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Health Professions Education Foundation

Health Professions Education Foundation - Frequently Asked Questions

Categories of Frequently Asked Questions
Associate Degree Nursing Scholarship Program  Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program 
Bachelor of Science Nursing Scholarship Program  Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program 
Health Professions Education Scholarship Program  Health Professions Education Loan Repayment Program 
Vocational Nurse Scholarship Program  Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program 
Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Loan Repayment Program  Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program 
Completion of Education Program  Service Obligation 
Application  Review and Selection 
Completion of Education Program  Attending School Outside of California 
Contract  Prior or Existing Obligation 
Medically Underserved Area (MUA) 
ASSOCIATE DEGREE NURSING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
  • Q:If I am a current recipient of the Associate Degree Nursing Scholarship Program, am I eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Science Nursing Scholarship Program?
  • A: You are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Science Nursing Scholarship Program once your service obligation for your Associate Degree Science Nursing Scholarship Program has been fulfilled.

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ALLIED HEALTHCARE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
  • Q:If my allied healthcare specialty is not mentioned, may I still apply for the Allied Healthcare Scholarship Program?
  • A: Yes, you may still apply. However, priority is given to applicants who are enrolled in one of the indicated specialties. If funding is available after the priority specialties have been awarded, your application will be considered.

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BACHELOR of SCIENCE NURSING SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
  • Q: If I am a current recipient of the Bachelor of Science Nursing Scholarship Program, am I eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Science Loan Repayment Program?
  • A: You are eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program once your service obligation for your Bachelor of Science Nursing Scholarship Program has been fulfilled.

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BACHELOR of SCIENCE NURSING LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM
  • Q: If I am a recipient of the Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program, do I still get paid a salary?
  • A: Yes, participation in the Bachelor of Science Nursing Loan Repayment Program does not affect your salary.

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HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
  • Q: If I am a current recipient of the Health Professions Education Scholarship Program, may I apply for the Health Professions Education Loan Repayment Program?
  • A: You are eligible to apply for the Health Professions Education Loan Repayment Program once your service obligation for your Health Professions Education Scholarship Program has been fulfilled.

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HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM
  • Q: If I am a recipient of the Health Professions Education Loan Repayment Program, do I still get paid a salary?
  • A: Yes, participation in the Health Professions Education Loan Repayment Program does not affect your salary.

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VOCATIONAL NURSE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
  • Q: If I am a current awardee of the Vocational Nurse Scholarship, may I still apply for the Licensed Vocational Loan Repayment Program?
  • A: You are eligible to apply for the Licensed Vocational Loan Repayment Program once your service obligation for the Vocational Nurse Scholarship program has been fulfilled.

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LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSE LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM
  • Q:If I am an awardee of the Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program, do I still get paid a salary?
  • A: Yes, participation in the Licensed Vocational Nurse Loan Repayment Program does not affect your salary.

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LICENSED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDER LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM
  • Q: If I am an awardee of the Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Loan Repayment Program, do I still get paid a salary?
  • A: Yes, participation in the Licensed Mental Health Services Provider Loan Repayment Program does not affect your salary.

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STEVEN M. THOMPSON PHYSICIAN CORPS LOAN REPAYMENT PROGRAM
  • Q: If I am an awardee of the Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program, do I still get paid a salary?
  • A: Yes, participation in the Steven M. Thompson Physician Corps Loan Repayment Program does not affect your salary.

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COMPLETION OF EDUCATION PROGRAM
  • Q: What will happen if I am unable to complete my health professions education?
  • A: Scholarship recipients who are unable to complete their health professions education will be required to repay all scholarship funds received, plus 10% interest and $250.00 administrative fees. Your contract will be turned over to the State Franchise Tax Board for collections; garnishments on employer's wages may be attached.

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SERVICE OBLIGATION
  • Q: What is a "service obligation" and how does it apply to the Foundation's programs?
  • A: In return for receiving financial support from the Foundation, the program recipient shall agree to practice their profession for a specified period of time in a medically underserved area in California. The period of obligated professional service (or "service obligation") is generally one to three years, depending upon the program.
  • Q: What will happen if I am unable to successfully complete my service obligation?
  • A: Program recipients are required to complete their service obligation in a medically underserved area or facility. If you do not successfully fulfill this contractual obligation, you will be required to repay all scholarships or loan repayments received, plus 10% interest and $250.00 administrative fees. Your contract will be turned over to the State Franchise Tax Board for collections; garnishments on employer's wages may be attached.

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APPLICATION
  • Q: How soon after the postmark deadline will the Foundation notify me of the results of my application?
  • A: Applicants will be notified in writing within eight weeks of the postmark deadline that the application was incomplete or ineligible, or that they have been awarded.
  • Q: Is the scholarship automatically renewable from year to year?
  • A: No, you must reapply for the scholarship annually.
  • Q: May I request an extension to file my application if I cannot obtain all required documents by the postmark deadline?
  • A: No, all documents must be submitted by the application due date. No exceptions.

