42 USC 293 - Scholarships for disadvantaged students

Collapse to view only § 293a. Scholarships for disadvantaged students

§ 293. Centers of excellence
§ 293a. Scholarships for disadvantaged students
§ 293b. Loan repayments and fellowships regarding faculty positions
§ 293c. Educational assistance in the health professions regarding individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds
§ 293d. Authorization of appropriation
§ 293e. Grants for health professions education

§ 293. Centers of excellence

(a) In general

(b) Required use of fundsThe Secretary may not make a grant under subsection (a) unless the designated health professions school involved agrees, subject to subsection (c)(1)(C), to expend the grant—

(1) to develop a large competitive applicant pool through linkages with institutions of higher education, local school districts, and other community-based entities and establish an education pipeline for health professions careers;

(2) to establish, strengthen, or expand programs to enhance the academic performance of under-represented minority students attending the school;

(3) to improve the capacity of such school to train, recruit, and retain under-represented minority faculty including the payment of such stipends and fellowships as the Secretary may determine appropriate;

(4) to carry out activities to improve the information resources, clinical education, curricula and cultural competence of the graduates of the school, as it relates to minority health issues;

(5) to facilitate faculty and student research on health issues particularly affecting under-represented minority groups, including research on issues relating to the delivery of health care;

(6) to carry out a program to train students of the school in providing health services to a significant number of under-represented minority individuals through training provided to such students at community-based health facilities that—

(A) provide such health services; and

(B) are located at a site remote from the main site of the teaching facilities of the school; and

(7) to provide stipends as the Secretary determines appropriate, in amounts as the Secretary determines appropriate.

(1) Designated schools

(A) In generalThe designated health professions schools referred to in subsection (a) are such schools that meet each of the conditions specified in subparagraphs (B) and (C), and that—

(i) meet each of the conditions specified in paragraph (2)(A);

(ii) meet each of the conditions specified in paragraph (3);

(iii) meet each of the conditions specified in paragraph (4); or

(iv) meet each of the conditions specified in paragraph (5).

(B) General conditionsThe conditions specified in this subparagraph are that a designated health professions school—

(i) has a significant number of under-represented minority individuals enrolled in the school, including individuals accepted for enrollment in the school;

(ii) has been effective in assisting under-represented minority students of the school to complete the program of education and receive the degree involved;

(iii) has been effective in recruiting under-represented minority individuals to enroll in and graduate from the school, including providing scholarships and other financial assistance to such individuals and encouraging under-represented minority students from all levels of the educational pipeline to pursue health professions careers; and

(iv) has made significant recruitment efforts to increase the number of under-represented minority individuals serving in faculty or administrative positions at the school.

(D) Application of criteria to other programs

(2) Centers of excellence at certain historically black colleges and universities

(A) ConditionsThe conditions specified in this subparagraph are that a designated health professions school—

(i) is a school described in section 295p(1) of this title; and

(ii) received a contract under section 295g–8b of this title for fiscal year 1987, as such section was in effect for such fiscal year.

(B) Use of grantIn addition to the purposes described in subsection (b), a grant under subsection (a) to a designated health professions school meeting the conditions described in subparagraph (A) may be expended—

(i) to develop a plan to achieve institutional improvements, including financial independence, to enable the school to support programs of excellence in health professions education for under-represented minority individuals; and

(ii) to provide improved access to the library and informational resources of the school.

(3) Hispanic centers of excellenceThe conditions specified in this paragraph are that—

(A) with respect to Hispanic individuals, each of clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph (1)(B) applies to the designated health professions school involved;

(B) the school agrees, as a condition of receiving a grant under subsection (a), that the school will, in carrying out the duties described in subsection (b), give priority to carrying out the duties with respect to Hispanic individuals; and

(i) the school will establish an arrangement with 1 or more public or nonprofit community based Hispanic serving organizations, or public or nonprofit private institutions of higher education, including schools of nursing, whose enrollment of students has traditionally included a significant number of Hispanic individuals, the purposes of which will be to carry out a program—(I) to identify Hispanic students who are interested in a career in the health profession involved; and(II) to facilitate the educational preparation of such students to enter the health professions school; and

(ii) the school will make efforts to recruit Hispanic students, including students who have participated in the undergraduate or other matriculation program carried out under arrangements established by the school pursuant to clause (i)(II) and will assist Hispanic students regarding the completion of the educational requirements for a degree from the school.

