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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

93.364:  Nursing Student Loans

Popular Name:  NSL

Objectives:  To assist students in need of financial assistance to pursue a course of study in professional nursing education by providing long-term, low-interest loans, currently at the rate of 5 percent.

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

93.364 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  All accredited public and nonprofit private schools of nursing that prepare students for practice as registered or graduate nurses, and that do not discriminate against students because of race, color, origin, sex, or handicapping conditions, are eligible to apply for funds to be disbursed to qualified nursing students.

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Nursing students who are citizens, nationals or lawful permanent residents of the United States or the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa or the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated State of Micronesia.

Credentials/Documentation:  None.

93.364 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  Consultation and technical assistance are provided to nursing education institutions wishing to share in loan funds. Program information may be obtained from DHHS Central Office. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. This program is subject to the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-110.

Application Procedure:  Students apply at student aid office of school of their choice for assistance in applying for a loan. The school then tabulates requests for funds based on estimated needs of students.

Award Procedure:  Nursing student loan funds are allocated and awarded to eligible participating schools by the Central Office. The schools in turn select and issue awards to the eligible students.

Deadlines:  Contact Headquarters Office for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  About 2 months.

Appeals:  Not applicable.

Renewals:  Applications are required for new schools.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  Applications will be reviewed for completeness and accuracy, and to determine if applicant schools meet minimum program requirements.

Examples of Funded Projects:  (1) Long-term, low-interest loans made to nursing students; and (2) funds provided to schools of nursing to capitalize loan funds.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  The range is from $500 to $4,000; $1,920.

93.364 RELATED PROGRAMS:

• 84.038 Federal Perkins Loan Program: Federal Capital Contributions;
• 84.063 Federal Pell Grant Program.

93.364 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

93.364 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

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

Type of Assistance:  Direct Loans.

Obligations:  (Federal Capital Contribution) FY 99 $3,128,000; FY 00 est $3,000,000; and FY 01 est $3,000,000. Note: Although no annual appropriations may be enacted, this program operates using revolving funds.

Budget Account Number:  75-0350-0-1-550.

Authorization:  Public Health Service Act, Title VIII, Section 835-842, 42 U.S.C. 297a-i, as amended; Health Professions Education Partnerships Act of 1998, Public Law 105-392.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  42 CFR 57. "A Guide for Repayment and Deferment Provisions of Nursing Student Loans," Nursing Student Loan Program Fact Sheet.

93.364 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:  Program Contact: Mary Farrington, Division of Student Assistance, Bureau of Health Professions, Health Resources and Services Administration, Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services, Parklawn Bldg., Room 8-34, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Phone: (301) 443-4776. Use same number for FTS.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

93.364 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  Schools participating in loan programs must match the Federal contribution with an amount not less than one-ninth of the Federal allotment.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Length and time of assistance depends upon the time required by the student to complete the necessary course of study leading to a degree and is subject to availability of funds.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  Loans have a maximum of $2,500 for an academic year, $4,000 for each of the final 2 years, or the amount of the student's financial need, whichever is less. The total is limited to $13,000. Loans to full- and half-time nursing students who are citizens, nationals, or a lawful permanent residents of the United States or DC, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico or the Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, Guam, the American Samoa, the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Funds are made to schools of nursing to capitalize loan funds.

93.364 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  Annual Operating Report (HRSA-501).

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. In addition, grants and cooperative agreements are subject to inspection and audits by DHHS and other Federal government officials.

Records:  Financial records must be kept until such time as agreed upon with the Secretary of DHHS as specified in 42 CFR 57.318.