Need Access Primary Care Contract Question

[3838]

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I can't find this anywhere on SDN, but if you've seen something along these lines, let me know. So, there is a question on need access.

If funds were available for students who agree to practice in primary care,
would you be willing to sign a contract committing yourself to up to five years
of service in a primary care field? -Yes - No

While I'm extremely interested in going into a primary care field, I have several issues with answering yes to this question without more information.

1. I'm not willing to commit myself to a contract until 4th year, when I have done my rotations. I'm not naive enough to assume that nothing will change after rotations.
2. I'm most interested in OB/GYN b/c of my background experience with women's health. Some definitions don't include this as a primary care field. The federal government does as far as I know.
3. If I mark yes to this question, am I indicating that I absolutely will sign the contract?
4. I don't know the details of the contract -- what the penalty is, how much money we're talking about. I'm not going to commit myself blindly.

 

[Ismet]

I believe it's talking about the National Health Service Corps scholarship.

If you're not willing to commit yourself to anything until 4th year, just say no. The website isn't loading right now, but I seem to remember something about the "penalties" being pretty steep if you decide not to go into a primary care field. The scholarship turns into a loan with an obscene interest rate or something.

 

[274631]

You still have to accept or deny a financial aid offer right? My guess would be its not a binding commitment, at least not at this point. I would guess they would follow up with an official application or something that would have more information about the program.

 

[El Nino]

If you're a referring to the NHSC scholarship then OB/GYN is listed as an approved post-graduate training program. It's listed on page 17

http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/downloads/spapplicationguide.pdf