(4) Native American centers of excellenceSubject to subsection (e), the conditions specified in this paragraph are that—

(A) with respect to Native Americans, each of clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph (1)(B) applies to the designated health professions school involved;

(i) the school will establish an arrangement with 1 or more public or nonprofit private institutions of higher education, including schools of nursing, whose enrollment of students has traditionally included a significant number of Native Americans, the purpose of which arrangement will be to carry out a program—(I) to identify Native American students, from the institutions of higher education referred to in clause (i), who are interested in health professions careers; and(II) to facilitate the educational preparation of such students to enter the designated health professions school; and

(ii) the designated health professions school will make efforts to recruit Native American students, including students who have participated in the undergraduate program carried out under arrangements established by the school pursuant to clause (i) and will assist Native American students regarding the completion of the educational requirements for a degree from the designated health professions school.

(5) Other centers of excellenceThe conditions specified in this paragraph are—

(A) with respect to other centers of excellence, the conditions described in clauses (i) through (iv) of paragraph (1)(B); and

(B) that the health professions school involved has an enrollment of under-represented minorities above the national average for such enrollments of health professions schools.

(d) Designation as center of excellence

(1) In general

(2) Hispanic centers of excellence

(3) Native American centers of excellence

(e) Authority regarding Native American centers of excellenceWith respect to meeting the conditions specified in subsection (c)(4), the Secretary may make a grant under subsection (a) to a designated health professions school that does not meet such conditions if—

(1) the school has formed a consortium in accordance with subsection (d)(1); and

(2) the schools of the consortium collectively meet such conditions, without regard to whether the schools individually meet such conditions.

(f) Duration of grant

(g) DefinitionsIn this section:

(1) Designated health professions school

(A) In general

(B) Exception

(2) Program of excellence

(3) Native Americans

(h) Formula for allocations

(1) AllocationsBased on the amount appropriated under subsection (i) for a fiscal year, the following subparagraphs shall apply as appropriate:

(A) In generalIf the amounts appropriated under subsection (i) for a fiscal year are $24,000,000 or less—

(i) the Secretary shall make available $12,000,000 for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in subsection (c)(2)(A); and

(ii) and 2

2 So in original. The word “and” probably should not appear.

available after grants are made with funds under clause (i), the Secretary shall make available—(I) 60 percent of such amount for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (c) (including meeting the conditions under subsection (e)); and(II) 40 percent of such amount for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in subsection (c)(5).

(B) Funding in excess of $24,000,000If amounts appropriated under subsection (i) for a fiscal year exceed $24,000,000 but are less than $30,000,000—

(i) 80 percent of such excess amounts shall be made available for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the requirements described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (c) (including meeting conditions pursuant to subsection (e)); and

(ii) 20 percent of such excess amount shall be made available for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in subsection (c)(5).

(C) Funding in excess of $30,000,000If amounts appropriated under subsection (i) for a fiscal year exceed $30,000,000 but are less than $40,000,000, the Secretary shall make available—

(i) not less than $12,000,000 for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in subsection (c)(2)(A);

(ii) not less than $12,000,000 for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (c) (including meeting conditions pursuant to subsection (e));

(iii) not less than $6,000,000 for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in subsection (c)(5); and

(iv) after grants are made with funds under clauses (i) through (iii), any remaining excess amount for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in paragraph (2)(A), (3), (4), or (5) of subsection (c).

(D)If amounts appropriated under subsection (i) for a fiscal year are $40,000,000 or more, the Secretary shall make available—

(i) not less than $16,000,000 for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in subsection (c)(2)(A);

(ii) not less than $16,000,000 for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in paragraph (3) or (4) of subsection (c) (including meeting conditions pursuant to subsection (e));

(iii) not less than $8,000,000 for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in subsection (c)(5); and

(iv) after grants are made with funds under clauses (i) through (iii), any remaining funds for grants under subsection (a) to health professions schools that meet the conditions described in paragraph (2)(A), (3), (4), or (5) of subsection (c).

