ATSU-ASDOH GRADUATE LOAN Repayment PROGRAM

The Connect the Docs graduate loanship program is made possible by a $100,000 grant from the United Health Foundation.

Information for Applicants - Funding Year 2012-2013

With a generous grant from United Health Foundation, the ATSU-ASDOH Graduate Loan Repayment Program is designed to proactively address the nation’s workforce shortage. The goal is to provide an incentive for ASDOH graduates to enter practice in qualified community health centers (CHC) where there is a demonstrated need for dentists. The loan repayment provides financial relief complementing the graduate’s ability to serve in a CHC while reducing his or her student loan debt. The amount of the award is currently $25,000 per year for a two-year commitment for two recipients.

Requirements for applicants:

Applicant must be a fourth year ASDOH student or an ASDOH graduate
Applicant must have a minimum of a two year contract (or a minumum of two years remaining on a current contract) practicing in a CHC or other nonprofit community clinic in Arizona, Texas, Florida or New York
Site must be located in a HRSA designated Health Professions Shortage Area (HPSA)
Applicant must be filling, or have filled, a vacant position or a position about to be vacated by a current practicing dentist
Applicant must agree to provide information on lenders in order for ATSU to transfer loan repayment funds directly to the applicant’s lender
Applicant must agree to provide quarterly verification of ongoing employment throughout the two years of the program
Applicant must agree to provide an annual report that verifies continuous employment for each year of the program and complete and submit the results of a “360° evaluation” in order to receive annual disbursement of funds

Download the ASDOH Graduate Loanship Program Application here

**Application deadline is August 17, 2012**

Applications will be reviewed by a panel of judges consisting of ASDOH Faculty and Administration and scored using a pre-determined matrix. The Graduate Loan Repayment recipients will be notified by August 30, 2012. Applicants who were not selected for award will be notified by August 31, 2012.

To see a snapshot of the previous recipients of the Graduate Loan Repayment Program Click Here.

Once a student or graduate has been selected as a Graduate Loan Repayment recipient, an acceptance letter and agreement will be executed. The agreement will specify the dollar amount, reporting requirements and time lines, timeframes for fund disbursement to lender, and consequences associated with non-fulfillment. Agreements will be for a two-year commitment. Recipients must maintain continuous employment at the approved site for each year to receive the funds at the end of the year. No partial awards will be allowed. If a recipient discontinues employment at the approved site for any reason before either of the annual reporting dates, funds will not be disbursed. ATSU-ASDOH Graduate Loan Repayment recipients will be audited quarterly to verify ongoing employment and will be required to submit a report at the end of each year verifying continuous employment along with the submission of a "360° evaluation" to fulfill the terms of the agreement. Once compliance is verified, the ATSU-ASDOH Graduate Loan Repayment funds will be sent to the graduate's lender.