HRSA tuition reimbursement grant-any nurse here ever actually get one?

ZASHAGALKA, RN · Sep 17, 2006

I see that HRSA gets thousands of applications for the government tuition reimbursement program for nurses working in DSH (Disproportionate Share Hospitals), but I've yet to meet ANY nurse who received one of these grants (you have to agree to work for 2 years at a DSH or other qualifying place) or who met anyone who did.
Please let the rest of us know: are you an RN who actually received a HRSA tuition reimbursement grant? What do you think helped to make you successful with your application?
Thanks!
(If nobody posts responses here, it'll confirm my suspicion that these grants are just an urban legend! )

There is so limited funding that I don't think they've EVER got out of the Indian Health System and Gov't hospital applicants, which are higher on the list.

DSH means nothing if the funding never makes it that far down the list.

I applied 3 yrs ago. Unless there's a change in funding or priority, I haven't wasted my energy since.

So, unless you are talking to Indian Health Service or VA/Military nurses about it, you probably WON'T find anyone that actually got a grant.

~faith,

Timothy.

msunderstoood · Sep 17, 2006

Hello,

I am in fact one of those nurses that receives this grant. Mine is actually just finishing up. I have no idea why I was one of the people selected. I know there are only a few hundred that receive the grant. I can tell you I work at a disproportionate share hospital (it takes medicaid/medicare and is a state hospital in a university setting). I had all of my paperwork in a few days after it opened up for new paperwork to be submitted. I made sure I had the correct information it took a while to compile everything. I had about 17 thousand in student loans when I applied I don't know if this comes into play when deciding who receives money or not.

I receive about 400 dollars a month which is applied directly to student loans. It is taxed which killed me the first year in taxes (I didn't own my home yet). It has been nice to get the money. I am very grateful. They also sent out paperwork to continue for a third year but I decided not too because I wanted to drop my hours. You have to work a certain number of hours and not miss a certain number of days or your contract is extended. I know another girl that works at my hospital that also applied and was not accepted. So... not sure why I was.

I would encourage you to apply and keep applying because the money helps out. Especially if you do in fact work for a disproportionate share hospital it at least moves you up further on the list. If you have any ?'s I can help you with let me know...

Otessa, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2006

I didn't apply for one. I HAVE worked with RNs who had received it though and it was a great way to get assistance with their education-they received a great learning experience at the hospitals they worked for also.

Otessa, BSN, RN · Sep 17, 2006

Indian Health System

These are the only areas the 2 RNs who received it worked prior to when I met them.