(2) No limitation

(3) Maintenance of effort

(A) In general

(B) Use of Federal funds

(i) Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 736, as added Pub. L. 105–392, title I, § 101(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3525; amended Pub. L. 111–148, title V, § 5401, Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 642; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3401(1), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 385.)

§ 293a. Scholarships for disadvantaged students

(a) In general

(b) Preference in providing scholarships

(d) Definitions

In this section:

(1) Eligible entities

The term “eligible entities” means an entity that—

(A) is a school of medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing (as defined in section 296 of this title), pharmacy, podiatric medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, public health, chiropractic, or allied health, a school offering a graduate program in behavioral and mental health practice, or an entity providing programs for the training of physician assistants; and

(B) is carrying out a program for recruiting and retaining students from disadvantaged backgrounds, including students who are members of racial and ethnic minority groups.

(2) Eligible individual

The term “eligible individual” means an individual who—

(A) is from a disadvantaged background;

(B) has a financial need for a scholarship; and

(C) is enrolled (or accepted for enrollment) at an eligible health professions or nursing school as a full-time student in a program leading to a degree in a health profession or nursing.

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 737, as added Pub. L. 105–392, title I, § 101(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3531.)

§ 293b. Loan repayments and fellowships regarding faculty positions

(a) Loan repayments

(1) Establishment of program

(2) Eligible individualsThe individuals referred to in paragraph (1) are individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who—

(A) have a degree in medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing, or another health profession;

(B) are enrolled in an approved graduate training program in medicine, osteopathic medicine, dentistry, nursing, or other health profession; or

(i) in an accredited (as determined by the Secretary) school described in paragraph (3); and

(ii) in the final year of a course of a study or program, offered by such institution and approved by the Secretary, leading to a degree from such a school.

(3) Eligible health professions schools

(4) Requirements regarding faculty positionsThe Secretary may not enter into a contract under paragraph (1) unless—

(A) the individual involved has entered into a contract with a school described in paragraph (3) to serve as a member of the faculty of the school for not less than 2 years; and

(B) the contract referred to in subparagraph (A) provides that—

(i) the school will, for each year for which the individual will serve as a member of the faculty under the contract with the school, make payments of the principal and interest due on the educational loans of the individual for such year in an amount equal to the amount of such payments made by the Secretary for the year;

(ii) the payments made by the school pursuant to clause (i) on behalf of the individual will be in addition to the pay that the individual would otherwise receive for serving as a member of such faculty; and

(iii) the school, in making a determination of the amount of compensation to be provided by the school to the individual for serving as a member of the faculty, will make the determination without regard to the amount of payments made (or to be made) to the individual by the Federal Government under paragraph (1).

(5) Applicability of certain provisions

(6) Waiver regarding school contributions

(b) Fellowships

(1) In general

(2) ApplicationsTo be eligible to receive a grant or contract under this subsection, an entity shall provide an assurance, in the application submitted by the entity, that—

(A) amounts received under such a grant or contract will be used to award a fellowship to an individual only if the individual meets the requirements of paragraphs (3) and (4); and

(B) each fellowship awarded pursuant to the grant or contract will include—

(i) a stipend in an amount not exceeding 50 percent of the regular salary of a similar faculty member for not to exceed 3 years of training; and

(ii) an allowance for other expenses, such as travel to professional meetings and costs related to specialized training.

(3) EligibilityTo be eligible to receive a grant or contract under paragraph (1), an applicant shall demonstrate to the Secretary that such applicant has or will have the ability to—

(A) identify, recruit and select underrepresented minority individuals who have the potential for teaching, administration, or conducting research at a health professions institution;

(B) provide such individuals with the skills necessary to enable them to secure a tenured faculty position at such institution, which may include training with respect to pedagogical skills, program administration, the design and conduct of research, grants writing, and the preparation of articles suitable for publication in peer reviewed journals;

(C) provide services designed to assist such individuals in their preparation for an academic career, including the provision of counselors; and

(D) provide health services to rural or medically underserved populations.

