HRSA OWEP

Dear Prospective HRSA Opioid Workforce Expansion Program (OWEP) Scholar,

In August 2019, the University of Pikeville was awarded an Opioid Workforce Expansion Program (OWEP) grant through the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration. This grant will provide a $10,000 stipend for 45 students who are interested in behavioral health social work practice with a focus on Opioid Use Disorders (OUD) and other Substance Use Disorders (SUD).

The MSW-OWEP students are selected through an application and interview process. In addition to the application for the MSW program, the MSW-OWEP students will be required to submit an additional application and two-page essay outlining their interest in becoming a behavioral health professional and working with OUD/SUD prevention and treatment, as well as in working with vulnerable and underserved populations. MSW Advanced Standing (30 hour) program students should submit the MSW-OWEP application at the same time they apply to the UPIKE MSW Program. Students who are enrolled in the Regular Standing (60 hour) program are encouraged to submit their MSW-OWEP application during their final spring semester in the generalist foundation MSW coursework. Students who show promise and passion will be invited via email to an interview utilizing video conferencing with a committee comprising MSW faculty and community partners.

If selected, students will be notified via email. Students who are offered and accept a position as a HRSA OWEP scholar must sign a commitment letter agreeing to the conditions of the award, which include but are not limited to: completing the specialization year, including 600 practicum hours, and graduating or risk having to pay the money back, attending online trainings and interprofessional education events, and upon graduation, seek employment in a high need area.

Students must be enrolled in the UPIKE School of Social Work MSW Program in order to receive stipend support in the OWEP Professionals program. In addition, students must be eligible to work in the United States. A student/trainee receiving support from grant funds must be a citizen of the United States or a foreign national having in his/her possession a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States.

Stipends are subsistence allowances for students/interns to help defray living expenses during the training experience, and are not provided as a condition of employment, or for tuition, fees, health insurance, or other costs associated with the training program.

No more than one year or 12 consecutive months of stipend support is allowed per full-time student. Further, the prospective recipient must certify through execution of a commitment letter that they are not presently debarred, suspended, proposed for debarment, declared ineligible, or voluntarily excluded from participation in this transaction by any federal department or agency.

Taxability of Stipends

Section 117 of the Internal Revenue Code applies to the tax treatment of scholarships and fellowships. Degree candidates may exclude from gross income (for tax purposes) any amount used for course tuition and related expenses such as fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction at a qualified educational organization. Non-degree candidates are required to report as gross income any monies paid on their behalf for stipends or any course tuition and fees required for attendance. The taxability of stipends in no way alters the relationship between fellows and sponsoring organizations. Stipends are not considered salaries. In addition, recipients of fellowships are not considered to be in an employee-employer relationship with the OPDIV or the sponsoring organization solely as a result of the fellowship award. The interpretation and implementation of the tax laws are the domain of the IRS and the courts. HHS takes no position on what the status may be for a particular taxpayer, and it does not have the authority to dispense tax advice. Individuals should consult their local IRS office about the applicability of the law to their situation and for information on their tax obligations.

Form 1099

Although stipends are not considered salaries, this income is still subject to Federal and, sometimes, State income tax. Such income may be reported by the sponsoring organization on IRS Form 1099, Statement of Miscellaneous Income. Normally, the business office of the sponsoring organization will be responsible for annually preparing and issuing IRS Form 1099 for fellows paid through the organization (fellows at domestic non-Federal organizations). Sponsoring organizations are not required to issue a Form 1099, but it is a useful form of documentation of income received and a reminder to the fellow that some tax liability may exist. Fellows are reminded that, even if the sponsoring organization does not issue a Form 1099, they still are required to report stipends as income.

**Please note that the HRSA OWEP stipend cannot be combined with any other federal assistance except for federal loans and Veteran’s Administration Benefits.

Your Information

First Name *

Middle Name

Last Name *

Street or PO Box *

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Email Address *

Home/Cell Phone Number *

Work Phone Number (if applicable)

Will you be employed during the MSW program? *

Yes, full-time Yes, part-time No Unsure

If you plan to work while enrolled, how many hours per week do you anticipate? Enter 0 or n/a if you will not be working. *

Do you have a valid state driver's license? *

Yes No

Will transportation be a problem for you? *

Yes No Maybe

If transportation will be or may be a problem, please explain.

Will you be available for nontraditional field hours (after 5pm and/or weekends)? *

Yes No Maybe

Will you be receiving any other financial assistance while enrolled? *

Yes No Unsure

If so, what is the source of financial assistance?

Personal/Professional Narrative

Narrative Prompt *

In a two page essay, please address the following:

Your interest becoming a behavioral health professional and working with OUD/SUD prevention and treatment; your interest in working with vulnerable and underserved populations; and what skills, knowledge, or experience do you have which prepares you for working with people who experience OUD/SUD?

This program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $750,000 with no percentage financed with nongovernmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

The University of Pikeville does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age or disabilities in its programs, activities, hiring or the admission of students.

The University of Pikeville School of Social Work is committed to nondiscrimination and providing equal education opportunities without regard to race, ethnicity, nationality, age, class, color, disability, gender, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status. The School does not discriminate based on the any of the aforementioned characteristics in policies related to admission and all related academic endeavors.

Submitter Information

Name: *

Email: *

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