Has anyone used this program? I know there are all sorts of regulations and such, but I'm trying to figure out if you have to actually have graduated to apply or if you can apply before?

I'm not graduating until December 2010, but it says they start taking applications now, the requirements listed say "graduate of an accredited program"

I'm going to be a CNM, I'm just not sure how to go about getting in this program, any advice appreciated!

You need to go to the national student loan database (google it) and print out all of your loans that you have acquired for nursing school once you finish. Send that information to HRSA (they should have an address) along with the supporting documentation that shows where you work. The committment is made to HRSA that you will work at least 2 years at your place of employment. Based on your financial needs they will award you. I actually received an award letter but it stated that due to a lack of funds they could not award me. So I have to try again. You must start early with gathering your information.

thanks for your response, so it's my understanding, I have to wait until I have a job and have received my licensure, before I can apply?

From what I understand, there are 2 ways to go about it. You can apply while you are still in school, but then you are obligated to go wherever they send you. Or, you can wait til you graduate, and try and get a job at an HRSA designated site. I applied after I graduated and got a job at a community health center that was designated as a high need area. I'm still waiting to hear if I've received the award.

It's quite a cumbersome process. You have to fill out an application, supply documentation for all your loans, write a personal statement, and get up to 4 letters of reference. You need to supply evidence of your employment, degree, certification, and licensure. When all was said and done I sent them over 30 pages of documents. They'd probably have more money to award if there wasn't so much paperwork involved...lol. People who work at centers with a higher score are given priority. Scores are basically a reflection of how underserved the particular population is in a given area. If you receive an award you are then obligated to complete a two year service commitment, or they want the money back.

I'm not sure if it's bette to apply before or after graduation, but it's certainly worth looking into. Go to their web site and see what you can find.

Good luck!

Thank you, I have looked at their website exhaustively! THere is actually a memo that says in the next few weeks the requirements are changing and there is going to be a lot less paperwork involved. I never did get an answer to my question if I could apply before I graduated or what. I will email them directly and see what I can find out, I even listened to a conference call where people were asking all sorts of questions, and still didn't get my question quite answered.

Thanks for your help! good luck!

I remember someone came to my school when I was in NP school and spoke about the NHS scholar program. Maybe that's different from the loan forgiveness program.....I wish I still had the info but that got thrown out after graduation!!

Good luck to you. I hope you find the info you need.

yes the scholarship is different but also through the NHSC, the deadline for this year already passed, unfortunately I missed it.

i sent an email to the address they gave during the tele-conference i hope to get answer that way

According to the website at http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/, applicants must have advanced credentials in a primary care discipline (MD, DDS, LSW, PCNP,CNM, etc). The information for applicants states that applicants must already possess advanced certification and have graduated from an accredited MSN, Post-MSN, or doctoral program.

Just found out today I was awarded a grant through this program! The million pages of paperwork were worth it!!!

I was told by someone loosely affiliated with NHS that they have a lot of money right now, through Obama's stimulus program. If the NHS scholar program still exists, I'd look into it now!

I received an email response from them, stating that yes I had to have graduated, passed boards and gotten a job at a underserved facility. ThEN apply for the loan forgiveness. I wish I would have made the deadline for the scholarship, I could REALLY use that, but hopefully this will work out, I'm pretty much willing to work anyway and on the website, you can look up jobs, that are hiring. So, I guess we'll see what happens.

Congrats on your award!