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REVIEW and SELECTION
  • Q: What criteria are considered in the selection of recipients?
  • A: Selection of awards is based solely on the information and documents contained in the application package. Selection for awards is based in the following criteria: Work experience, financial need, career goals, community service, community background, and academic performance. Priority will be given to individuals whose community background and commitment indicates the likelihood of long-term employment in a medically underserved area even after the service obligation has ended.
  • Q: What is the likelihood I will receive a scholarship or loan repayment award?
  • A: The likelihood is greater than 35% for most of the Foundation's scholarship and loan repayment programs.
  • Q: If I receive a scholarship, is it likely I will receive a subsequent scholarship?
  • A: Being a current recipient does not increase or decrease your likelihood to receive a subsequent scholarship.
  • Q: What does the Foundation look for to determine a student's financial need?
  • A: The Foundation will review the applicant's Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR must indicate the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If the applicant has not applied for financial aid and does not have a SAR, then prior year Federal Tax Returns with all W-2s are accepted in lieu of a SAR to determine financial need.
  • Q: What does the Foundation look for to determine a student's financial need?
  • A: The Foundation will review the applicant's Student Aid Report (SAR) that is generated from the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The SAR must indicate the student's Expected Family Contribution (EFC). If the applicant has not applied for financial aid and does not have a SAR, then prior year federal tax returns with all W-2s are accepted in lieu of a SAR to determine financial need.
  • Q: What is the likelihood I will receive a scholarship or loan repayment award?
  • A: The likelihood is greater than 35% for most of the Foundation's scholarship and loan repayment programs.
  • Q: If I receive a scholarship, is it likely I will receive a subsequent scholarship?
  • A: Being a current recipient does not increase or decrease your likelihood to receive a subsequent scholarship.

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COMPLETION OF EDUCATION PROGRAM
  • Q:What will happen if I am unable to complete my health professions education?
  • A: Scholarship recipients who are unable to complete their health professions education will be required to repay all scholarship funds received, plus 10% interest fee, payable over a seven year period or payable in one lump sum to avoid the 10% interest fee.
  • Q:If I do not repay the money what are the consequences?
  • A: Your contract will be turned over to the State Franchise Tax Board for collections; garnishments on employer's wages may be attached.

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SERVICE OBLIGATION
  • Q: What is a "service obligation" and how does it apply to the Foundation's programs?
  • A: In return for receiving financial support from the Foundation, the program recipient shall agree to practice their profession for a specified period of time in a medically underserved area in California. The period of obligated professional service (or "service obligation") is generally one to three years, or volunteer hours depending upon the program.
  • Q: What will happen if I am unable to successfully complete my service obligation?
  • A: Program recipients are required to complete their service obligation in a medically underserved area (MUA) or facility. If you do not successfully fulfill this contractual obligation, you will be required to repay all scholarships or loan repayments received, plus 10 % interest and $250.00 administrative fees. Your contract will be turned over to the State Franchise Tax Board for collections; garnishments on employer's wages may be attached.

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MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREA (MUA)
  • Q: What is a medically underserved area (MUA)?
  • A: A medically underserved area is a geographic area or specific healthcare facility that has been designated by the Director of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development as medically underserved. These areas include federally-designated Medically Underserved Areas, Medically Underserved Populations, and Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas; state-designated California Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas; and county-operated, state-operated, and state correctional and Veteran's health facilities.
    Link to HRSA or website  |  Link to HWDD website  |  Link to MIRCAL
  • Q: Does my facility qualify as a medically underserved area (MUA)?
  • A: To find out if the health facility is located in a MUA, please click on the Medically Underserved Area Facilities or click in the Medically Underserved Areas By Census Tract to see if your facility qualifies. These designations change periodically so you may also contact the Foundation at (800) 773-1669 to confirm a facility's designation.
  • Q: If I accept employment at a healthcare facility that is not in a California medically underserved area or facility (MUA), how does this affect my service obligation?
  • A: Program recipients are required to complete their service obligation in a medically underserved area or facility in California. If you do not successfully fulfill this contractual obligation, you will be required to repay all scholarships or loan repayments received, plus 10% interest payable over a period of seven-years and administrative fees. Your contract will be turned over to the State Franchise Tax Board for collections; garnishments on employer's wages may be attached.

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ATTENDING SCHOOL OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA
  • Q: Can I apply for a Foundation scholarship if I attend school outside of California?
  • A: No. You must be a California resident attending a California accredited college or university in order to receive a scholarship or loan repayment award from the Foundation.

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CONTRACT
  • Q: Do I need to sign a contract before I receive funds from the Foundation?
  • A: Yes. You will need to sign a contract with the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) along with the Health Professions Education Foundation (HPEF) before you receive any funds from the Foundation.

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PRIOR OR EXISTING OBLIGATION
  • Q: If I have a prior or existing service obligation to another entity can I receive an award from the Foundation?
  • A: If you have a current obligation with another entity you may apply for one of the Foundation's scholarships or loan repayment programs, only if you have completed that obligation.

    If you are in a paradigm program or have received any funds, payments for school tuition, books, and equipment in exchange for a commitment to work for a period of time in a medical facility, you will not be eligible for an award until that current obligation has been fulfilled.

    If you apply for one of the awards and it has been noted that you have a prior commitment, your application will be considered ineligible.
 
Page last revised: January 17, 2008 2:39 PM