RequirementsTo be eligible to receive a grant or contract under paragraph (1) an applicant shall—

(A) provide an assurance that such applicant will make available (directly through cash donations) $1 for every $1 of Federal funds received under this section for the fellowship;

(B) provide an assurance that institutional support will be provided for the individual for the second and third years at a level that is equal to the total amount of institutional funds provided in the year in which the grant or contract was awarded;

(C) provide an assurance that the individual that will receive the fellowship will be a member of the faculty of the applicant school; and

(D) provide an assurance that the individual that will receive the fellowship will have, at a minimum, appropriate advanced preparation (such as a master’s or doctoral degree) and special skills necessary to enable such individual to teach and practice.

(5) Definition

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 738, as added Pub. L. 105–392, title I, § 101(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3532; amended Pub. L. 111–148, title V, § 5402(a), title X, § 10501(d), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 644, 995.)

§ 293c. Educational assistance in the health professions regarding individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds

(a) In general

(1) Authority for grants

(2) Authorized expenditures

A grant or contract under paragraph (1) may be used by the entity to meet the cost of—

(A) identifying, recruiting, and selecting individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, as so determined, for education and training in a health profession;

(B) facilitating the entry of such individuals into such a school;

(C) providing counseling, mentoring, or other services designed to assist such individuals to complete successfully their education at such a school;

(D) providing, for a period prior to the entry of such individuals into the regular course of education of such a school, preliminary education and health research training designed to assist them to complete successfully such regular course of education at such a school, or referring such individuals to institutions providing such preliminary education;

(E) publicizing existing sources of financial aid available to students in the education program of such a school or who are undertaking training necessary to qualify them to enroll in such a program;

(F) paying such scholarships as the Secretary may determine for such individuals for any period of health professions education at a health professions school;

(G) paying such stipends as the Secretary may approve for such individuals for any period of education in student-enhancement programs (other than regular courses), except that such a stipend may not be provided to an individual for more than 12 months, and such a stipend shall be in an amount determined appropriate by the Secretary (notwithstanding any other provision of law regarding the amount of stipends);

(H) carrying out programs under which such individuals gain experience regarding a career in a field of primary health care through working at facilities of public or private nonprofit community-based providers of primary health services; and

(I) conducting activities to develop a larger and more competitive applicant pool through partnerships with institutions of higher education, school districts, and other community-based entities.

(3) Definition

(b) Requirements for awards

In making awards to eligible entities under subsection (a)(1), the Secretary shall give preference to approved applications for programs that involve a comprehensive approach by several public or nonprofit private health or educational entities to establish, enhance and expand educational programs that will result in the development of a competitive applicant pool of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who desire to pursue health professions careers. In considering awards for such a comprehensive partnership approach, the following shall apply with respect to the entity involved:

(1) The entity shall have a demonstrated commitment to such approach through formal agreements that have common objectives with institutions of higher education, school districts, and other community-based entities.

(2) Such formal agreements shall reflect the coordination of educational activities and support services, increased linkages, and the consolidation of resources within a specific geographic area.

(3) The design of the educational activities involved shall provide for the establishment of a competitive health professions applicant pool of individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds by enhancing the total preparation (academic and social) of such individuals to pursue a health professions career.

(4) The programs or activities under the award shall focus on developing a culturally competent health care workforce that will serve the unserved and underserved populations within the geographic area.

(d) Matching requirements

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 739, as added Pub. L. 105–392, title I, § 101(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3534.)

§ 293d. Authorization of appropriation

(a) Scholarships

(b) Loan repayments and fellowships

(d) Report

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 740, as added Pub. L. 105–392, title I, § 101(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112 Stat. 3536; amended Pub. L. 111–148, title V, § 5402(b)–(d), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 644; Pub. L. 116–136, div. A, title III, § 3401(2), Mar. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 385.)

§ 293e. Grants for health professions education

(a) Cultural competency, prevention, and public health and individuals with disability grants

(1) In general

(2) Eligible entities

(b) Collaboration

(1) In general

(2) Evaluation

(d) Authorization of appropriations

(July 1, 1944, ch. 373, title VII, § 741, as added Pub. L. 106–525, title IV, § 401(a), Nov. 22, 2000, 114 Stat. 2508; amended Pub. L. 111–148, title V, § 5307(a), Mar. 23, 2010, 124 Stat. 628.)