What Is the HRSA Section 330 Program?
The Health Center Program, authorized under Section 330 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 254b), is the federal government's primary vehicle for funding community-based primary care. Administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Bureau of Primary Health Care (BPHC), the program funds Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to deliver comprehensive primary care, behavioral health, dental, and enabling services to medically underserved populations regardless of ability to pay.
The program is listed under CFDA 93.224 (now known as the Assistance Listing Number) and represents the largest federal investment in community-based primary care. In FY 2024, HRSA awarded over $6 billion through the Health Center Program, supporting nearly 1,400 health center organizations operating more than 15,000 service delivery sites nationwide. These health centers serve over 30 million patients annually, including populations experiencing homelessness, residents of public housing, migratory and seasonal agricultural workers, and residents of rural and urban medically underserved areas.
Section 330 Funding Streams
The Health Center Program operates through several distinct funding authorities, each targeting a specific population or need. Understanding these streams is critical because each carries its own eligibility criteria, reporting requirements, and compliance expectations.
| Funding Stream | Authorizing Section | Target Population |
|---|---|---|
| Community Health Centers (CHC) | 330(e) | Medically underserved areas/populations |
| Migrant Health Centers (MHC) | 330(g) | Migratory and seasonal agricultural workers |
| Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) | 330(h) | People experiencing homelessness |
| Public Housing Primary Care (PHPC) | 330(i) | Residents of public housing |
Many health centers hold multiple funding streams simultaneously — for example, a CHC with 330(e) base funding plus a 330(h) Homeless designation. Each stream adds service requirements, reporting obligations, and population-specific compliance expectations. Your UDS reporting must disaggregate data by funding stream, and your budget must demonstrate how funds are allocated across streams.
The Compliance Landscape
Health center compliance operates on multiple levels. At the federal level, Section 330 grantees must satisfy 19 Program Requirements established by BPHC, comply with the Uniform Administrative Requirements under 2 CFR Part 200, and meet the terms and conditions of their Notice of Award. Health centers that receive $750,000 or more in federal expenditures in a fiscal year must also complete a Single Audit under the provisions of Subpart F of 2 CFR 200.
Beyond the federal layer, health centers must comply with state licensure requirements, state-specific Medicaid managed care contracts, FTCA medical malpractice coverage requirements (for deemed health centers), and any supplemental funding requirements from state or local sources. The layered compliance environment is one of the primary reasons that health center grants management requires dedicated staff with deep program knowledge.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Health center grants managers track a continuous calendar of compliance deadlines. The major recurring obligations include:
| Deadline | Typical Due Date | Portal |
|---|---|---|
| UDS Annual Report | Mid-February (for prior calendar year) | EHBs |
| SF-425 Federal Financial Report | 30 days after each budget period quarter | EHBs |
| Non-Competing Continuation (NCC) | ~120 days before budget period start | EHBs |
| FTCA Deeming Application | Varies (typically annually) | EHBs |
| Single Audit (if applicable) | 9 months after fiscal year end | Federal Audit Clearinghouse |
| Service Area Competition (SAC) | Per NOFO (typically 3–5 year cycle) | EHBs |
FQHC Designation and Its Significance
Organizations that receive Section 330 grant funding are automatically designated as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). This designation unlocks significant financial benefits beyond the grant itself, including enhanced Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement through the Prospective Payment System (PPS), eligibility for the 340B Drug Pricing Program, National Health Service Corps (NHSC) site eligibility, and Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) medical malpractice coverage.
For many health centers, the value of FQHC designation — particularly enhanced reimbursement and 340B savings — far exceeds the dollar amount of the Section 330 grant itself. This is why maintaining compliance with the 19 Program Requirements is existential: losing the grant means losing the designation, which means losing the financial infrastructure that supports the entire organization. For a deeper look at how FQHC designation connects to your funding strategy, see our FQHC compliance portal.
How This Guide Is Organized
This guide is structured around the lifecycle of a Section 330 grant — from determining eligibility through ongoing compliance management. Each section is written for grants managers, compliance officers, and finance directors who manage Section 330 awards on a day-to-day basis.