Nurse Faculty Loan Program Guidance

IV. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to Request Application Package

Application Materials

Applicants may download a copy of the 2008 NFLP application material.

• Application form SF 424 R&R-NFLP (Fillable PDF - 203KB)
  

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

Application Format Guidelines

Compliance with the following instructions supports consistent formatting from all applicants. An applicant’s failure to comply with these instructions may jeopardize the review of their application.

• Applications must be submitted in English and typed on 8 ½ x 11-inch plain white paper.
  
  
• Applications must not exceed 30 pages including program summary, agreement and appendices. Applications that exceed the page limit will be deemed non-compliant. All non-compliant applications will be returned to the applicant without further consideration.
  
  
• Margins must be at least one (1) inch at the top, bottom, right and left of the paper.
  
  
• The text portion of the application must be submitted in 12 point Arial or 12 point Times New Roman font, and single line spacing. (See examples below)

• Size and type standards apply only to the sections of the application normally prepared by applicants. Applicants will not be held responsible for items prepared by entities over which it has no control (e.g., letters of recommendation and support, biographical sketches, and attachments).
  
  
• The application must be numbered sequentially from page 1 (face page) to the end of the application, including the attachments. Pages must be numbered using whole numbers only; use of alphas or decimals such as 3A or 3.1, etc are not acceptable.
  
  
• Pages must be one-sided.
  
  
• All application materials should be prepared in black and white.

Application Format

i. Application Face Page

Applicants must use the SF-424 R&R application face page to provide required applicant information. Please read and follow the instructions for completing this form carefully. Some fields are pre-filled and should not be changed. Some fields are not applicable and should not be completed. Only provide information for the fields that we have provided instructions to complete. Please print, sign and date the completed form (pages 3 and 4 only). The completed SF-424 R& R must be submitted with all other application components.

The SF-424 R&R form is available for download at the top of this page. You may need to download the latest version of Adobe Reader in order to complete the fillable SF 424 R&R. Visit the Adobe Reader Web site for the free downloadable version of Adobe reader.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE SF-424 R&R

DUNS Number
All applicant organizations are required to have a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number in order to apply for an award from the Federal Government. The DUNS number is a unique nine-character identification number provided by the commercial company, Dun and Bradstreet. There is no charge to obtain a DUNS number. Information about obtaining a DUNS number can be found at HRSA Grants or call 1-866-705-5711. Please include the DUNS number in item 5 on the application face page. Applications will not be processed without a DUNS number.

Additionally, the applicant organization is required to register with the Federal Government’s Central Contractor Registry (CCR) in order to do electronic business with the Federal Government. Information about registering with the CCR can be found at HRSA Grants.

ii. Table of Contents

2007 Nurse Faculty Loan Program Table of Contents   Application Face Page (SF-424 R&R)...............................1 Table of Contents...........................................................2 Program Abstract............................................................3 Program Narrative............................................................4 Attachment 1 - 2008 NFLP Agreement Attachment 2 - NFLP Program Summary Attachment 3 - Documentation of Accreditation/Approvals Attachment 4 - Letter from the Department of Education, if applicable Attachment 5 - Documentation of Collaborative Arrangement, if applicable Application 6– Application Checklist

iii. Application Checklist

The NFLP application checklist must be completed and submitted to complete the content of the application and is included in this application guidance as ATTACHMENT 6.

iv. Budget

The NFLP is a formula-based program that does not require a budget submission.

v. Budget Justification

The NFLP is a formula-based program that does not require a budget submission.

vi. Staffing Plan and Personnel Requirements

The SF-424 R&R application face page must identify the key personnel responsible for the proposed project. Under the NLFP, the project director (school of nursing coordinator), the business office official (financial aid office coordinator), and the authorized representative/official at the institution are considered key personnel. Applicants may refer to Section III of this application guidance for additional information regarding the role of key personnel.

vii. Assurances

The assurances for the NFLP are included in the application guidance as part of the 2008 NFLP agreement referenced in section xii below (ATTACHMENT 1, Section J). The official of the applicant school accepts, as Federal funds are allocated and paid as a result of this application, the obligation to comply with the applicable Federal non-discrimination and assurances. Signing of the application face page and the NFLP agreement indicates acceptance of these assurances.

viii. Certifications and Other Requirements

The certifications and other requirements for the NFLP are included in the application guidance as part of the 2008 NFLP Agreement referenced in section xii below (ATTACHMENT 1, Section J). The official of the applicant school accepts, as Federal funds are allocated and paid as a result of this application, the obligation to comply with the applicable Federal certifications and other requirements. Signing of the application face page and the NFLP agreement indicates acceptance of these certifications and other requirements.

ix. Project Abstract

The application must provide a summary of the proposed project. The project abstract is often distributed to provide information to the public and Congress. It must include a brief description of the proposed project including the eligible nursing education program(s) of study that will prepare qualified nurse faculty, the current and/or projected number of master’s and doctoral NFLP student participants, and the number of NFLP graduates employed as nurse faculty. Please prepare the abstract so that it is clear, accurate, concise, and without reference to other parts of the application.

