Clinical Laboratory Services Workforce Enhancement Scholarship FAQs

• General
• Applying for and Accepting this Scholarship
• Employment Commitment
• Repayment
• Academic Program
• Clinical Laboratory Services Workforce Enhancement Scholarship Information Page
• Clinical Laboratory Services Workforce Enhancement Scholarship Application Form

General

1. What is a service scholarship? A service scholarship is a scholarship that requires the recipient to fulfill a service obligation. If Recipient chooses not to fulfill the service obligation, then the scholarship funds with interest must be repaid. See the  Service Scholarships webpage for more information.
2. Who is eligible for the Clinical Laboratory Services Workforce Enhancement Scholarship? Students enrolled in the Traditional Medical Laboratory Science Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Medical Laboratory Science MLT-MLS Advanced Standing program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, or Traditional Histotechnology Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
3. Is the Clinical Laboratory Services Workforce Enhancement Scholarship a loan? Yes, this scholarship is structured as a ‘forgivable’ loan. There is an employment service commitment required for forgiveness eligibility.
4. How do I ensure that the loan I receive is forgiven? You must meet the required employment commitment to receive forgiveness of 100% of the amount you receive.

 Applying for and Accepting this Scholarship

1. How will I know that I have been awarded this scholarship? Students awarded receive an email via their UMMC account with a link to their contract. The award can also be seen in the student’s Workday.
2. When will I know that I have been awarded this scholarship? Students awarded will receive an email via their UMMC account with a link to their contract. The award can also be seen in the student’s Workday.
3. Do I have to accept the scholarship every semester I am in the program? The online application must be completed each and every academic semester for which the Applicant seeks this scholarship, and Recipient must apply for, be awarded, and accept the scholarship. Recipient must agree to a service commitment of one-year for each semester that the scholarship award is accepted and received by Recipient.
4. Do I have to apply for the scholarship every semester? Yes, the online application must be completed each and every academic semester for which the Applicant seeks this scholarship, and Recipient must apply for, be awarded, and accept the scholarship. Preference will be given to students previously awarded in prior academic semester(s).
5. Should I also file for financial aid to supplement all other expenses? That is an individual decision to be made by you.
6. If I accept the scholarship will this negate any further student aid offered federally through institutional scholarships? Acceptance of this scholarship award will not affect your eligibility for other available student aid for which you are qualified. However, please note that you are only eligible for a total aid package up to the total cost of attendance for the program.  For additional information, visit the Traditional Medical Laboratory Science Program cost of attendance page for additional information, Medical Laboratory Science MLT-MLS Advanced Standing Program cost of attendance page or Traditional Histotechnology Program estimated cost of attendance page for additional information.
7. What if I have already been awarded a financial aid award? You are only eligible for a total aid package up to the total cost of attendance for the program. Therefore, if you choose to accept this scholarship award, other aid you have received (including loans) may be reduced. Visit the Traditional Medical Laboratory Science Program cost of attendance page for additional information regarding the cost associated with the Traditional Medical Laboratory Science Program. Visit Medical Laboratory Science MLT-MLS Advanced Standing Program cost of attendance page for additional information regarding the cost associated with the Medical Laboratory Science Advanced Standing Program. Visit Traditional Histotechnology Program estimated cost of attendance page for additional information regarding the cost associated with the Traditional Histotechnology Program.
8. How long will it take for the scholarship award money to be applied to my account? The timeline for the scholarship award to be disbursed depends in part on when you sign your contract and when you accept the award in WorkDay. Consult the disbursement schedule found on the Office of Student Financial Services website.
9. How will I be notified that the award has been applied to my account? You can access information about your account in WorkDay.
10. What is the interest rate on the loan? If Recipient fails to satisfy all required UMMC pre-employment qualifications and/or fails to begin employment in a full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position no later than sixty (60) days after graduation from the Traditional Medical Laboratory Science Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Medical Laboratory Science MLT-MLS Advanced Standing Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, or Traditional Histotechnology Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center is terminated for cause from UMMC during the service commitment period, unless due to a reduction in workforce, Recipient will be required to repay in full the scholarship awarded. Recipient agrees that any amounts due and owing under this contract, subject to applicable law, may be taken from his or her final paycheck. The remaining balance, if any, will convert to a loan repayable over a one-year period at the annual interest rate of 8% with a minimum required payment of one thousand dollars ($1000) per month. Upon termination, the scholarship will convert to a loan that may be reported to a credit bureau and will be accelerated and assigned to a collection agency after ninety (90) days past due.
11. Can I deduct student loan interest on my tax return? Typically, student loan interest is deductible, but each individual’s tax situation is different and you should seek the advice of a tax professional to determine if you are able to deduct student loan interest. However, interest is only charged if the Recipient fails to satisfy all required UMMC pre-employment qualifications and/or fails to begin employment in a full-time qualifying clinical laboratory services position no later than sixty (60) days after graduation from the Traditional Medical Laboratory Science Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Medical Laboratory Science Advanced Standing Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, or Traditional Histotechnology Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center or is terminated for cause from UMMC during the service commitment period.
12. Are there any other hidden fees (i.e., processing fees) associated with the loan that are incurred? There are no processing fees specific to this scholarship. All applicable potential costs/fees will be clearly referenced in the contract.
13. Will I be provided a copy of my signed scholarship contract? Once signed, you will be able to download a copy of the signed scholarship contract from the scholarship processing system.

