momof_4

Just wanted to update that I received my payment today - just four days shy of the 90 day wait.

Nice! And you got it three days early.

Thanks for answering. I'm going to plan that it will take the whole 90 days at this point and be pleasantly surprised if it doesn't.

Is anyone still waiting for their $50k or $25k lump sum award? How many days has it been since your contract was countersigned? If you have gotten your award, was it awarded after the full 90 days or before?

I haven't received my NHSC award yet... They said up to 90 days but it looks like, in past years, many people received it within 60 days.

Where do they claim it's need based?

Well, the contract says "The Secretary or his or her authorized representative must sign this Contract before it becomes effective" and since it is Co-signed by Jamie King, whose role is listed as "OFAM Approver, HRSA," it stands to reason he either is the Secretary or is the authorized representative of the secretary. I hope this gets fixed for you guys soon. I can't imagine!

This is what they say about their funding priorities: "Funding Priorities - The following funding priorities will be applied to all eligible and qualified applicants: • Characteristics Likely to remain in a HPSA plus Disadvantaged Background (see "Definitions" section). The NHSC will give priority to an applicant who has (and whose spouse, if any, has) characteristics that indicate a higher likelihood of continuing to practice in a HPSA once the service commitment is completed and who comes from a disadvantaged background. With the respect to the latter, the applicant must submit certification from a school that he/she: (i) was identified as having a "disadvantaged background" based on environmental and/or economic factors, or (ii) received a federal Exceptional Financial Need Scholarship. • Characteristics Likely to Remain in a HPSA. The NHSC will also give priority to an applicant who has (and whose spouse, if any, has) characteristics that indicate a higher likelihood of continuing to practice in a HPSA once the service commitment is completed. Generally, the program will assess the applicant's experience in working with underserved populations, which can be demonstrated through past work and volunteer experiences, as well as an applicant's background." So they are looking at a lot more than just what you owe vs. what you make. Also, why should people who take a longer time, work and pay as they go, rather than taking out ALL student loans available be penalized for that? We really shouldn't be encouraging people to take out hundreds of thousands of dollars of student loans for jobs in the RN/ARNP income bracket.

^^^^ EXACTLY right rsmith. If you include it as income, it's going to be taxed as income. As it stands, the 25k part-time or 50k full-time disbursement is COMPLETELY tax free. I think the monthly stipend is different and may be counted as income and taxed.

I signed on 9/5 and they signed on 9/25.

I JUST had my contract counter signed!! They are still awarding :-)

I JUST got a counter signature on my contract!! They are still awarding :-)

Finalist e-mail but no counter signature. Still waiting...

I just got my notification yesterday that I'm a finalist and was asked to fill out my confirmation of interest and all bank account information. I'm excited!! I applied for the HRSA loan repayment as a Certified Nurse Midwife.

They put you on the waitlist for the next class only. After that, you have to reapply.