Does anyone know much about the National Health Service Corps? Any insight, both positive and negative, would be greatly appreciated.
National Health Service Corps
- Thread starter campbellm
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There are major pros since they will pay you to go to school and give you a stipend; however, they are known to change the terms of the contract and you may even have to practice in prisons. You do get to apply for which positions you want however.
The pros are that they pay for tuition and required fees just like the military scholarships, plus a monthly stipend that is half as much as the military stipends. You will also be serving the people most in need of care. The cons are you may have to practice in the middle of no where (or in prisons), and you will have to give them 2 arms and a leg if you back out of the contract (I think the payback amt is 3x given to you plus interest). Also very limited deferment if you decide to specialize after graduation.
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here is thier website:
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/
Basically, you don't have to get involved with them UNTIL you graduate dental school. There are alot of dentist-job openings in rural/underserved locations that are just like regular jobs, you'll be an associate with an income (how much? I dunno)
ON TOP OF THAT, if you spend like, 2 years working in those special locations, they will deduct 50k from your dental tuition. But if you spend 6 years (6 being the magic number), then they will give you 100% loan forgiveness..... Man, after dental school, if I can land one of these locations, I'd do it in a heart beat
http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/
Basically, you don't have to get involved with them UNTIL you graduate dental school. There are alot of dentist-job openings in rural/underserved locations that are just like regular jobs, you'll be an associate with an income (how much? I dunno)
ON TOP OF THAT, if you spend like, 2 years working in those special locations, they will deduct 50k from your dental tuition. But if you spend 6 years (6 being the magic number), then they will give you 100% loan forgiveness..... Man, after dental school, if I can land one of these locations, I'd do it in a heart beat
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Just curious how they change the contract terms?
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Okay, so from what I know there are two options with NHSC. 1)Service corp scholarship and 2) Loan forgiveness.
Dentalworks is describing loan forgiveness (where they pay off your tuition and you sign up after dental school). A more appealing option is the scholarship though. You sign up before you finish D school and you will get all of your tuition, fees, etc plus ~1,000 a month during school. You work for them as long as you get the benefit. Once you graduate you work those years A) where they want you or B) in a place you propose where dentists are in demand. While there you cannot be payed below what you would get working for civil service. It depends on where you go and who hires you, but I expect the salary to be >60,000-70,000 a year. If your tuition plus fees and stipend is 60,000 a year it would be as if you are making 120,000 per year, but you don't have any debt nor will you have accruing interest or paying for your own office. And did I forget to mention less tax!😀
Dentalworks is describing loan forgiveness (where they pay off your tuition and you sign up after dental school). A more appealing option is the scholarship though. You sign up before you finish D school and you will get all of your tuition, fees, etc plus ~1,000 a month during school. You work for them as long as you get the benefit. Once you graduate you work those years A) where they want you or B) in a place you propose where dentists are in demand. While there you cannot be payed below what you would get working for civil service. It depends on where you go and who hires you, but I expect the salary to be >60,000-70,000 a year. If your tuition plus fees and stipend is 60,000 a year it would be as if you are making 120,000 per year, but you don't have any debt nor will you have accruing interest or paying for your own office. And did I forget to mention less tax!😀
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Racquetballer is right. Also should be noted that, as someone else mentioned earlier, you're expected to repay your obligation for the scholarship as soon as you graduate, which may be problematic if you wanted to specialize.
Also, for the loan repayment option, the advertised "100% loan forgiveness" by year 6 is a little bit misleading, since it's "6 years or more", paid at a certain rate. They'll have repaid 200k by the end of year 6, which is quite a bit. Some of the private schools cost more than that, however...
Also, for the loan repayment option, the advertised "100% loan forgiveness" by year 6 is a little bit misleading, since it's "6 years or more", paid at a certain rate. They'll have repaid 200k by the end of year 6, which is quite a bit. Some of the private schools cost more than that, however...
