About the Health Profession Education Program (HPEP) of Nevada
The Nevada Office of WICHE was created to help Nevada students afford the cost of graduate/undergraduate medical education in occupational fields with high workforce demands and a shortage of providers. In exchange for funding, recipients agree to physically reside in Nevada and practice (employment) in your professional field upon completion of your education in a health profession shortage area (HPSA) or a medically underserved area.
Health Profession Shortage Areas (HPSAs) are federal designations that indicate health care provider shortages in primary care, dental health, or mental health. Shortage areas may be:
- Geographic-based (a shortage of providers for the entire population within a defined geographic area).
- Population-based (a shortage of providers for a specific population group within a defined geographic area – e.g., low income, Medicaid recipients, homeless individuals, migrant farmworkers, etc.), or;
- Facility-based (Federally Qualified Health Centers, correctional facilities, tribal facilities, state mental hospitals, etc.)
- There are many urban settings in Clark and Washoe Counties that qualify. Go to Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Find Shortage Areas by Address or HRSA Map Tool to find medically underserved areas or populations to meet HPEP service requirements.
The goal of our program is to grow the Nevada healthcare workforce.
If you anticipate leaving Nevada in the short-term, it is not recommended to apply for or accept funding.
Health Profession Education Program (HPEP) Funding and Service Requirement
| Field of Study | 2023-2025 Support Fee Funding Amount | After Graduation and Licensure, Employment Service Requirement to Repay Stipend |
|---|---|---|
|
Master of Social Work (MSW)
|
Nevada Office of WICHE Requirements
- You must be a Nevada resident for at least one (1) year prior to applying. You must maintain your Nevada residency while in school.
- If awarded, your funding is sent directly to your school on your behalf. You will be responsible for the balance of tuition and fees as determined by your school.
- You must remain and physically reside in Nevada, and practice (employment) in the profession for which you received assistance upon graduation and licensure in your practice field. One year of full-time employment is required per funding disbursement in a health profession shortage area or medically underserved area in Nevada as determined by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Find Shortage by Address or Map Tool. If you need assistance in determining if an area in Nevada meets this requirement, please contact our office
- Defaulting on the program’s employment requirement will result in your stipend converting to a loan with accrued interest and applicable penalties. Funding must be repaid in service to the State of Nevada within one year after the completion of your education. The participant has up to five years to fulfill their service obligation.
- While you are a participant of the program, you are required to keep the Nevada Office of WICHE informed by completing an online Practice Questionnaire twice a year (every six months). Along with the online Practice Questionnaire you will be required to attach supporting documentation to document that you are meeting program requirements. While in school you will need to provide a copy of your unofficial transcript (enrollment), Nevada driver’s license (Nevada residency), and contact information. After you graduate you must provide our office with a copy of your employment verification letter to track the practice service hours completed, practice license, Nevada driver’s license and contact information.
- You may be eligible for one additional funding disbursement as you progress in your studies and will have to reapply for consideration.