NHSC Scholarship vs NHSC Loan Repayor

[TempleDMDKrazd]

From my understanding the NHSC Loan Repayor is a program where you work 2 years minimum in an underserved area. Typical salary range is $120k + $25k loan repayment + 1 month vacation/sick pay, 401k, etc., which in my opinion is very good for a new graduate.

What about the NHSC Scholarship? I know at the end of your academic career you have to go work in an underserved area as per above (1 year for every year you are under the scholarship), but is the salary and benefits still the same or not since you will be getting a monthly stipend of roughly $1200 + all tuition and fees paid. If the salary is still around $120k that is one hella good deal. Anyone know any more information about this?

Thanks a lot!

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[DrAngie]

From my understanding the NHSC Loan Repayor is a program where you work 2 years minimum in an underserved area. Typical salary range is $120k + $25k loan repayment + 1 month vacation/sick pay, 401k, etc., which in my opinion is very good for a new graduate.

What about the NHSC Scholarship? I know at the end of your academic career you have to go work in an underserved area as per above (1 year for every year you are under the scholarship), but is the salary and benefits still the same or not since you will be getting a monthly stipend of roughly $1200 + all tuition and fees paid. If the salary is still around $120k that is one hella good deal. Anyone know any more information about this?

Thanks a lot!

The salary/benefits for either (scholarship or loan repayment site) is dependent on the site where you are employed. You apply and are interviewed just like any other job, but you select from a list of clinics that is on the NHSC website (they have listings for scholars and loan repayment sites). The salary/benefits are discussed at the interview. The clinic is who pays you, the fed govt (NHSC) is who gives the payment for the scholarship/stipend or loan repayment funds. You have a certain amount of time to find employment or you will be sent to a site.

 

[JatHRSA]

From my understanding the NHSC Loan Repayor is a program where you work 2 years minimum in an underserved area. Typical salary range is $120k + $25k loan repayment + 1 month vacation/sick pay, 401k, etc., which in my opinion is very good for a new graduate.

What about the NHSC Scholarship? I know at the end of your academic career you have to go work in an underserved area as per above (1 year for every year you are under the scholarship), but is the salary and benefits still the same or not since you will be getting a monthly stipend of roughly $1200 + all tuition and fees paid. If the salary is still around $120k that is one hella good deal. Anyone know any more information about this?

Thanks a lot!

Both the National Health Service Corps scholarship and loan repayment programs are “good deals” for everyone involved. Participating clinicians benefit financially, gain great clinical experience and get a chance to make a real difference for people and places that otherwise might go without.

The scholarship pays tuition, fees, many other education costs (all tax free) and provides a living stipend in exchange for one year of service at an approved site in a highest-need underserved area for each year of support, with a minimum service commitment of two years.

The loan repayment program provides $50,000, tax free, (or the outstanding eligible student loan balance if it is less than $50,000) in exchange for two years of service at an approved site in an underserved area. Loan repayors may be eligible to apply for additional years of support.

Scholars and loan repayors earn a competitive salary that is paid by the employing site.



Primary care physicians (MD and DO), dentists, nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives and physician assistants are eligible to apply to both programs. Here are some of the differences:

• Fewer scholarships are available. In a normal year, the NHSC awards about 40 scholarships and 1,000 loan repayment awards. This year, thanks to American Reinvestment and Recovery Act funds, those numbers could double -- the Corps expects to make 3,300 new loan repayment awards between 2009 and 2011.
• Scholars fulfill their service commitments in higher-need Health Professional Shortage Areas. This year, for example, primary care clinicians who received the scholarship must work at approved sites with a HPSA score of 14 or higher, while loan repayors receiving ARRA-funded awards can work at approved sites, regardless of their HPSA scores.
• Dental hygienists and certain mental health clinicians are eligible for the loan repayment program.

The NHSC scholarship application for the 2009-2010 school year has closed, but the NHSC is accepting loan repayment applications for ARRA-funded awards and will continue to accept them until September 2010 or all available funds are expended, whichever comes first. For more information and to apply, go to http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment.

Another helpful link: Find Shortage Areas: HPSAs by State and County

 

[SFO]

Anyone know if the 120k salary stated here is reasonable for NHSC shortage areas?

Or how hard it is to get an extension on loan repayment beyond the first two years?

As far as the work goes, how does the depth/breadth of procedures compare to what private dentists typically do?

 

[DentalQT]

I have a friend in the NHSC program that started at 85k and the next year they gave her a raise to 105k. It really depends on the state. I know of places in alaska paying 145k. It really, really depends....

But really, if you can get 120k great, but you have to search...