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I was recently awarded the NHSC scholarship this year. It is extremely competivitive (they only award ~200 scholarships a year). However, that being said it is a great opportunity to work in under served communities. I would encourage anyone to apply that is interested in working in general or pediatric dentistry and is flexible in where they're willing to practice after graduation. I honestly believe the pros greatly outweigh the cons.
In addition to the website, the NHSC has a facebook page. In my opinion, sometimes this offers more information than the actual website. I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience so far. If you have any questions about the application process, etc just pm me
In addition to the website, the NHSC has a facebook page. In my opinion, sometimes this offers more information than the actual website. I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience so far. If you have any questions about the application process, etc just pm me
how competitive is the loan repayment option? would a dent student have the ability to go to residency then move to a location where respective specialist is needed and receive the money while working a normal job?
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Hey yappy...I'm really not familiar with the loan repayment option honestly since it's separate from the scholarship program :-( but I would def check out the fb page bc I know a lot of the loan repayment questions are answered on there
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anybody knows when their application for 2011 - 2012 cycle will be opened?
So if you would apply for the scholarship program and be awarded the scholarship, does the program pick where you will serve after dental school or do you pick? I will most likely be attending Temple and I imagine there are many areas around Philadelphia that are underserved. Would this be a viable option?
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I think... and someone correct me plz, that after you graduate, you have a voice in where you want to work... but ULTIMATELY they decide where you go, you can't argue much.
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from what i have researched, you do have a little bit of a say in where you go. unfortunately, the scholarship recipients have to go to the MOST under served areas of the country. in terms of where, its just like applying for a job, but you are competing with all of the other people looking to apply for those spots. not to mention, most places are available for loan repayment and not for the scholarship. most of the time, the people with scholarships don't get much of a say and are a slave to wherever the nhsc needs you because you can't back out. that's why the loan repayment option is more appealing to some people, because you can work where you want and then you apply for the loan repayment after you get the job. scholarship recipients have no choice and will most likely not get to work in an area they choose
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Can anyone confirm further about the location after graduating with the scholarship? I have read that you pick from any of the open job sites on their website, interview and select where you want to vo. It's only after a certain amount of time that they decide for you if you haven't already taken a job offer.
***Edited with followup, from their website****
This says for nursing but i think it's the same for the dental as well.
"Three months before your graduation, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) sends you information that will help you find the approved site where you must begin to fulfill your service commitment within 9 months of graduation if you are a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife or information that will enable you to defer your service commitment until you have completed an approved residency or other postgraduate training if you are a physician or dentist.
Because so much can change, we do not recommend you start your search for an eligible position at an approved site before you receive your placement package from the NHSC.
It is your responsibility to select sites that appeal to you and interview with them. The NHSC provides you with a listing of approved sites with eligible vacancies and helps you make arrangements for (and pays for) travel.
Once you have identified NHSC Job Opportunities vacancies of interest, forward your resume to the site and contact your advisor at the Recruitment and Training Service Center. We will work with you and your prospective site(s) to facilitate a successful match. Please keep in mind that some vacancies fill rather quickly and interviewing at certain locations can be quite competitive.
If you have not secured an eligible position at an approved site within 9 months of graduation, you lose your freedom of choice and the NHSC will select sites where you will interview.
Once have received a job offer from the NHSC approved site with an eligible vacancy where you want to fulfill your service commitment, submit the following documents to your advisor at the Recruitment and Training Service Center:
Copy of your job offer
Copy of your Acceptance Letter
Proof that you have passed all required exam(s)
Documentation supporting any changes to your name and/or notification of changes to your contact information
Start-date Verification Letter
Copy of your unrestricted, discipline-specific state license. One-year provisional licenses are not acceptable
Copy of your National Practitioner Data Bank Report
Scholar Placement Conference
The annual Scholar Placement Conference helps prepare you to interview at eligible sites and secure the position where you will fulfill your service commitment. You will also be able to meet with clinic administrators to talk about potential job opportunities. You are strongly encouraged to attend."
