2001.

93.108 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Type of Assistance:  Guaranteed/Insured Loans.

Obligations:  (Grants and Loans) FY 99 $0; FY 00 est $0; and FY 01 est $0.

Budget Account Number:  75-4305-0-3-552.

Authorization:  Public Health Service Act, Title VII, Section 701-720, 42 U.S.C. 292; as amended; Health Education Professions Education Partnership Act of 1998, Public Law 105-392, November 13, 1998.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  Regulations published August 26, 1983, August 28, 1986, January 8, 1987, February 29, 1988, August 29, 1991, December 21, 1993, and October 1, 1995.

93.108 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  None.

Headquarters Office:  Program Contact: Stephen J. Boehlert, Associate Director, HEAL Program, Division of Student Assistance, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Service Administration, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Room 8-37, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Contact: Stephen J. Boehlert. Phone: (301) 443-1540. Use the same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

93.108 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  This program has no statutory formula or matching requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Eligible students may apply for a loan for any year of advanced study at an eligible health professions school (pharmacy students must have completed 3 years of training). Repayment is to be made over 10 to 25 years, but must not exceed 33 years from the date the loan was made. For a borrower who received any HEAL loan prior to October 22, 1985, deferments are not included when calculating the 10 to 25 or 33-year limitations. For a borrower who receives his or her first HEAL loan on or after October 22, 1985, deferment periods are included when calculating the 33 year limitation, but are not included when calculating the 10 to 25 year limitation.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Funds are to help defray costs of education at an eligible health professions institution. Repayment begins 9 full months after a borrower ceases to carry a full-time academic workload or ceases to be a participant in an accredited internship or residency program. Deferment of principal and interest payments may be granted during certain periods.

93.108 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Operational reports are required from lenders quarterly.

Audits:  In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. School audits are to be carried out in accordance with the provisions set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133. Lenders must conduct a financial audit of loan award in accordance with Government Audit Standards and the HEAL Audit Guide. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials. Biennial audits are required.

Records:  Lenders must maintain records to support and identify loan transactions. Schools must maintain administrative and fiscal records.

About    News     Grant Management Software     Federal Grant Programs    Audits    Studies    Expenditures     Links

Last Updated, November, 2000             Comments or Questions?           ©Grant Community.com 2000, All Rights Reserved