 

[MTD52]

In either the scholarship or LRP, are you required to serve at one of the places listed on this website?
http://nhscjobs.hrsa.gov/

At first I thought so, but then I was reading an application pdf and it seems to have some grey areas. I was wondering if you could "prove" that you're working in an underserved area, whether you choose to open your open practice and do so, or work for someone else.

 

[LNinlove]

bump

 

[bellybutton]

...but then I was reading an application pdf and it seems to have some grey areas...

Wait so, the application is out??

Or you were reading an older version? I've been checking the NHSC site and signed up for the email notification but they say they're not responsible if you don't get the email. Do you have a copy?

Anyone know when it's supposed to be released? Last year's was due April 6th and on the site it says "application deadline has passed" but that's for the 2009-2010 cycle. Seems like they haven't updated it in a while and I don't want to miss out! =/

 

[Andre3k]

Wait so, the application is out??

Or you were reading an older version? I've been checking the NHSC site and signed up for the email notification but they say they're not responsible if you don't get the email. Do you have a copy?

Anyone know when it's supposed to be released? Last year's was due April 6th and on the site it says "application deadline has passed" but that's for the 2009-2010 cycle. Seems like they haven't updated it in a while and I don't want to miss out! =/

Yeah i have been waiting on it to open for a while. It still says closed from last year. Keep us up dated.

 

[ElDiente]

Do you know if your friend was doing the scholarship program or the loan repayment program? I haven't found much information on the dental NHSC scholarship recipients because there are so few. Are there any dentists out there that could shed some light on their experience??

Will clinics hire you straight out of dental school without any post doctoral experience?

Since you are competing with the loan repayers for job placement, how hard is it to land a position in a place you desire?

What types of procedures are mainly conducted at these clinics?

Any help from a dentist who actually went thru with the NHSC scholarship would be greatly appreciated!

 

[BeachLuvr]

Hello,

I recently graduated and am now an NHSC loan repayer recipient. As stated above, the site really determines the salary. I was hired immediately out of school. Preferably they wanted someone with 2 years of experiences, but they were short on applicants and I was persistant. It has been a wonderful experience. Public health dentistry really gives you a different perspective on dentistry. You are dealing with vast medical complexities, and severely poor individuals. The experience is well worth it, and the loan award is also very benficial. Any questions, just send me a message 🙂

 

[avalanche]

Due to an increase in Federal Aid this year, the application deadline has been extended until July 29, 2010.

It has also been open for quite a few months now ( since the end of 2009 I believe, as I alerted some colleagues of mine to apply. )

please visit - http://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/ for all the relevant info.

I am about 5 months away from finishing my last service contract.
I did the initial 2 years and then got amendments for 2 subsequent years.
It appears they have done a good job of overhauling, and streamlining the application process since my time.

I would think it is extremely beneficial for those with hefty loans. I have paid off $125,000 tax free and am now debt free.

However be aware that once you make the initial commitment, you are locked in for those two years . There is quite a severe penalty for breaking the contract, financially, so if you have doubts about dealing with the job/co-workers etc, make sure you can gut it out. You are allowed to transfer to other sites which fall under the category of being in an underserved area, but I think that only applies in unique circumstances ( ie, your facility closes down ).

You are also restricted in the amount of days off you can take.

You can only miss 35 days of work (including holidays!, of which my employer has 7 ). But 28 days of freedom per year might be fine for many.

But luckily, I enjoy my job and though, salary and complex/interesting cases are less than what one would make and find in private practice, there are also a few less pressures involved.

Having been through just about 4 years of it, I would certainly do it again.

 

[tlynguyen]

When do you usually apply for the Loan Repayment Program? After you graduate from dental school?

 

[ilovegoldens]

I would also like to know, when do you apply for that?
After you graduate???

 

[kpooh]

if you do the scholarship, does this mean you have to start service right after d-school or do they allow you to specialize?

 

[shloopy]

if you do the scholarship, does this mean you have to start service right after d-school or do they allow you to specialize?

From the NHSC Scholarship website:

When does service begin?

"Participants are required to begin service as soon as possible upon graduation from school or, if applicable, upon completion of an approved advanced training program for which a deferment was granted.

"Dentists who elect to pursue a residency approved by BCRS are expected to begin service within 3 months of the completion of their approved residency (generally within 3 months of June 30). Dentists who do not receive a deferment to complete post-degree advanced training must secure necessary licensure and a job offer within 6 months of graduation and start work within 3 months of receipt of the job offer."

 

[DivaDDS]

Is there a GPA minimum for the NHSC scholarship program?