***Edited with followup, from their website****
This says for nursing but i think it's the same for the dental as well.
"Three months before your graduation, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) sends you information that will help you find the approved site where you must begin to fulfill your service commitment within 9 months of graduation if you are a physician assistant, nurse practitioner or certified nurse midwife or information that will enable you to defer your service commitment until you have completed an approved residency or other postgraduate training if you are a physician or dentist.
Because so much can change, we do not recommend you start your search for an eligible position at an approved site before you receive your placement package from the NHSC.
It is your responsibility to select sites that appeal to you and interview with them. The NHSC provides you with a listing of approved sites with eligible vacancies and helps you make arrangements for (and pays for) travel.
Once you have identified NHSC Job Opportunities vacancies of interest, forward your resume to the site and contact your advisor at the Recruitment and Training Service Center. We will work with you and your prospective site(s) to facilitate a successful match. Please keep in mind that some vacancies fill rather quickly and interviewing at certain locations can be quite competitive.
If you have not secured an eligible position at an approved site within 9 months of graduation, you lose your freedom of choice and the NHSC will select sites where you will interview.
Once have received a job offer from the NHSC approved site with an eligible vacancy where you want to fulfill your service commitment, submit the following documents to your advisor at the Recruitment and Training Service Center:
Copy of your job offer
Copy of your Acceptance Letter
Proof that you have passed all required exam(s)
Documentation supporting any changes to your name and/or notification of changes to your contact information
Start-date Verification Letter
Copy of your unrestricted, discipline-specific state license. One-year provisional licenses are not acceptable
Copy of your National Practitioner Data Bank Report
Scholar Placement Conference
The annual Scholar Placement Conference helps prepare you to interview at eligible sites and secure the position where you will fulfill your service commitment. You will also be able to meet with clinic administrators to talk about potential job opportunities. You are strongly encouraged to attend."
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This is correct.....this is the information new scholars were given at our orientation last month.
I am confused. So if you are to apply for a scholarship...do you have to secure a job at a site before you are awarded the scholarship? Or is it that they give you the scholarship based on your application alone, and you won't know where you will be serving until a few months before you graduate from school?
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you apply for the scholarship before you enter dental school. how could you have a job lined up by then? you look for a job from a list of possible sites they give you a couple months before graduation and then if your time is up and you haven't found a job, they will send you where they need you.
Ok, I got the basic concept of the scholarship program but I'm still a little confused about after dental school.
1) The website says that you apply for a job. Does the Health Corp pay you or are you working for an approved third party?
2) Does the Health Corps continue to pay you a monthly stipend? (I'm assuming not but it was unclear on their website)
3) If I got the scholarship would I have to serve for four years or can I just serve for two and pay them back the difference?
1) The website says that you apply for a job. Does the Health Corp pay you or are you working for an approved third party?
2) Does the Health Corps continue to pay you a monthly stipend? (I'm assuming not but it was unclear on their website)
3) If I got the scholarship would I have to serve for four years or can I just serve for two and pay them back the difference?
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Does anyone have any thoughts on how likely it is for a person to actually obtain one of the job placements that he seeks? I know it depends on a huge number of factors, but on a very general basis, I am wondering if the NHSC has a reputation for being easy-ish to go where one prefers, or if a large majority of dentists end up just being sent wherever needed.
Not sure. From what I read on their website it seems that some areas are more competitive than others.
To answer my own question above, I found this on their website about pay after graduation:
"Scholars negotiate their salaries with the employing site, but the NHSC requires that they be paid at least as much as they would in an equivalent Federal civil service position"
Does anyone know what an "equivalent federal civil service position" would pay?
To answer my own question above, I found this on their website about pay after graduation:
"Scholars negotiate their salaries with the employing site, but the NHSC requires that they be paid at least as much as they would in an equivalent Federal civil service position"
Does anyone know what an "equivalent federal civil service position" would pay?