The project abstract must be single-spaced and limited to one page in length. The project abstract must be submitted to complete the content of the application.

Please place the following information at the top of the abstract:

• Project Title (Indicate Nurse Faculty Loan Program)
• School of Nursing Coordinator/Project Director (Full Name & Credentials)
• Applicant Institution Name
• Address
• Contact Phone Numbers (Voice, Fax)
• E-Mail Address

x. Program Narrative

The program narrative must be submitted to complete the content of the application. Use the following section headers for the Narrative:

• INTRODUCTION
  This section should briefly describe the proposed project. Provide an overview of the master’s and/or doctoral nursing education program(s) that prepares nurse faculty and how the specific education component(s) offered will qualify students for their role as nurse faculty.
  
  Include evidence of the graduate nursing program accreditation status (National League of Nursing and/or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, American College of Nurse-Midwives, American Association of Nurse Anesthetists’ Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs). Accreditation information should include the accrediting body, accreditation status and expiration date. Applicants must submit a copy of the accreditation letter with the application as ATTACHMENT 3.
  
  For new programs (i.e., new master’s and doctoral programs, new tracks/specialties), applicants must provide documentation of all approvals needed to initiate the program and enroll students, including those approvals needed for new courses and programs of study. Identify all steps in the approval process (i.e., copy of letter or meeting minutes from – Nursing Faculty Committee, Institutional Committees/Boards, State bodies, National Professional Associations). Include documentation as part of ATTACHMENT 3.
  
  The education component may be offered through the school of nursing or another entity within the University or College; however, the terminal degree must be in nursing. The school may offer the education component for graduate credit through a formal collaboration with another campus or University. Describe any collaborative arrangements. Documentation of any formal collaborative arrangement should be included with the application as ATTACHMENT 5.
  
  
• NEEDS ASSESSMENT
  This section outlines the needs of your community and/or organization. Describe the local, state and regional demand for nurse faculty (i.e., vacancy rates). Specify the number of full-time and part-time students interested in participating in the NFLP at your school. Describe the level of NFLP student participation at your school and whether the program is expected to expand.
  
  Specify the number of NFLP loan recipients that received funding in the past academic year (continuing students) who are committed for support in the upcoming academic year and the number of new students (never received NFLP support) projected to request NFLP support in the upcoming academic year.
  
  
• METHODOLOGY
  Not applicable to the NFLP.
  
  
• WORK PLAN
  This section should identify the nurse educator competencies to be achieved upon completion of the program.
  
  The competencies assume that a nurse educator is a skilled health care provider who meets professional nursing standards and has graduate nursing preparation to assume a role as a qualified nursing faculty in a clinical and/or classroom environment. For example, graduates should be able to apply pedagogically appropriate teaching strategies through the development of curriculum designs for both classroom and clinical instruction; and be able to create effective methods for evaluation of student learning outcomes. These competencies can be met through didactic coursework, experiential learning and/or a mentored practicum in teaching.
  
  1. Plan of Study
  
  Provide the sample plan of study for full-time students and the plan of study for part-time students (3-year and 5-year plan and as appropriate for the doctoral program). Applicants should clearly describe how the part-time plan of study will enable the part-time student to progress through the program requirements (including the education components) within the timeframe proposed by the plan of study. Please give the statute of limitation for a master’s and/or doctoral degree program.

  IMPORTANT NOTE: Students who participate in NFLP are required to complete the education component prior to graduation from the nursing education program; otherwise the borrower will be responsible for repayment of the NFLP loan.

  Include the following information for each semester/quarter: course number and title, number of credits, number of clinical and didactic hours, and any distance learning methods used. Specifically identify the total number of clinical clock hours and didactic clock hours in the curriculum for each specialty for which support is requested.

  Provide the school’s definition of full-time and part-time graduate study (i.e., school’s full-time-equivalent definition).

  2. Education Component(s)

  Describe the education component(s) that will prepare students to become nurse faculty. The component may consist of an education course(s) or a mentored teaching practicum identified within the curriculum and may be offered through a wide range of teaching methods, including distance learning. Provide the following information on each education component (didactic and practicum): course title and catalog number, whether the education component is offered for both the master’s and/or doctoral programs, objectives, topical outline, teaching-learning methods, the number of credits hours, and specify whether it is required or elective.

