rainbow1

PLEASE READ THIS and try to help me out here. As I explained, I joined this blog in an attempt to alleviate the incredible stress and anxiety I saw when I first scanned through these pages. I made it very clear that I was doing this on my own, without approval, and possibly putting my self at some risk. I got a voicemail from my boss this morning that he received a message from the Help Desk that "a NUMBER of calls received referenced some BLOG". I really need to nip this in the bud or I will have no choice but to cease all communications. Perhaps I could have been clearer, or not everyone has read all my posting - whatever at this point. You have every right to call the Help Desk - they do not have access to all of the details and are only allowed to relay specific information - none of which is current status. If I could have made ONE post referring you all to them I would have. Calling them and referring to this blog is not getting you anywhere with them, jeoparizing me and frankly making me considerably more cautious and concerned about what I have already shared and what I am now willing to share in the future. Please,please please do NOT refer to this blog in any communication with HRSA, my peers who will be handling your cases as things move forward, or others in your workplace that are not participating in this media. I have offered everyone the opportunity to PM me. I have always done what I could without crossing the line. If you can't PM me and don't want to make 15 random posts you need to just be patient and wait to hear.

Great advice for you all!!!!

I'm back, rested and smiling (off yesterday). AND I think I can address some of these issues without feeling exposed. Taxes - I am no expert, so you cannot hold me to specifics, but problems I have seen in the past are mostly not anticipating what this award does to your net income. For many of you this is a significant increase and can push you into a higher tax bracket. We do withhold taxes on the 60% awarded - but as a stand alone figure. Only you (and your accountant) can determine what the net increase in income does to your specific situation. Please note - you cannot use the money we provide to pay the higher taxes - it all must be applied to your loans. Loan Payments - You are required to spend the money we give you on your verified and approved student loans. With that said we don't care how or where you pay your loans. Many people pay their highest interest off first, others pay an equal portion to all, other pay towards the oldest loans, and still others pay proportionate to how much they owe. We don't care. What you will need to do, should you be asked, is provide a loan repayment summary showing that the money we sent was indeed posted towards your loans. And these repayment histories are pretty much just printing web pages from your lenders. Hope this helps!!

Question for all of those nurses smarter than me. OK - that is ALL of you! If someone shows as 'online' does this board have the capability to chat or IM in realtime? Thanks! And I am sorry, but I cannot even answer the above question publically. Let me just say it is required you respond to the email and return the required documents to move forward. Emails are targeted to those considered in 'fundable range', but include below what we can actually fund to to make sure we get all paperwork back and can finalize our lists. All emails went out 7/14 and 15 and again on 8/2 and 3. Clear as mud?

Gee the last time I heard 'best wake up call ever' it was not a silly letter. But I guess guys think differently! I will be around and checking in this weekend (as long as we have a roof and power), so hit me up if I can help. I am actually more comfortable woking some of these issues and questions from home. And if I don't respond - send a roofer!! Lastly - I am way behind on 8/29 start date letters. Bear with me, PM me and most of all - be reasonably prepared if I can't always have good news. Happy Weekend to All! Though I guess this doesn't necessarily ring true for many nurses!

The letter contains: a letter from 'The Boss' (who loves to hear about the positive things this program does for your lives and communities BTW), the executed contract, Your PAW (what, how much and the dreaded taxes withheld) and a 'Fact Sheet'. Nothing for you to do other than go to work, make a difference, and wait another month for your first deposit!! And another BTW - all of your comments on my value here are warmly recognized and appreciated - thank you for them, but it is all of you that do what you do and make life better for the sick and needy. Kudos belong with you, not me!!

I was cured for a very long time - but ten I went to Portland ME a couple of weeks ago and have been having serious flashbacks ever since. Good thing for all of you - I could have been a Repubican!! (ouch!)

Good Morning Everyone!! As you are all aware of the angst waiting for NELRP causes, I still have LOTS to do to close out this year so I am not going to address questions about 3rd year or really anything post award. Please be patient with me as I am already spending too much time on this board. Remember you have resources at your disposal: Help Desk - 800-221-9393 Web Site - http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing/ Guidance Document - http://www.hrsa.gov/loanscholarships/repayment/nursing/continuationguidance.pdf And again, as I mentioned yesterday - only a portion of our awards have been mailed and it will be weeks before they all arrive. Be patient, and be supportive of each other! I'm doing what I can! Peace and Love!

All - please try to understand the position I am in. I want to help settle nerves and anxiety where and when I can, but I cannot disclose information that is irrelevent to this task (and in some cases, like addressing how many of those emailed get funded, would increase the anxiety of some). Sorry, but in addition to relevence, the government can be pretty picky on information leaks - real or perceived - and just because I opted to ask forgivness rather than permission by joining here and sharing, I would much rather not have to do either!! If you have specific questions regarding YOUR application AND are willing to take bad news as gracefully as good, PM me. If I can help I will. If I feel I would compromise myself, my organization or anyone else's privacy I will tell you. Fair enough?

CandaceRN - are you a Colorado or New Jersey nurse?

Mallz - I would be more comfortable taking this off line, but generically not many.

I meant to put a smiley face or LOL - I think it was very clever and love the party dancers!

Hope your a good nurse. I am afarid you would be a very hungry poet!!! Congratulations!

All - please keep in mind ONLY THE FIRST batches went out on Monday. There are many more to come, but I do not have a timeframe to offer. It literally can and probably will be several more weeks before all are notified. I know and appreciate how much this sucks, but there is absoluletly nothing I can do about it. I hate to see you all hanging on each mail delivery with BPs rising by the hour (and remember, tackling your mailman can be considered a federal offense!!lol) You could try to email or PM a new friend you made on the board! I bet if you are patient with him and willing to take bad as well as good news this could be useful.

Before logging off for a while I have a simple request - or at least something to think about. There were nearly 8000 applications received this year. Out of these we can fund very few. I love being here to help support and inform and it is a thrill to hear the excitment and relief when 'the letter' arrives. But please be compassionate and supportive of the many that are waiting and stressing and we were NOT able to help. Not sure how to even suggest how to enact this, but just be aware and compassionate. See you all later or tomorrow!! And I did reach 15 - I can email and PM.