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Question: so for those of you who were accepted into the NHSC program (where you have to give them the same number of years they paid for you)... how much do you earn at the sites they place you?
I know for the army, you will make about 70k per year. But how much does NHSC pay?
I know for the army, you will make about 70k per year. But how much does NHSC pay?
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I contacted a NHSC rep, here is my question and their answer...
Hi,
Can you help me understand the placement of scholarship recipients after graduating from dental school? Can you pick any of the places listed on the website and interview? or does the NHSC send you specific locations you have to apply and work at? Just need to know the specific details on location and job placement after graduation.
Nhsc Rep December 7 at 7:38am Report
Yes, Scholarship recipients are able to apply and interview at any NHSC-approved site that has an opening for a clinician and meets the minimum Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) score for that placement year. 2010's HPSA minimum for dentists was a score of 17. You can get an idea of what some of those sites are by going to http://nhscjobs.hrsa.gov/ to see what is currently available. Generally speaking 17 has been an average score, it may go up or down 2 to 3 points, but there is no guarantee.
Scholars choose which sites that you would like to apply and interview. We provide a modest amount for interview traveling expenses as well as moving expenses. In some rare instances, where a Scholars is having problems finding a placement, NHSC helps Scholars find a placement, but even within this there are options.
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Regards,
NHSC
*The interesting part in here for me was dentists are required to work in an area with a specific score (this year 17) which isn't too big a deal if it's low but if it hits say minimum score of 20 this will severely limit your options.
Regarding pay, I have heard the range is anywhere from 60-120k depending on location so it may be best to contact certain locations and see if they will give you an average salary range. I know one person said they started at around 80k and the next year were given a raise to over 100k. If this is true to pay seems to be comparable to military.
Hi,
Can you help me understand the placement of scholarship recipients after graduating from dental school? Can you pick any of the places listed on the website and interview? or does the NHSC send you specific locations you have to apply and work at? Just need to know the specific details on location and job placement after graduation.
Nhsc Rep December 7 at 7:38am Report
Yes, Scholarship recipients are able to apply and interview at any NHSC-approved site that has an opening for a clinician and meets the minimum Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) score for that placement year. 2010's HPSA minimum for dentists was a score of 17. You can get an idea of what some of those sites are by going to http://nhscjobs.hrsa.gov/ to see what is currently available. Generally speaking 17 has been an average score, it may go up or down 2 to 3 points, but there is no guarantee.
Scholars choose which sites that you would like to apply and interview. We provide a modest amount for interview traveling expenses as well as moving expenses. In some rare instances, where a Scholars is having problems finding a placement, NHSC helps Scholars find a placement, but even within this there are options.
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Regards,
NHSC
*The interesting part in here for me was dentists are required to work in an area with a specific score (this year 17) which isn't too big a deal if it's low but if it hits say minimum score of 20 this will severely limit your options.
Regarding pay, I have heard the range is anywhere from 60-120k depending on location so it may be best to contact certain locations and see if they will give you an average salary range. I know one person said they started at around 80k and the next year were given a raise to over 100k. If this is true to pay seems to be comparable to military.
Thanks for all of the info -- very helpful! Does anyone know when the application for the scholarship will be up for 2011?
I know you can still access the application for last year to get an idea of what it is like, but do the essay questions change from year to year?
I've been interested in this scholarship program for some time, but I'm worried that it would deter me from specializing by putting it off for two years. It seems you can only defer the service repayment to specialize in pediatric dentistry. bummer
I know you can still access the application for last year to get an idea of what it is like, but do the essay questions change from year to year?
I've been interested in this scholarship program for some time, but I'm worried that it would deter me from specializing by putting it off for two years. It seems you can only defer the service repayment to specialize in pediatric dentistry. bummer
usually opens up around april