Employment Commitment

1. What employment commitment is required?  For each semester you accept and receive the scholarship award, you will be required to work in a Qualifying Position at UMMC for one year. As an example, if you accept and receive the scholarship for three (3) semesters, you will be required to meet a three (3) year employment commitment. The employment commitment applies to being directly hired by UMMC and not being hired through Healthier Mississippi People or other staffing agencies. The service commitment begins no later than sixty (60) days after graduation from the Traditional Medical Laboratory Science Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Medical Laboratory Science MLT-MLS Advanced Standing Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, or Traditional Histotechnology Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The commitment period will begin after completing designated orientation period required for the full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position with UMMC.
2. What are the different types of positions that I could accept to meet the program’s employment commitment? Qualifying positions are determined by UMMC health system leadership and are subject to change depending on staffing needs.
3. Is there a set number of days after graduation that I am required to accept a job with UMMC before being required to repay the loan? Employment in a full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position must begin no later than thirty (60) days after graduation from the Traditional Medical Laboratory Science Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Medical Laboratory Science MLT-MLS Advanced Standing Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, or Traditional Histotechnology Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Within ten (10) days of completing the ninety (90) day orientation period and annually thereafter, Recipient must provide the Office of Student Financial Services via email to acct-studentsloans@umc.edu with written verification of full-time UMMC employment in a qualifying clinical laboratory services position. The commitment period will begin after completing the designated orientation period required for the full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position with UMMC.
4. How will my time be tracked as time served in a qualifying position? The employment commitment requires one-year for each semester that the award is accepted and received by Recipient. Recipient’s service is tracked by the Office of Financial Aid, which requires student documentation and electronic verification. Employment in a full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position must begin no later than thirty (60) days after graduation from the Traditional Medical Laboratory Science Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Medical Laboratory Science MLT-MLS Advanced Standing Program, or Traditional Histotechnology Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Within ten (10) days of completing the ninety (90) day orientation period and annually thereafter, Recipient must provide the Office of Student Financial Services via email to acctstudentsloans@umc.edu with written verification of full-time UMMC employment in a qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position.
5. What if I gain full-time employment in qualifying position and it is decided that it is not the best fit for me? Recipient will be eligible to transfer to a full-time clinical laboratory services position in another UMMC clinical laboratory service department after one year of qualifying service.
6. What will my salary be with UMMC in a full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position?  Salaries are continuously reviewed by UMMC to determine market competitiveness. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians salary information is published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Repayment

1. How will the loan repayment work? If Recipient fails to satisfy all required UMMC pre-employment qualifications and/or fails to begin employment in a full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position no later than thirty (60) days after graduation from the Traditional Medical Laboratory Science Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, Medical Laboratory Science MLT-MLS Advanced Standing Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, or Traditional Histotechnology Program in the School of Health Related Professions at the University of Mississippi Medical Center or is terminated for cause from UMMC during the service commitment period, unless due to a reduction in workforce, Recipient will be required to repay in full the scholarship awarded. The amounts due may be taken from Recipient’s final paycheck. The remaining balance, if any, will convert to a loan repayable over a one-year period at the annual interest rate of 8% with a minimum required payment of one thousand dollars ($1000) per month. Upon termination, the scholarship will convert to a loan that may be reported to a credit bureau and will be accelerated and assigned to a collection agency after ninety (90) days past due.

The obligation to repay the award may be partially or totally discharged for the following reasons:

1. Death - UMMC will discharge the total amount owed on this default penalty award.
2. Total and Permanent Disability - If the Recipient becomes totally and permanently disabled after he or she receives this scholarship, UMMC will discharge the total amount owed on this award.

This award cannot be dissolved in bankruptcy.

2. If I am unable to find a job during this time frame or choose to take a job elsewhere during the time frame specified, will I be required to pay interest, if paid within that timeframe? If you do not qualify for and accept offered employment at UMMC in a full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position, then you will be required to repay in full the scholarship awarded, and the balance will convert to a loan repayable over a one-year period at the annual interest rate of 8% with a minimum required payment of one thousand dollars ($1000) per month. Interest and the repayment period will begin 40 days after you graduate. You will be required to repay the full amount of the scholarship you received
3. Are there any other ways for this loan to be forgiven (i.e. working for another public hospital or state agency)?  Only employment at UMMC in a full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position will satisfy the employment commitment requirements of the scholarship. Death, total/permanent disability, or separation from UMMC employment due to reduction in force are criteria for which forgiveness may occur.
4. Can this loan ever be garnished from my check? Yes, this loan can be garnished from your check. If you do not meet your employment commitment and do not repay the amount owed as required, your paycheck may be subject to garnishment.
5. Will this loan be forgiven if for some reason bankruptcy is declared? Absent unusual and specific circumstances, student loans are generally not dischargeable in bankruptcy proceedings.
6. Is there any way to defer repayment should I choose to leave my job at UMMC in a full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences before serving my full employment commitment? No, there is no way to defer repayment should you choose to leave your full-time qualifying clinical laboratory sciences position at UMMC. Your repayment obligation will begin immediately if you breach the contract.

 Academic Program 

1.  What will happen in the event that I fail a semester? So long as you remain in the program and continue to meet selection criteria, you remain eligible for the award. If you are no longer participating in the program, then you will be required to repay the scholarship amount previously disbursed. If you go on LOA but still plan to complete the program, you will need to request a waiver to delay repayment.
2. How will I register for future classes if there is an outstanding balance on my account? Visit Student Accounting's Billing and Payment page for additional details.