  Use the following format to describe each education component:

  Course Title and Number:
  - Specify Master’s and/or Doctoral Offering
  - Number of Credit Hours
  - Practicum Hours, if applicable
  - Specify whether the course is required or elective for NFLP recipients
  Course Objective and Competencies Addressed:
  Course Outline:
  Teaching/Learning Methods:

• RESOLUTION OF CHALLENGES
  Describe any challenges related to maintaining or expanding the current level of participation in the NFLP, the challenges related to NFLP graduates establishing full-time employment as nurse faculty, and approaches that will be used in resolving such challenges. Existing NFLP schools that have a significant unused accumulation (cash balance) should address the challenges related to expending these funds.
  
  
• EVALUATION AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT CAPACITY
  Describe the capacity for administering the program at your school. Describe the staff responsible for recruitment, student orientation, program monitoring, and completion and submission of reports.
  
  Provide specific information on how the student will be oriented on the program participation guidelines and requirements; and identify the person responsible for advising the student on the enrollment and employment requirements and the cancellation provision.
  
  
• ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION
  Provide information on the applicant’s (Department, College and/or School of Nursing) current mission and structure, scope of current activities, an organizational chart, and describe how these contribute to the ability of the organization to conduct the program requirements and meet program expectations.

  Describe the institutional resources (systems, office/divisions, external service agency) that will be used to manage the collection, repayment, monitoring, and tracking of graduates’ employment.

xi. Program Specific Attachments

• Program Specific Attachments (Word - 176KB)

The school must enter into a yearly agreement with HHS to establish and operate a NFLP fund according to the terms and conditions for participating in the NFLP. The original signature of the signed 2008 NFLP Agreement must be submitted to complete the content of the application and included in this application guidance as ATTACHMENT 1. The 2008 NFLP Agreement must be signed by the Authorized Official at the institution.

All applicants must address the information requested in the NFLP Program Summary to be considered for funding. The NFLP Program Summary must be submitted to complete the content of the application and included in this application guidance as ATTACHMENT 2.

All applicants must complete the NFLP Application Checklist to complete the content of the application and included in this application guidance as ATTACHMENT 6.

xii. Attachments

In addition to the program specific attachments above, applicants must provide the following items as attachments (if applicable) to complete the content of the application. Please note that these are supplementary in nature, and are not intended to be a continuation of the project narrative.

ATTACHMENT 1 – 2008 NFLP Agreement
ATTACHMENT 2 – NFLP Program Summary
ATTACHMENT 3 – Accreditation Documentation/Approvals
ATTACHMENT 4 – Letter from the Department of Education (if applicable)
ATTACHMENT 5 – Documentation of Collaborative Arrangement (if applicable)
ATTACHMENT 6 – NFLP Application Checklist

3. Application Due Dates and Times

Notification of Intent to Apply

This does not apply to the NFLP.

Application Due Date

Applications MUST BE POSTMARKED by May 13, 2008 by 8:00 P.M. E.T. Applications will be considered as meeting the deadline if they are either (1) received on or before the deadline date; or (2) postmarked on or before the deadline date and received in time for orderly processing. A legibly dated receipt from a commercial carrier or U.S. Postal Service will be accepted in lieu of a postmark. Private metered postmarks shall not be accepted as proof of timely mailing. Late applications will not be accepted for processing and will be returned to the applicant.

Late Applications

Applications that do not meet the criteria above are considered late applications. HRSA shall notify each late applicant that its application will not be considered in the current application cycle.

The Chief Grants Management Officer (CGMO) or designee may authorize an extension of published deadlines when justified by circumstances such as acts of God (e.g. floods or hurricanes), widespread disruptions of mail service, or other disruptions of services, such as a prolonged blackout. The authorizing official will determine the affected geographical area(s).

Submission of Application Material

Applicants should mail or deliver the completed and signed original of the application to the address below.

Division of Nursing (NFLP)
Bureau of Health Professions
Health Resources and Services Administration
Department of Health and Human Services
Parklawn Building, Room 9-36
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857

4. Intergovernmental Review

The provisions of Executive Order 12372, as implemented by 45 CFR 100, do not apply to the NFLP.

5. Funding Restrictions

NFLP applicants responding to this announcement may request funding for the 2008-2009 academic year to support NFLP loan recipients enrolled full-time or part-time in an eligible program that will prepare students to become qualified nursing faculty. Applicants that currently participate in the NFLP and request support for continuing NFLP loan recipients will be funded ahead of new NFLP applicants.

IMPORTANT NOTE: NFLP funds are allocated to award existing NFLP schools with continuing students first. The remaining funds are used to award additional new students at existing NFLP schools and/or new applicant schools until funds are expended. In FY 2007, limited funds were available to new students and new applicant schools requesting NFLP support.

6. Other Submission Requirements

Please understand that we will not consider additional information and/or materials submitted after your initial application. You must therefore ensure that all materials are submitted together.

We will not accept submission or re-submission of incomplete, rejected, or otherwise delayed applications after the deadline.