On behalf of the Indian Health Service, we congratulate you on your Health Professions scholarship award! We encourage you to follow the guidelines contained within this newsletter as you take the next step toward fulfilling your goal of pursuing a health professions career. You will find an overview of the required documents needed and responsibilities you must meet to maintain your eligibility as a Health Professions scholarship recipient.

You must apply annually and meet the following criteria to maintain your eligibility for continued scholarship support.

• Be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
• Be enrolled for the next semester/quarter in at least 12 credit hours or the equivalent (full time) or six to 11 credit hours (part time).
• Submit a letter from your institution’s program director verifying your full-time or part-time status.
• Maintain enrollment status during the current academic year.
• Be recommended for continuation by the IHS Discipline Chief in your health profession degree track.

You are responsible for submitting all documentation to your IHS Scholarship Program Analyst (unless specified otherwise) via email or at the address below. Refer to your Student Handbook for additional information.

IHS Scholarship Program
Attn: Program Analyst
801 Thompson Ave., TMP-450
Rockville, MD 20852

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

You are required to submit the following documentation at the beginning or end of every academic term:

Recipient Initial Program Progress Report (IHS-856-8) [PDF - 131KB] — Within 30 days of the beginning of the academic term.

Official Transcripts — Due 30 days after the end of the academic term. Transcripts must be in a sealed envelope and contain an institutional seal and/or a registrar’s signature; copies are not accepted.

GENERAL REPORTING DOCUMENTS

You should submit the following documentation, when necessary:

Notification of Academic Problem (IHS-856-9) [PDF - 131KB] — Due immediately if you encounter issues such as academic probation, reduction in credit hours, cancelled or dropped courses or withdrawal from school.

Change of Status (IHS-856-10) [PDF - 101KB] — Due immediately if you plan on transferring schools, are seeking dual enrollment or anticipate a change in your graduation date.

Lost Stipend Payment (IHS-856-19) [PDF - 82KB] — Send via email or to your Grants Scholarship Coordinator at the address below after the seventh day of the month following the month that you did not receive a stipend payment.

Division of Grants Operations
Attn. Grants Scholarship Coordinator
801 Thompson Ave., TMP-360
Rockville, MD 20852

Request for Tutorial Assistance (IHS-856-20) [PDF -124KB] — The IHS encourages you to use tutorial services to assist with your education, including licensure/certification examination preparatory courses. You must submit this form to your IHS Scholarship Program Analyst as soon as possible to request assistance with these costs. If you elect to use tutorial assistance for licensure/certification preparatory courses, the course must be taken prior to the completion of your degree.

Summer School Request (IHS-856-21) [PDF - 127KB] — Due April 22. This form must be completed and signed by your school advisor and include your major curriculum.

Change of Name or Address (IHS-856-22) [PDF - 87KB] — Due immediately to update your profile in the IHS Scholarship Program database. You must include legal documentation (for example, marriage certificate) if requesting a name change.

Request for Credit Validation (IHS-856-23) [PDF - 76KB] — This form allows your Program Analyst to release pertinent information from your file to a credit card company, bank, department store, etc., for the purpose of securing a lease for an apartment, home loan or other financial need.