The IHS Scholarship Program offers qualified American Indian and Alaska Native health profession students a unique opportunity to establish an educational foundation as they prepare to pursue a career in Indian health. Each scholarship (Preparatory, Pre-Graduate and health professions) is defined by applicant and degree program eligibility and provides generous financial aid packages (information available at www.ihs.gov/scholarship). The ultimate goal of the program is to develop health care providers and the next leaders of Indian health communities. Since IHS began providing scholarship support to American Indian and Alaska Native students to pursue health profession careers in 1978, the program has grown to support, educate and place health care professionals within medically underserved Indian health programs throughout the continental United States and Alaska. Today, nearly 7,000 American Indian and Alaska Native students have received scholarship awards and many have committed to serving their health profession careers at IHS; some have even returned to serve their own Tribal communities.
The online application process decreased the number of scholars completing hard copy forms IHS-856-3, IHS-856-5, and IHS-856-6. While IHS has incorporated these forms in the online application process (i.e., forms IHS- 856-3, IHS-856-5 and IHS-856-6) the applicants still need to provide this information as part of the online, electronic application.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
IHS Scholarship Program Application