NELRP 2010

gnovime · Mar 11, 2010

okay, so after another 80 times trying to get through, connected and ended up having to hold for an hour to talk to somebody. basically their online system is shot to helsinki as apparently they didn't design it to hold more than 2 people at a time it seems. also i'm on a mac, they said that you need ie to make it work. they stated that basically since the system is completely bonkers right now, anyone who can't get a log-in gets till 11:59pm tonight to fax in their documents, though here's the statement from the website that they put up just after talking to them:

the nurse education loan repayment program is experiencing an extremely high number of applications being submitted causing server errors. because of the volume, many applicants are not able to register and/or submit their application. in addition, the hrsa call center is overwhelmed with calls and many callers are unable to speak to a representative. applicants who have general questions are able to e-mail questions to the call center at [email protected]. if you are experiencing technical difficulties please follow the instructions below:

problems registering: if you have not been able to register online, fax, not mail all completed supporting documentation by march 11, 2010, no later than 11:59 pm est., to 301-998-7377. please include a fax cover sheet with the following information:

subject: 'unable to register for nelrp'

applicant(name)

social security number:

e-mail address:

mailing(address)

telephone(number)

you will be contacted via e-mail with a user name and password that will allow you to complete the online application. you should receive the e-mail no later than march 19th. if you have not received an e-mail by friday, march 19th please contact the call center at 1-800-221-9393 or e-mail [email protected]. we will not be able to provide a status update regarding the e-mail before march 19th. be sure to retain your fax confirmation for your records.

problems submitting an online application: if you have already registered and are not able to submit your application due to the server error, you will be allowed to submit your application beyond the deadline of thursday, march 11 at 5:30 pm est. the application will be extended for those who have already started the application process until friday, march 12, 2010 at 5:00 pm est. all supporting documentation must be faxed or postmarked by 11:59 pm, today, march 11, 2010.

needless to say i finally got it to work and register, however going through their application system is an absolute landmine. it takes 80 refreshes just to get to each new page. this is going to be a longggggg day.

serendipity8461 · Mar 11, 2010

Don't cry!! The entire server is down. I have encountered the same problem that you have. the good news is that they are aware and trying to fix the problem. I do not know if it will get fixed or if they will extend the deadline because of this. Nobody answers when called...it only rings busy...I had another number that connects straight to voice mail but the voice mail is full so no message can be left. I wrote an email at 0900 and no response. I found another number that is to an office across from where I wanted to get to. the woman told me that they were aware ..people are working on it...and they should extend if they can't get it working. I couldn't even fax the 21 pages of info that needed to be faxed because it the connection is busy....I ended up overnighting them. I still have not submitted my application though it is completed since the server is down. I hope this info helps you. Know that you are not alone...I feel you frustration!! :clown: :clown: :clown: :clown:

Jackie

gnovime · Mar 11, 2010

Yeah, I didn't want to give up hoping to register as I did not want to risk the idea of trying to fax them... beyond the uncertainty, how are we supposed to trust that their fax machines are going to work when their web site and phones are crumbling as we speak?! :uhoh3: :uhoh3: :uhoh3:

I'm about to give up on refreshing times infinity (I've been working on it for about an hour now and have only entered 6 of the 22 loan documents that I have), just submit my documents via mail, and then work on the online application later when hopefully the system is working.

Thanks for the comfort... :)

gnovime · Mar 11, 2010

Just got done compiling everything and mailing it off, 90 total pages! It's a book! How in the world was I going to fax 90 pages to a number that's probably going to be down all day anyways...

My debt:income ratio is 266% (I knew it was high but my jaw dropped once I calculated it out) working at a DSH, so I think I might be in the top tier of consideration... :crying2: :uhoh3:

I'm just praying that there was nothing I missed! It's going to haunt me until September.

serendipity8461 · Mar 14, 2010

Did you ever end up getting the form completed online? I got mine done at 1738 on Friday. I had to refresh at least 50 times per page...and mine was completed other then changing two pieces of information. What a pain!! I don't think I would even qualify when I compare my ratio to other peoples. I had a loan for my BSN, a little for my MSN and am currently paying cash for my doctorate. O well...it doesn't hurt to try!! I wish you all the luck in the world...it sounds like you have a great chance to get included. Fingers crossed :)

gnovime · Mar 14, 2010

Yeah I ended up finishing my online application up at 0200 Friday, figured I'd wait till hardly anyone was using the website but I still had to refresh a good 20 times per page to get it moving. I'm really surprised that there were still so many problems at 1700 for you, they really should have further extended the deadline if you were having problems then. But, the hardest part is over, wait, scratch that, the hardest part has just begun! The waiting!! :uhoh3:

But I wouldn't count yourself out anytime soon, it seems that the budget for NELRP is being significantly raised for 2010! According to HRSA documents, we'll see approx. $73 million in funds for 2010 (raised from $22.8 million last year), largely in part thanks to Obama requesting a total of $125 million for the program (part of that total goes to the Scholarship program)!

Read about it here starting on page 70:

ftp://ftp.hrsa.gov/about/budgetjustification10.pdf

So let's cross everyone's fingers, could be beautiful news. :):)

Nubian Queen · Mar 28, 2010

This is for anyone who have received the award in previous years. How easy is it to receive authorization to transfer? Does it have to be a big reason because I intend on moving to another state for better nurse opportunities. There are several DSH where I reside; however, they won't let new grads in so I need a change so I can utilize all of my BSN skill LOL! Oh yeah thanks for all your feed back and please don't post what it says in the terms because I have already read it but would like to know if authorization for transfers is easy.

DestinedRN09 · May 24, 2010

I have a question, I know most of you turned in your application and what not. I'm looking into this program for next year but I am currently in service obligation for the HRSA Nursing Scholarship Program. Has anyone received this award in the past and applied to this program? I imagine that I cant apply for it until my 2 year obligation is up but I was just wondering...

RNStephanie · Jun 5, 2010

Hi everyone. Good news, I was contacted for my verification documents. Anyone else? Do we know what this means? :nurse:

gnovime · Jun 5, 2010

What exactly did they want for verification documents? Was your application submitted early? Right now is about when they start the process of contacting people, from reading the last two years threads. I would definitely say it's a good sign, any contact really, though not a 100% guarantee until you get the contract.

It's somewhat frustrating, as I called them a month ago just to even verify that they got all of my application (100 pages) and they can't do that apparently. You would think an application that takes so much time and effort could at least get an acknowledgement of receipt! Ahh well. So the madness begins! :lol2: :uhoh3:

sedietsch · Jun 6, 2010

I got an e-mail with the contract (which I signed), verification form and banking info form last week. I faxed it all back to them. I'm hoping this is a good sign. My debt to income ratio is almost 300%. I'm so anxious to find out, I can't believe we have to wait until September.

gnovime · Jun 6, 2010

So I'm kinda freaking out a little, after reading about people already being notified, I went back through my email scouring everything, and lo and behold I have an email in my spam folder from HRSA on May 28th requesting to have all documents faxed by June 1st! I immediately completed everything and faxed it in from work (just now), and emailed them back explaining the situation. I never received any phone calls from HRSA. Has anyone else been in the same situation? Will they be lenient on sending it back late considering the circumstances? I pray so, I need this program so badly I don't need an email marked as spam to be the reason I wasn't eligible for the program. :confused: