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• Default on any federal payment obligations (e.g., Department of Education student loans,
Health Education Assistance Loans, Nursing Student Loans, Federal Housing
Administration Loans, federal income tax liabilities, federally guaranteed/insured loans
(e.g., student or home mortgage loans)).
• Default on any non-federal payment obligations (e.g., court-ordered child support
payments or state tax liabilities).
• Write-offs/charge-offs of any federal or non-federal debts as uncollectible, or waiver of
any federal service or payment obligation.
• Default on a prior service obligation to the federal government, a state or local
government, or other entity, unless the obligation was subsequently satisfied.
• Judgment liens arising from federal debt.
• Failure/refusal to provide appropriate permission/consent for the National Health
Service Corps to access the scholar’s credit report and failure/refusal to unfreeze a
frozen credit report.
(2) Academic performance. Demonstrates the ability to excel and maintain good academic
standing while in school.
(3) Commitment to a career in primary care and working in underserved communities.
Demonstrates a strong commitment to the field of primary care; motivation to provide care
to underserved communities; willingness to be geographically flexible; and relevant
experience (i.e., community service, research, and internships) that has prepared the
applicant to work with underserved populations. This factor is reviewed through the
following:
• Essay Question. An applicant’s response to the essay question aids in the review
process and helps gauge an applicant’s interest in primary care and commitment
to working in underserved communities.
• Two Recommendation Letters. Recommenders provide a detailed description of
the applicant’s performance in school; education/work achievements;
community/civic or other non-academic achievements; ability to work and
communicate constructively with others from diverse backgrounds; and interest
and motivation to serve underserved populations through work experience,
coursework, special projects, research, etc.
(4) Not be currently excluded, debarred, suspended, or disqualified by a federal agency. Before
entering into a scholarship contract, an applicant must report if they are currently excluded,
debarred, suspended or disqualified by a federal agency. (Please see the “Certification
Regarding Debarment, Suspension, Disqualification and Related Matters” section in the online
application.) The applicant must sign the Certification that is applicable to their situation.
As a condition of participating in the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program, a scholar must
agree to provide immediate written notice to the National Health Service Corps Scholarship Program if they
learn they failed to make a required disclosure or that a disclosure is now required due to changed
circumstances.